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–+ servings

Red Zone Cocktail

Red Zone Cocktail Recipe
A bold, game day–ready Red Zone Cocktail made with smooth vodka (or whiskey), cranberry juice, triple sec, and lemonade. It’s refreshing, perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, and simple enough to shake up for any watch party or casual get-together.
John
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Serving Size 1 cocktail

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Jigger
  • Tall glass or highball glass
  • Bar spoon
  • Strainer
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Ice scoop or tongs

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz vodka or swap in Jack Daniel’s or Woodford Reserve if you like whiskey
  • 1 oz triple sec or Cointreau
  • 2 oz cranberry juice
  • 1 oz lemonade
  • Ice cubes for shaking and serving
  • Apple slices or lemon wedge for garnish
  • Soda water splash, optional, for a lighter bubbly twist

Instructions

  • Chill your tall glass or highball glass in the freezer for a few minutes so the drink stays extra cold.
  • Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes.
  • Pour in the vodka (or whiskey), triple sec, cranberry juice, and lemonade.
  • Shake for about 10 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker feels frosty and cold.
  • Fill the chilled tall glass or highball glass with fresh ice cubes.
  • Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass over the fresh ice.
  • If you like, top with a splash of soda water for a lighter, bubbly twist.
  • Garnish with apple slices or a lemon wedge on the rim and serve right away.

Notes

Clear, full-size ice cubes melt more slowly and keep the Red Zone Cocktail colder without watering it down too quickly. Crushed ice tends to dilute the drink faster and can mute the cranberry flavor.
If you swap in Woodford Reserve or another whiskey, skip the triple sec and increase the lemonade slightly to balance the spice and warmth of the whiskey.
A quick taste before serving lets you adjust the balance: add a little more lemonade for extra citrus, or a splash more cranberry juice if you want a sharper tart note.
Right out of the shaker and into a chilled glass is the sweet spot—serve immediately so the ruby color stays bright and the flavor stays crisp.
Always enjoy responsibly, especially on game day when it’s easy to pour another round.