Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: Tart cranberry juice and sweet pineapple juice are perfectly paired in this fruity and refreshing Bay Breeze cocktail. This cocktail recipe is easy and so refreshing!
How long it takes: 5 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: ice, glass (or a pitcher if you’re making a big batch).
Servings: 1
Always in Season!
A Bay Breeze cocktail is often served in the summer because it’s so refreshing. Pineapple juice reminds you of a tropical island, perfect for the balmy days of summer. However, if you’re looking for a winter cocktail, cranberry juice makes a Bay Breeze a festive cocktail for the holiday season, too. It’s a winning combo all year round!
Bay Breeze cocktail
Easy to make. This is such a simple cocktail recipe and doesn’t require any last-minute fussing. It only has three ingredients: pineapple juice, cranberry juice, and vodka. A Bay Breeze cocktail is a cinch to make!
Make it ahead. You can easily mix up a big batch, put it in the fridge, and enjoy a cocktail whenever you want. It keeps well for several days. Make a pitcher if you have a crowd coming over and your bartending responsibilities will be vastly simplified.
Goes well with appetizers. A Bay Breeze cocktail goes well with appetizers because it’s not too filling or sweet. Serve it with smoky roasted almonds, candied bacon, or bacon-wrapped dates. Potato chips and homemade French onion dip are always a hit and you can never go wrong with freshly baked tortilla chips and salsa. If you’re looking for something more substantial, make a crowd-pleasing pan of ham and cheese sliders or turkey sliders.
Ingredient Notes
- Cranberry juice – There are a few choices for cranberry juice, sweetened (cranberry juice cocktail), unsweetened (100% cranberry juice), and a cranberry juice blend that’s mixed with 3 other fruit juices which add natural sweetness. I prefer the third option but choose the one you like best.
- Pineapple juice – I usually use canned pineapple juice.
- Vodka – Since you’re mixing the vodka with other ingredients, you can choose a mid-range vodka, such as Tito’s.
- Lots of ice – Crushed or cubed both work. Keep in mind that if you use crushed, it will melt faster and dilute the cocktail.
- Garnishes – To make your Bay Breeze special, add any of these garnishes: lime slice, maraschino cherry, or fresh cranberries.
How to make a Bay Breeze
As always, get the full printable instructions in the recipe card below!
No special equipment needed! This is a super easy cocktail to make, You won’t need a citrus juicer, a cocktail shaker, special glasses, or any unusual ingredients. It’s very straight-forward.
Combine ingredients. Grab a glass and fill it almost to the top with ice. Add cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and vodka. Stir lightly, and add a garnish. That’s it!
Easy Recipe Variations
- Use a cocktail shaker. Instead of serving this cocktail over ice, put all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker, shake for 15 seconds, or until chilled, and then strain into a glass to serve. You won’t have to worry about the ice diluting your cocktail as it melts. I prefer this option when I’m serving this cocktail during the colder months.
- Make a party-sized batch. For 8 servings, mix 2 cups vodka, 3 cups cranberry juice, and 3 cups pineapple juice in a large pitcher. Chill until ready to use.
- Malibu Bay Breeze: This variation contains coconut flavored rum instead of vodka. A popular brand of coconut flavored rum is Malibu Rum but any brand will work.
- Sea Breeze: Replace the pineapple juice in a Bay Breeze with grapefruit juice. I love this combination!
Mix the cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and vodka, cover and store in the fridge in a covered container. It should keep for several days. When ready to serve, shake or stir well, and serve over ice.
More Cocktail Recipes
Bay Breeze Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ounces cranberry juice, chilled (see note)
- 3 ounces pineapple juice, chilled
- 2 ounces vodka, chilled
Garnishes (optional)
- lime slice
- maraschino cherry
- fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail glass about ¾ full of ice. I like to use a highball or old-fashioned glass but a stemless wine glass would work well, too.
- Pour cranberry juice, and pineapple juice, and vodka over the ice; stir lightly to combine.3 ounces cranberry juice, chilled, 3 ounces pineapple juice, chilled, 2 ounces vodka, chilled
- Garnish with a lime slice, maraschino cherry, and/or cranberries, if desired.
Notes
- Cranberry juice: There are three choices for cranberry juice. If you like a cocktail that’s tangy, use unsweetened 100% cranberry juice. If you prefer things a bit sweeter, use 100% juice cranberry blend (no sugar added), which is cranberry juice mixed with apple, grape, and pear juice. The sweetest option is cranberry juice cocktail which has added sugar. I usually use the unsweetened cranberry juice blend.
- With a cocktail shaker: Instead of serving this cocktail over ice, put all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker, shake for 15 seconds, or until chilled, and then strain into a glass to serve.
- Make a pitcher (make ahead): To make a party-sized batch (8 servings), mix 2 cups vodka, 3 cups cranberry juice, and 3 cups pineapple juice in a large pitcher. This mixture will keep for several days in the refrigerator. Stir well before serving over ice.
- Variations: Substitute coconut flavored rum instead of vodka to make a Malibu Bay Breeze. To make a Sea Breeze, replace the pineapple juice with grapefruit juice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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