Bay Breeze recipe
A tart and tropical combination of vodka, cranberry, and pineapple.
Method: Build ·
Glass: Highball glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Highball Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Vodka
- 3 oz Cranberry juice (Unsweetened or tart)
- 3 oz Pineapple juice (Freshly pressed preferred)
How to make a Bay Breeze
- Fill a highball glass completely with fresh ice cubes.
- Pour the vodka directly over the ice.
- Add the cranberry juice and pineapple juice.
- Stir gently for 5 seconds to integrate the components without losing carbonation or chilling too fast.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and a small pineapple wedge on the rim.
Garnish
Lime wheel and pineapple wedge
Pro tip
Use 100% tart cranberry juice and balance with fresh pineapple juice to avoid an overly cloying sweetness.
History of the Bay Breeze
Emerging during the juice-mixer cocktail boom of the 1980s as a refreshing spin on the Cape Codder, the exact origin of pairing vodka with cranberry and pineapple remains lightly documented, popularized across American resort bars. Modern bartenders still keep Bay Breeze in circulation because the recipe shows a clear point of view without needless decoration.
Flavour profile
Tart, Fruity, Refreshing
Variations
- Sea Breeze — Substitute grapefruit juice for the pineapple juice for a sharper citrus profile.
- Malibu Bay Breeze — Substitute coconut-flavored rum for the vodka to add tropical richness.
- Malibu Sunset — Layer grenadine at the base before building the standard Bay Breeze for a sunset gradient effect.
Practise making the Bay Breeze in the free Virtual Bar game.