The Cape Cod, or as we say it up here "Cape Coddah."

the Cape Cod

It was on a warm evening in late July 1987 when I first heard the name Cape Cod referenced as a drink. My best friend and I were on vacation visiting my family here in Maine and had decided that life in the slow lane was a bit too slow for our liking. My dear Ma directed us to a small bar over in South Portland called the Snow-bowl or Snow dove or some such stupid name. I suppose Ma figured for her adventurous and wayward son from the big city, such a place was sophisticated enough to sooth my restlessness. Little did she know that I preferred a good Pub above all things then (still do) and that any place in which the staff wore red vests made my skin itch.

Sure enough as we strolled into that painfully empty bar, my eye fell upon the bartender's bright red vest flashing in the overhead lights as she worked her bulk wiping the counter with a rag. Damn, sold out by me own mother! But you just can't leave and not give it a chance now can you? Cause if you  bolt, you are left with telling the lie to the woman who raised you next day when she asks; "how did you like the place?" So with a grimace and a sigh Jim and I walked up like two condemned men knowing the next half hour was going to be slow and painful. Putting on my best plastic smile I looked right at the little round woman and said; " Evening, I'll have a Stoli's and Cranberry please."

Without missing a beat and with a somewhat shrill New England accent she squawks; " oh a Cape Coddah!"

"Excuse me, what?"
"a Cape Coddah" Smiling at me like I'm some sort of special needs case, though we didn't call them that back then.

"No, I'd like a Stolichnaya and cranberry juice, thank you, not a Gabe Kotter or whatever it is you said."

Jim gave a bit of a snicker and headed off to pick a place to sit.

Squinting her beady eyes a bit at me she let out an irritated little grunt, which made me think of her rooting around in a pen, and then she tried to recover with an explanation: "A Cape Coddah, is from Cape Cod Massachusetts its made with vodka, cranberry juice, seltzer water, and lime."

"Oh Yeah? give me one of those then, only without the seltzer water, or the lime, and make the vodka Stolichnaya. Sounds grand! Thanks."

With a bit of a snarl she mixed it up a slid it over and in return I gave her my very best smarmy smile and a thanks then went to join my friend. My confusion and irritation lay in the fact that I had been drinking Vodka Cranberries for two years before anyone called it anything but simply, a Vodka Cranberry. Why would you have to name something so ridiculously simple as that? Obviously someone felt the need to brand it, for whatever reason. Maybe they thought it would somehow make it special or cool sounding, I guess they were right because if my four foot five, two hundred pound server knew the name, it had to be at least as famous as Ho-Ho snack cakes. With which, I am quite positive, she was rather well acquainted.

But putting red vests, screeching Harpys, and Ho-Ho's aside, the Cape Cod really is a great, refreshing highball cocktail that can be enjoyed year round. There are two schools of thought on how to make these simple drinks and I have given the methods for both below.

Ingredients:
2 Ounces Vodka (Stolichnaya or Grey Goose)
3-4 ounces Cranberry Juice
Lime for garnish

Method #1:
Fill either a rocks or highball glass with ice, add vodka, top off with cranberry juice, stir, add lime wedge for garnish and serve.

Method#2:
Fill a Highball glass with ice, add vodka, add 3 ounces cranberry juice, top off with club soda, squeeze lime wedge over the drink to add juice, stir and serve.

Being a purist I prefer method one when making these, but for those of you who find cranberry juice too acidic cutting it with club soda, as in method two, will probably work best. Either way this drink, which for me brings back fond memories of the Reagan era, will bring a smile to your face with its rich bold flavor.

A side note: As you should already know if you ask for a Cape Cod or Vodka Cranberry in a bar, they will generally make it with well stock. Which are the bottles of lower grade spirits that they keep in the serving well. This of course will suffice after you have had a couple, but to get the full benefit of this or any drink I suggest asking by brand. I.e. your favorite liquor. Hence my asking for a "Stoli's and Cranberry", or Bulliet Rye Old fashioned when out and about. By doing so you have quietly and nonchalantly caught your server's attention. You have in essence said: I enjoy good spirits and appreciate their quality. A good barman or barwoman, will remember your drink choice much easier and, service level generally will be raised just a bit in your favor.

Lastly as this fair beverage comes from Massachusetts I think it only appropriate to leave you with another awesome gift from that state, the Dropkick Murphy's!

Cheers
AL