Frozen Cape Codder Slushies are refreshing, sweet, and tart all in one sip! Cool off on a frosty version of the summertime classic cocktail made with fresh simmered cranberries and vodka!
Clear out a dedicated space in your freezer, because you're going to need to keep these frosty tart sips of boozy deliciousness on hand all summer long. And just real quick you guys, fresh cranberry juice is so stinking simple and ooooh, so good.
Also, the solid amount of vodka doesn't hurt either. Because....2020 ya'll...she been RUDE. So hurry up, get a saucepan and pull those fresh crans out of the freezer and let's make ourselves something to sip on while we enjoy the sunshine.
This post is sponsored by Cape Cod Select Cranberries as part of a blogger recipe challenge. They're fresh cranberries you keep in the freezer so you can have perfect fresh crans all year long. I love them and hope you do too!
There is something so classic and wonderful about the combination of vodka and cranberry. Maybe it's me and that if I could only drink cosmos and cranberry cocktails for the rest of my life, I'd be 100% ok with that. It also plays on my New England heart so hard. We're known for cranberries, and if drinking a cranberry cocktail is supporting local business, well then FILL THAT GLASS UP.
Our cranberry recognition throughout the states is also how this drink gets its name. Called a cape codder or just a cape cod, the name refers to the fruit famously grown in the bogs on the south shore of Massachusetts and Cape Cod.
How to make Frozen Cape Codder Slushies
Great news! Cran slushies only take 5 ingredients to make and its stuff you probably already have around the house. Here's what you'll need:
- Cape Cod Select Frozen Cranberries
- water
- granulated sugar
- lemon juice (freshly squeezed or bottled)
- orange juice (freshly squeezed or bottled)
- vodka
First you'll make the cranberry juice. Combine everything but the vodka in a large saucepan and bring to boil, then simmer. Let it cool just a smidge so it's easier to handle then strain. You'll want to press the cranberries against a fine mesh strainer or fine, small-holed colander.
You can either discard the solids or hold on to them to spread on toast or flatbreads - it's super delicious and just the right amount of tart and sweet.
Then just let the fresh cranberry juice cool long enough so the alcohol in the vodka doesn't cook off before stirring it in and freezing the mixture overnight.
why doesn't it freeze completely?
The alcohol in the vodka doesn't freeze, so the balance between non-alcoholic mixer and vodka keeps this cocktail the perfect balance of slushie when it comes out of the freezer.
how to store it in the freezer
Whatever way is easiest for you is the quick answer. Something that will be level and not spill because no one enjoys a mess.
My go-to tip for making any boozy slushie is to carefully pour it in a plastic zip freezer bag, then lay it in a deep-sided storage container.
- the container keeps the bag from squishing all around and potentially leaking
- the bag makes it easy to break up the slush and serve right away
how to serve your vodka cranberry slushies
The classic garnish is a slice of lime, but I like to toss are few whole cranberries on top for added flair. Serve them with a straw or spoon because they can be sipped or eaten like a treat.
These drinks are awesome to enjoy outside on a hot day, around the pool, or when you're grilling up food. The tart and sweet taste goes great with grilled chicken and veggies or a cool and fresh summer salad and flatbreads.
Crazy for cranberries like we are? For more cran-tastic recipe ideas, follow Cape Cod Select Cranberries, on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out where you can pick up your own bag of cranberries right here!
If you made this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below! Don’t forget to snap a pic of your creation and post it with the pin for others to see!
Cape Codder Slushies
Ingredients
- 4 cups frozen cranberries
- 4 cups water
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1 ¾ cup vodka
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine the 4 cups cranberries, 4 cups water, ¾ cup sugar, and ¼ cup lemon juice. Bring to a boil over high heat, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Once the ingredients come to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Let the pan sit uncovered for 5 minutes. Strain the cranberries through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing the cranberries into the strainer with a rubber spatula.
- Allow the cranberry juice to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before stirring in the 1 ¾ cup vodka. Carefully pour the mixture into a plastic zip bag and place it in a flat bottom container in the freezer overnight or at least 8 hours.
- Scoop into your favorite glassware and serve with the classic fresh lime garnish.
Notes
- When straining the solids from the cranberry juice, press the cranberries into the mesh strainer and discard the solids as needed. Leftover cranberries skins make for a perfect simple jam and is great on toast!
- You can store the slushie liquid in any container that works for you, the plastic storage bags make breaking apart the slush nice and easy when it first comes out of the freezer. It could also be scooped - like Italian ice - out of a container.
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