Madras Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Tart, potent and with a citrusy zing, the Madras cocktail is a refreshing crowd-pleaser.

Tonight’s cocktail put me in the mood for a little journey to India. Now, am I able to just pack an overnight bag and fly first-class to New Delhi? Of course not. But whenever I’m in the mood for a little adventure and the sights of the Taj Mahal, I’ll need look no further than the James Bond film Octopussy. The 1983 caper takes 007 through the casinos, crowded streets and unpredictable wilderness of the South Asian nation.

What does this have to do with the Madras, a potent and invigorating blend of vodka, cranberry and orange juice, stirred and served over ice? Well, this is where this concoction’s origins get a little interesting. The melding of the cranberry and orange juices gives the cocktail a distinct and purplish hue, reminiscent of the color of the Indian cotton known as Madras. When our drink, an inspired combination of the Screwdriver and Cape Cod, was first crafted, it resembled the popular and comfortable fabric.

While I personally couldn’t find or pinpoint when and where exactly the Madras drink was first created and served, it more than likely was born during the cranberry cocktail boom of the 1940s, when Ocean Spray began publishing pamphlets featuring drink recipes that utilized their tart, red product. Time has proven that cranberries are oftentimes a mixed drink’s best friend.

What Is The Best Vodka To Use In A Madras Cocktail?

With the use of cranberry and orange juices in this drink, choosing the perfect vodka to go with it is easy enough. You don’t want an overly sweet cocktail, where any one flavor is fighting with the others, so an unflavored spirit is the best choice. It’ll meld with the other notes, resulting in a crisp and balanced concoction.

FAQs & Tips

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Fill a highball glass with ice and mix your drink within, then squeeze a lime wedge over it and drop it on top for garnish.

CAN YOU STORE THE MADRAS COCKTAIL?

If you’re making a large batch of this recipe ahead of a party, combine the vodka, cranberry and orange juice together without ice and store in your fridge until you’re ready to serve, at least a few days before. Stir gently before pouring.

SHAKEN OR STIRRED?

For this recipe, we’ll keep it a stirred one, as shaking will froth the mixture and create a cloudy look. It’ll also dilute the drink.

Similar Drinks To The Madras Cocktail

Vodka and cranberry juice are a perfect pair, and there’s plenty of mixed drinks out there to prove it. If the charms of the Madras won you over and have you thirsty for even more tart and tangy drinks that favor it, Twist & Toast can provide the tastiest of recipes to keep your party going.

• Cranberry Moscow Mule – A classic, with the added deliciousness of cranberry.
• Cranberry Martini – Tart, strong and elegant.
• Oaks Lily – Vodka, cranberry and orange liqueur come together to make this concoction.
• Woo Woo – You’ll be wooed and wowed by this wonderful sipper.