Drink Giant Finally Releases New Cocktail (Coca Cola Should Be Worried)

Two companies are getting together to put a favorite cocktail in a ready-to-drink line that's coming early next year.

And now it comes in a can.

Back in 1945, the Ocean Spray cranberry grower's cooperative came up with a drink that combined vodka and cranberry juice. They called it a "Red Devil."

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That year marked one of the earliest references to the drink when Pierre’s restaurant in Manhattan was mentioned in Ocean Spray’s Cranberry Cooperative News.

“With cranberry juice he adds vodka arid a dash of fresh lime and comes up with a ‘Red Devil Cocktail,'" the publication reported.

From Red Devil to Cape Codder

In 1957, the Trader Vic's restaurant chain began selling a similar cocktail, although they called it the Rangoon Ruby.

The Red Devil handle wasn't catching on with the drinking public and the name "Cape Codder" appeared in a 1965 Ocean Spray ad in the New Yorker. 

The new name was a reference to Cape Cod, MA, where the drink was concocted and it stuck.

These two ingredients have been around a long time. Native Americans not only ate cranberries, they also used them as medicine and dye. 

When the Pilgrims landed here, they called little red fruit "crane berry" because its pink blossom reminded them of a head of a crane. 

And vodka has such a long history that scholars can't agree on when it actually begins, although the first written reference appears in Polish court documents from 1405.

Okay, that's enough with the history lessons. You have a craving for this singular combination but you don't feel like mixing around. What do you do?

Hold on your cranberries, Ocean Spray and Absolut Vodka have got you covered.

Ready to Drink

The two entities are coming together to deliver the goods in a ready-to-drink line that will debut early next year and will combine Absolut vodka with Ocean Spray cranberry juice, sparkling water and other natural flavors.

The Absolut Vodka and Ocean Spray Vodka-Cranberry Range includes a variety 8-pack of four sparkling combinations, two 4-packs and single cans.

"Ocean Spray's cranberry heritage is bringing real juice credentials to the spirits category," Monisha Dabek, chief commercial officer and general manager, USA, at Ocean Spray, said in a statement.

The brands are working together on integrated programming, co-packaging, innovation, and new offerings that will start rolling out this summer.

"Absolut and Cranberry Juice are among the most popular drinks with our consumers4 and now we are making it easier than ever with two powerhouse brands coming together," said Reshma Dhati, senior brand director of marketing at Absolut.

Absolut Vodka and Ocean Spray Vodka-Cranberry Range is manufactured, marketed, and distributed by Pernod Ricard USA, the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA.

Pernod Ricard is one of the world's largest spirits and wine companies, and, in addition to Absolut, it is home to such brands as, Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Martell Cognac and Beefeater Gin.