NOW EXPERIENCING:Seabreeze cocktail recipe
Cocktails|Fruity|Christmas|Vodka

Seabreeze cocktail recipe

total time 3 MINS | serves 1 | standard drinks per serve 1.6 approx.

Read time 2 Mins

Posted 14 Jan 2025

By
Ben Hansen


The classic Seabreeze summer cocktail mixes vodka with cranberry juice and pink grapefruit juice

Simplicity is the key to this pretty summer classic, where less equals more.

About the cocktail

  • Picture this: it’s a sun-drenched arvo and you’re hanging with friends al fresco over a lazy afternoon that will inevitably turn into evening. A gentle breeze drifts by, carrying with it the promise of something refreshing. Enter the Seabreeze – the quintessential summer cocktail that’s been making waves since at least the 1980s.
  • Born during the heyday of bright and easy cocktails, the Seabreeze quickly became a staple, thanks to its simple yet refreshing mix of just three ingredients. With every sip, the tartness of cranberry juice dances with the zesty notes of pink grapefruit, all lifted by the smooth kick of vodka. It’s a flavour combo almost as refreshing as a quick dip in the sea.
  • What makes the Seabreeze so popular is its effortless charm. It’s not just a drink; it’s an experience. Served in a fun, tall glass and garnished with a lime wedge, it looks as striking as a summer sunset. The balance of sweet and sour will keep you coming back for more, and its minimal ingredients mean you can whip one up super quick.
  • Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or just after a no-fuss refresher, the Seabreeze is the perfect drink for warmer weather. Ideal for celebratory soirées or just lounging on the balcony, this is a quintessential summer cocktail that never goes out of style.

Watch: How to make a Seabreeze

Ingredients

  • 50mL vodka
  • 75mL cranberry juice
  • 30mL pink grapefruit juice
  • Glass: highball
  • Garnish: lime wedge

Method

  1. Add all ingredients into your glass
  2. Add plenty of ice cubes and stir well to combine 
  3. Garnish with a lime wedge

Dan’s top tips

  • With just three ingredients, there’s nowhere to hide in this drink when it comes to flavour. That means choosing the freshest, highest-quality ingredients you can find. Grab a good cranberry juice and pink grapefruit juice, as these are the stars of the show. Their tart sourness will also encourage you to sip and savour, which is just what you need after a big day out in the sun.
  • Your choice of vodka also plays a big part in the drink’s overall balance, as anything that’s not great quality will stand out like a bad spray tan. This is one of those cocktails where it pays to go for a bottle of the good stuff.
The simple Seabreeze cocktail is a refreshing mix, garnished with fresh lime
Holding the classic vodka cocktail, the Seabreeze
image credits: Shelley Horan (photography), Raye Scerri (videography), Bridget Wald (styling), LSS (production)