One sip and you’ll be shouting this cocktail’s name—Woo Woo—all night long.
The sun was high in Cape Cod, with the bright blue sky carrying fluffy, puffy clouds as far as the eye can see. I was with the economy tour, so no enjoying the beautiful shoreline from a comfortable boat for me. The small group I was with hiked along the coast by foot, snapping selfies and constantly congratulating themselves for wearing the “right shoes” that day.
I befriended a retired marine biologist, who told me they gave it all up to be an importer/exporter for Vandelay Industries. Seeing I was both impressed and fascinated, my new friend regaled me with tales of New York City in the 1980s: the clubs, the clothes, and the cocktails. In fact, they still have an obsession with the popular mixed drinks of the era.
“I would wear pastels, listen to Jan Hammer records,” they recalled wistfully. “And I loved the drinks they’d serve in all the best bars: Fuzzy Navels, Silk Panties….”
“Silk Panties?” I asked, with a cocked eyebrow.
They shook their head and gave a dismissive wave. “It’s a cocktail. There were others I’d order all the time, too… Sea Breeze, Bay Breeze. I used to love a good Sex on the Beach while listening to Billy Ocean’s ‘Caribbean Queen’.”
“Are we still talking about cocktails?”
“And then there was my favorite, the Teeny Weeny Woo Woo.”
“Woo what?”
“No, Woo WOO. It’s a drink, basically a Vodka Cranberry, or….” They gestured toward the beaches of Cape Cod. “It’s also known as a Cape Cod or Cape Codder.”
“The Woo Woo?” I was getting confused. They shook their head.
“A Cape Cod is a Vodka Cranberry. You add peach schnapps to it, which was huge in the ’80s, and you have a Woo Woo.”
Finally understanding, and very thirsty, I suggested we break away from our hike and find someplace to have a few of these Woo Woos. They led me to the bar at the Crown & Anchor hotel, and we enjoyed a few Woo Woos, which were neither teeny nor weeny, but perfect for an evening by the sea.
What is the Best Vodka to Use in a Woo Woo?
I usually go with a rye vodka when mixing myself a drink, although recently I’ve become a big fan of Japanese Coffey still Vodka. This spirit is incredibly clean, crisp and smooth, melding with any cocktail’s other ingredients for a perfectly balanced experience. Potato vodka offers a fuller, creamier taste, while corn-distilled versions are a great option if you’re after a sweeter profile.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce peach schnapps
- 3 ounces cranberry juice
- ice cubes
- lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice cubes to chill the glass.
- Pour the vodka, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake the mixture vigorously for about 10 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
- Strain the cocktail into the prepared highball glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim of the glass.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Woo Woo cocktail!
FAQs & Tips
Pour your Woo Woo into a highball glass filled with ice, and pop a lime wheel on its rim for garnish.
You can premix this cocktail in larger batches and store it, covered, in your fridge for a day or so. Shake individual servings then pour over ice.
At 171 calories per serving, you can have more than one Woo Woo if you wish.
Woo Woo Variations
If the tart and sweet flavor of cranberry makes your mouth water, Twist & Toast has some tasty recipes for you to add to your cocktail arsenal. Check out these boozy creations and give them a spin this weekend. Then browse the site for even more delicious concoctions that you can try.
- Cape Cod – Combine vodka and cranberry juice to make this simple and classic cocktail.
- Long Beach Iced Tea – A West Coast–inspired version of the Long Island Iced Tea, featuring cranberry juice.
- Cranberry Whiskey Sour – A festive libation that Santa Claus would enjoy.
- Cranberry Calvados – Another perfect drink for the winter holidays.
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