Name: Grape Ape Cocktail
Prep time: 4 min
Ingredients: 1.5 oz grape vodka; 0.5 oz blue curaçao; 2 oz cranberry juice; Lemon-lime soda (to top); 1 lemon wheel (for garnish)

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The Grape Ape Cocktail is a vibrant, fruit-forward drink that’s as visually striking as it is refreshing. With a base of smooth grape vodka, this cocktail blends the citrusy punch of blue curaçao and the tart richness of cranberry juice for a bold and flavorful mix. A splash of lemon-lime soda adds a bubbly lift, making it a light and easy sipper for any occasion. Its deep, jewel-toned hue and crisp finish make it perfect for parties, happy hour, or casual get-togethers. Garnished with a bright lemon wheel, this cocktail is a colorful crowd-pleaser with a playful, fruity twist.

Tasting Notes

The Grape Ape Cocktail is a bold, fun drink with layers of fruity flavor and vibrant color. It opens with the candy-like sweetness of grape vodka, followed by the crisp citrus tang of cranberry juice. Blue curaçao adds a subtle orange twist and a brilliant purple hue when mixed. Topped with effervescent lemon-lime soda, the result is refreshing, slightly tart, and deliciously fizzy. The lemon wheel garnish adds a zesty aroma and visual flair, making this cocktail both easy to sip and impossible to ignore. It’s a sweet, citrusy showstopper—perfect for parties, game nights, or late-night lounging.

Equipment and Glassware

This Grape Ape Cocktail is a breeze to mix with just a few essentials. A jigger helps measure ingredients accurately, while a bar spoon or stirring stick ensures gentle mixing without flattening the soda. No shaker is required—this is a build-in-glass drink. Serve it in a highball or Collins glass to show off the deep purple color and give room for ice and soda. A citrus knife and board will help you slice the lemon wheel garnish neatly. For extra chill and presentation, pre-chill your glass or use crushed or pebble ice to keep things cool and inviting.

Ingredients

1.5 oz grape vodka
0.5 oz blue curaçao
2 oz cranberry juice
lemon-lime soda, to top
1 lemon wheel, for garnish

Instructions

Build or Shake: Add grape vodka, blue curaçao, and cranberry juice to a shaker with ice. Shake or stir to combine.
Strain: Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
Top: Add lemon-lime soda and stir gently.
Garnish: Add a lemon wheel to the rim or float it in the glass.

Pro Tips

Want a sweeter drink? Use cranberry cocktail instead of 100% juice.
For extra flair, rim the glass with purple sugar or citrus zest and sugar.
Chill all your ingredients ahead of time for extra crispness without over-dilution.

When to Serve

The Grape Ape Cocktail is perfect for playful occasions and casual get-togethers. Its sweet, fruity flavor and fun color make it a natural fit for parties, birthdays, game nights, or themed events. It’s also a great choice for late-night cocktails, bachelorette parties, or nostalgic ‘90s throwback nights. With its approachable flavor and vibrant purple hue, it appeals to a wide crowd and works well as a signature drink or festive punch base. Serve it whenever the mood calls for a good time—and a cocktail that’s as bold in flavor as it is in color.

Which Liquor Brands to Choose

For grape vodka, Three Olives Grape and UV Grape Vodka are popular and flavorful options that blend easily in cocktails.
For blue curaçao, try Bols, Giffard, or DeKuyper for vivid color and true citrus flavor.
Use a lemon-lime soda like Sprite, 7UP, or Sierra Mist—or opt for a craft version like Q Mixers Lemon-Lime for a less sweet option.
Choose Ocean Spray cranberry juice for a balanced base, or 100% juice for a drier twist.
These brands ensure that the Grape Ape Cocktail is not just bright and bold, but smooth and satisfying with every sip.

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