Rangoon Ruby
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts I’m a huge fan of cranberry juice. I’d drink it all the time if I could. While it’s true I prefer to drink my cranberry with vodka or rum, I’m plenty happy drinking my cranberry juice with just club soda and ice, especially when it’s hot. And Oh. My. God. Has it been hot. I mean, absurdly hot. Breaking records hot.
Just as an example, two days ago it was 99° in downtown Los Angeles. It hasn’t been that hot in May in Los Angeles since 1890. That’s 124 years! And don’t give me that “well, at least it’s a dry heat”. It’s STILL HOT! Too hot, if you ask me… which I know you haven’t, but I’m telling you anyway.
When it’s this hot, and you don’t want to do anything, there’s one thing you absolutely must do – stay hydrated. So, you could drink lots and lots of water or you could mix it up like me. While I do drink lots of water during these blistering days, it’s not the only liquid passing my lips. Don’t get me wrong, the water’s great and all, but nothing beats a fizzy drink. A carbonated drink can be anything from ginger ale or an ice cold Diet Coke, to a tall glass of club soda with a splash or two of alcohol. You know what my first choice would be. So, what am I sipping to stay cool this week? During the day it’s a simple cranberry and soda. But as soon as that clock strikes 5 I add an ounce or two of alcohol. I mean vodka.
I usually like to have a Cape Codder or a Sea Breeze. But upon doing some research I discovered that the Cape Codder is actually a 60’s version of the Rangoon Ruby. Since I’m all about vintage cocktails, of course I’m going to bring you the classic rather than the remake (even though the remake is only about 10 years older). While the Cape Codder, or Red Devil as it was originally called, was simply cranberry juice and vodka, the Rangoon adds lime juice and that all important splash of soda. Just like the Mai Tai, the Rangoon was created by Vic Bergeron at the infamous Trader Vic’s in Oakland. He mixed up this cocktail some time in the 50’s when cranberry juice was becoming a popular mixer. Although cranberries aren’t considered a tropical fruit like the lychee or pineapple, the bright red color definitely gave the drink a tropical look making it the perfect addition to Trader Vic’s menu.
In short, if you’re looking for some relief from this suffocating heat, it’s true you could down those 8 glasses of iced water. But why not have a little fun and mix in a Rangoon Ruby or two? Not only are they sweeter than the water, they’re a lot more fun to drink.
Rangoon Ruby
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lime
- 2 oz. vodka
- 4 oz. cranberry juice
- splash of club soda
- sprig of mint
Directions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice. Squeeze in the lime juice and drop in the shell. Add the vodka and the cranberry juice. Top with soda and garnish with the sprig of mint. Serve.
