For inside tips on cranberry vodka drinks, we talked to Casey Phillips, one of the night bartenders at The Banana Factory. Located a mile north of the Sarasota International Airport in Bradenton, Florida, The Banana Factory is a favorite destination for locals and tourists alike.
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Casey Phillis's Picks
- Cranberry Vodka Martini
- Madras
- Jaded
- Black Tart
Cranberry Vodka Martini
How do you make it?
Ingredients:
3 1/2 ounces cranberry infused vodka
A cranberry vodka martini is best served chilled and strained. To make the premier yet simple cranberry vodka martini, mix three and a half ounces cranberry-infused vodka and half an ounce cranberry juice. Shake gently and strain into a chilled martini glass. You can garnish with an orange to offset the tartness. Serving the crantini with a sugar-rimmed glass is always a hit with the ladies.
How would you describe its taste?
I would describe a cranberry vodka martini as slightly tart, but very refreshing.
When is it best to drink?
A cranberry vodka martini is great after, or during, a hot Florida day. Here in the Sarasota area, just about any day is great for a crantini.
Who drinks it?
At the Banana Factory, women tend to enjoy these flavored vodka drinks -- like cranberry vodka -- more than men.
Madras
How do you make it?
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces cranberry vodka
How would you describe its taste?
A Madras has a bitter yet satisfying taste to it. If mixed right, you will be able to taste all the elements of the drink -- both the orange juice and the cranberry.
When is it best to drink?
It is best to drink a Madras after or during a hot day here in Florida. Basically any day is a good day at the Banana Factory to drink a Madras.
Who drinks it?
Madrases are ordered more by ladies. However, men occasionally order one for themselves. There's no specific age range. You just have to be a vodka drinker.
Jaded
How do you make it?
Ingredients:
1 ounce cranberry vodka
How would you describe its taste?
[A] Jaded is fruity to taste and very refreshing. Imagine a bowl of Froot Loops cereal with alcohol added to it. That is a Jaded cocktail. No matter how you serve it, it is typically always a hit with the up-north tourist. It's very tropical.
When is it best to drink?
When unwinding from a long day at the beach, or even while on the beach. It is a tropical drink, so anytime in or out of the sun is a great time to enjoy a Jaded. Here in Florida, we don't need an excuse to drink a Jaded. The weather is beautiful most of the year.
Who drinks it?
More women than men order Jaded [cocktails]. It is more of a frou-frou mixed cocktail than a straight cocktail.
Black Tart
How do you make it?
Ingredients:
1/2 ounce cranberry vodka
How would you describe its taste?
A Black Tart is a tropical drink that is very tart, yet is very refreshing in taste. No matter how you serve it, you can't go wrong.
When is it best to drink?
On the weekends while out with the girlfriends, or watching the sun set on one of the many white sand beaches around Sarasota is a great time to drink a Black Tart.
Who drinks it?
A lot of older women drink this. It is a fruity yet tart drink that the tourists from up north like. It is a tropical, Florida drink.
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Photo: Bartender Casey Phillips and owner Bobby Butera
Casey Phillips
6916 14th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207
What are your favorite cranberry vodka drinks?
I think the Cranberry Vodka Martini is probably my favorite choice. It is not too tart and very refreshing after a hot day...or during one.
What are your customers’ favorite cranberry vodka drinks?
I think the Banana’s customers like to keep it simple. I don’t have many people order cranberry vodka. I think the vodka, mixed with OJ, would probably be liked the most. We do have a lot of Madras drinkers.