Cape Codder Berry Smash

East Coast Libations

This Cape Codder Berry Smash is a refreshing summer cocktail that combines tart cranberry juice, sweet strawberries, wild blueberries, vanilla vodka, and a splash of key lime juice. Shaken ice cold in a Ball canning jar and served over plenty more ice, this simple berry vodka cocktail is perfect for backyard gatherings, lake days, or relaxing on the patio.

I’m heading to Walt Disney World this weekend for a bucket list stay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. As I was making my list of all the food and drinks I HAVE to try, I spotted a Cape Codder on the pool bar menu.

It immediately took me back to my bartending days when we had an older gentleman who rode his bicycle to the bar every afternoon. He always ordered one classic cocktail, and a Cape Codder was one of his favorites.

I learned to make so many drinks becauase of him. His name was Eddie.

If you’ve never had one, it’s simply vodka, cranberry juice, and lime. I decided to give it a Fourth of July Tipsy makeover by adding sweet strawberries, tart wild blueberries, and a little vanilla.

The result is this Cape Codder Berry Smash, and I have a feeling it’ll be making an appearance at every backyard barbecue and lake weekend for the rest of the summer.

What Is A TRUE Cape Codder?

The Cape Codder is a classic American cocktail made with vodka, cranberry juice, and a squeeze of fresh lime. It became popular in the 1960s when cranberry growers helped promote cranberry juice as a cocktail mixer, and it was named after Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Massachusetts is one of the country’s most famous cranberry-growing regions. You know where else they grow cranberries?

In Eagle River, Wisconsin near my lake house!

Its simple combination of sweet, tart, and refreshing flavors has made it a bar menu staple for decades. This Cape Codder Berry Smash keeps those classic flavors but mine adds strawberries, wild blueberries, and a hint of vanilla.

This is a fun summertime twist that’s perfect for the Fourth of July or a day by the pool.

Key Lime Juice

Nellie and Joe’s Key Lime Juice is the best. I like to use the bottled key lime juice for this recipe because I think it has a smoother, slightly sweeter flavor than regular lime juice. You can usually find it in either the baking aisle with the bottled citrus juices or in the liquor and cocktail mixer section of most grocery stores. Make sure to make the key lime pie recipe that is on the bottle.

Wild Blueberries

I really like using frozen wild blueberries in this recipe. They have a brighter, slightly more tart flavor than the larger blueberries you’ll usually find in the produce section. Their smaller size also means you get more berry flavor in every sip. You can typically find frozen wild blueberries in the organic frozen fruit section of most grocery stores. If you can’t find them, regular frozen blueberries work just fine and will still make a delicious cocktail.

Frozen Is Best

I prefer using frozen fruit instead of fresh. It helps keep the cocktail ice cold without watering it down as quickly. As the fruit slowly softens, it also releases even more berry flavor into the drink, making every sip just a little better than the last.

Make A Batch

This recipe is also easy to turn into a batch cocktail for a party. Simply multiply the ingredients by however many servings you need. Then combine everything except the ice in a large beverage dispenser or pitcher. Keep it chilled in the refrigerator, then add plenty of ice and the frozen fruit just before serving . The drink stays nice and cold without becoming watered down. If you’d like, you can even freeze extra strawberries and wild blueberries to use as edible “ice cubes” that keep the drinks cold while looking festive.

Make For Twenty

If you’re serving a crowd, this cocktail is easy to make ahead! For about 20 servings, combine 2 1/2 cups frozen wild blueberries, 40 frozen strawberries, 5 cups cranberry juice, 2 1/2 cups key lime juice, 2 1/2 cups vanilla vodka (about a 750 mL bottle plus 2 ounces), and 20 pumps vanilla syrup you use for coffee (or about 1 1/4 cups if you’re using a pump bottle) in a large beverage dispenser or drink bucket. Stir well and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

Just before serving, add 10 to 12 cups of ice and give everything a good stir. Ladle into glasses filled with fresh ice, making sure everyone gets a few of the berries, or let guests serve themselves. For an extra festive touch, freeze additional strawberries and wild blueberries to use as edible ice cubes that will keep the drinks cold without watering them down.

Fourth Of July Fun

I also love serving this for the Fourth of July because it’s a fun little red, white, and blue cocktail. The strawberries and cranberry juice bring the red, the wild blueberries add the blue, and while vanilla is technically brown, vanilla vodka is crystal clear, so I’m counting that as the white! It’s a festive drink that looks just as good as it tastes.

Other Cocktails To Make

I have quite a few cocktails to make for the fourth that can be made for a crowd. I love my Tipsy Margarita in batch form. I also love my Azalea Cocktail and my Pantry Drinks! Have fun responsibly!

No Alcohol, No Problem

To make this a mocktail, replace the vanilla vodka with 1/2 cup lemon-lime soda, sparkling water, or club soda, plus 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or 2 to 3 pumps of vanilla coffee syrup if you have it). Shake everything together just like the original recipe and serve over plenty of ice.

If you want it to feel a little more “cocktail-like,” use plain sparkling water for a crisp finish. If you’re serving kids or anyone with a sweet tooth, lemon-lime soda makes it taste like a fizzy berry punch. Either way, you’ll still get all of the bright cranberry, lime, strawberry, and blueberry flavors that make this drink so refreshing.

Make It Smooth With Vanilla

The vanilla might seem like an unusual addition, but it really helps mellow out the tartness of the cranberry juice and the sharp bite of the lime. You don’t end up with a vanilla-flavored cocktail—instead, the vanilla syrup or a small splash of vanilla extract simply rounds out all the flavors, making the drink taste smoother, more balanced, and less puckery while still letting the fruit shine.