This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.
Cocktail History
The Bay Breeze is a modern cocktail that was most likely created in the 1980s by Ocean Spray and the Cranberry Growers Association during a push to sell more cranberries in the United States. The recipe is made with just three ingredients—cranberry juice, vodka, and pineapple juice—all of which are mixed right in the glass, making the drink extremely easy and palatable to the masses.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Cranberry Juice: This is the liquid juice of a fresh cranberry. I used Simple Organic Cranberry Cocktail.
Vodka: This is a spirit made with grains, vegetables or fruits, and alcohol. I used Belvedere Vodka.
Pineapple Juice: This is the liquid juice of a pineapple. I used fresh pineapple juice.
Lime Wheel: This is a lime slice that has been cut into a circular shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Chef’s Knife: This is used to cut larger ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips 8-Inch Chef’s Knife.
Pineapple Corer: This is used to remove the core of the pineapple before it’s juiced. I used the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer.
Juicer: This is used to juice ingredients. I used the Hamilton Beach Pro Juice Extractor.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut smaller ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2024-10-12.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Bright magenta pink color
• Aroma: Bright pineapple
• Taste: Straightforward sweet pineapple flavor mixed with slightly tart cranberry
• Finish: Alcohol burn mixed with bitter cranberry
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “As far as easy cocktails go, this one couldn’t be simpler given that it’s made with vodka and a couple of fruit juices. I’ll be honest, I expected a lot more from the Bay Breeze. It’s one of the most frequently searched cocktails on the web, after all, but it just didn’t do much for me. I like to be wowed by my drinks these days and crave at least a bit of contemplation as I sip. Maybe if I’d started out with it like so many people do, I’d be more fond of it, but there are droves of beachy recipes that are ten times better than this one. It would be extremely palatable for a group at a summer get-together though, so don’t write it off based on my word alone.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Liquor.com, an online beverage publication.
Bay Breeze
The Bay Breeze is a modern cocktail that was most likely created in the 1980s by Ocean Spray and the Cranberry Growers Association during a push to sell more cranberries in the United States. The recipe is made with just three ingredients—cranberry juice, vodka, and pineapple juice—all of which are mixed right in the glass, making the drink extremely easy and palatable to the masses.
Ingredients
Method
-
Add cranberry juice, vodka, pineapple juice, and cubed ice to a highball glass.
-
Stir for 10-15 seconds.
-
Garnish with lime wheel.
