Bartenders, which cranberry juice?

Slickone

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 1999
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What kind of juice do they use in bars for mixing with vodka?
I've bought some (Publix) cranberry juice cocktail that was no other juice except cranberry, but only 25%, with the rest being water and high fructose corn syrup. I also got some Northland cranberry juice that's labeled as '100% juice' 'no sugar added', but when you look at the ingredients, it's actually apple, cranbbery, and grape juice concentrates, in that order. The concentrates are juice and water (!?) though. I don't think either of these really taste like what I've gotten in bars, but it's been awhile. So what to you use in your bar?
I did see some 100% cranberry juice at the store, but it's $8+ for only 32oz. Surely the bars don't use this expensive stuff?
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
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The cheap kind. It doesn't matter really. It's not like cranberry juice connissuers go to bars to sample their fine vintage cranberry juice.

Personally, I usually buy juice that's 100% juice with nothing else added.
 

moshquerade

No Lifer
Nov 1, 2001
61,504
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vodka and cranberry ftw!

i'm sure the bars use the cheapest juice possible, not the high test. :p
 

Slickone

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 1999
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Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
The cheap kind. It doesn't matter really. It's not like cranberry juice connissuers go to bars to sample their fine vintage cranberry juice.
Well obviously. Just asking since mine don't taste quite right. And I don't use cheap vodka.
 

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
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it should just be a splash of cran...if you need more flavor, try a splash of Chambord too. One of my favorite slow drinks is vodka & chambord on the rocks...although many hate it. Possibly because it's just liquor.
 

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
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Originally posted by: Slickone
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
The cheap kind. It doesn't matter really. It's not like cranberry juice connissuers go to bars to sample their fine vintage cranberry juice.
Well obviously. Just asking since mine don't taste quite right. And I don't use cheap vodka.

For the love of god don't tell me you are mixing top shelf vodka with cranberry juice.
 

hypn0tik

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2005
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Originally posted by: Slickone
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
The cheap kind. It doesn't matter really. It's not like cranberry juice connissuers go to bars to sample their fine vintage cranberry juice.
Well obviously. Just asking since mine don't taste quite right. And I don't use cheap vodka.

You sure you're mixing in the right ratio?
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
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Originally posted by: Slickone
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
The cheap kind. It doesn't matter really. It's not like cranberry juice connissuers go to bars to sample their fine vintage cranberry juice.
Well obviously. Just asking since mine don't taste quite right. And I don't use cheap vodka.

There's your problem. Use cheap vodka. Don't waste the good stuff on mixed drinks, save it for the martini drinkers who'll really appreciate it!

Edit-Your drink should start with a glass of ice (full glass of ice), 1 part booze and 3 parts juice. Use small glasses or you'll have fvcked up guests in no time...unless that's the goal. Still, I'd recommend a rocks glass.
 

KarenMarie

Elite Member
Sep 20, 2003
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it should be a shot and a half to the glass of juice. it should not be 50/50 or 60/40

more like 30/70 max and even that is strong.
 

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
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Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Slickone
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
The cheap kind. It doesn't matter really. It's not like cranberry juice connissuers go to bars to sample their fine vintage cranberry juice.
Well obviously. Just asking since mine don't taste quite right. And I don't use cheap vodka.

There's your problem. Use cheap vodka. Don't waste the good stuff on mixed drinks, save it for the martini drinkers who'll really appreciate it!

Edit-Your drink should start with a glass of ice (full glass of ice), half booze and half juice. Use small glasses or you'll have fvcked up guests in no time...unless that's the goal. Still, I'd recommend a rocks glass.

Use Smirnoff 100 if you want to get the party off to a fast start.

 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
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Originally posted by: KarenMarie
it should be a shot and a half to the glass of juice. it should not be 50/50 or 60/40

more like 30/70 max and even that is strong.

Yeah, that sounds about right.
 

Slickone

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 1999
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Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
There's your problem. Use cheap vodka. Don't waste the good stuff on mixed drinks, save it for the martini drinkers who'll really appreciate it!

Edit-Your drink should start with a glass of ice (full glass of ice), 1 part booze and 3 parts juice. Use small glasses or you'll have fvcked up guests in no time...unless that's the goal. Still, I'd recommend a rocks glass.
Thanks but cheaper vodka isn't going to make the drink taste better. I don't use very expensive stuff either. I mainly use Finlandia or Ketel One. Not too expensive. And I use some thing decent to avoid the hangover junk in the cheap ones. Personally I think the more expensive vodkas are a waste of money for any drink, but that's just me. To my taste buds, there isn't a whole lot of taste difference between any vodka above the cheapest junk vodkas, especially compared to differences in other spirits. I know many that agree. You may (probably) not. I spend the big money on good bourbons and tequilas. But after always tasting the vodka/cranberry my ex-GF always would get, I started liking it. If you wanna talk about wasting money on something just to mix, that'd be everyone's favorite, Jack Daniels.

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
It takes a special kind of retard to screw up a drink that simple.
Never said it was 'screwed up', retard.