Madras
A Madras combines vodka, orange juice and sweetened cranberry juice over ice for a citrus-forward long drink finished with an orange wedge.
Built to the standard modern spec; not yet tested in our kitchen. How we test.
The recipe.
Scaling adjusts quantities only. Prepare shaken drinks in individual portions.
Let’s make a good drink.
Fill a Collins glass with ice and choose a small common measure for the parts.
Add vodka, orange juice and cranberry juice in the listed ratio.
Stir gently until the liquids are evenly combined.
Garnish with an orange wedge and serve immediately.
A thoughtful finish
- The 9:15:10 ratio is the exact scaled form of the published 1½:2½:1⅔ ratio.
- Measure all three liquids with the same chosen part size.
- Use orange juice without extra added sweeteners when possible.
Common mistakes
- Treating each listed part as a full ounce would create an oversized drink.
- Using unsweetened cranberry concentrate changes the source’s intended balance.
- Adding grenadine for color introduces another sweetener that this formula does not contain.
A few good questions.
Why does this Madras list nine parts vodka?
The published fractional ratio is multiplied by six to avoid rounding a repeating third; it does not mean nine ounces.
What is the difference between Madras and Bay Breeze?
Madras uses orange juice where Bay Breeze uses pineapple juice.
Is Madras shaken?
This version is built and gently stirred in the serving glass.
Can I adjust the glass size?
Yes. Change the common part measure, preserving the ratio for every liquid.
Variations
- Without garnish — serving adaptation — Keep the liquid ratio and omit the orange wedge if preferred.
- Smaller serving — serving adaptation — Use a smaller common part measure and leave room for ice in the glass.
Where it comes from
A Madras combines vodka, orange juice and sweetened cranberry juice over ice for a citrus-forward long drink finished with an orange wedge.
Sources
- Scott van Dort / Absolut Drinks — Madras, 2024 (company source) link
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