The Fucking Shit is a long, ice-filled vodka drink built mostly from cranberry juice, with a smaller measure of lemonade to soften the tartness. It is pink, easy to sip and fruit-forward, closer to a vodka cranberry with a lemony lift than to anything strong or complicated. It suits anyone who likes a simple highball and wants a bit more sweetness than plain cranberry gives.
Ingredients
- 4 Part(s) Cranberry Juice chilled
- 1 oz Lemonade chilled
- 2 Part(s) Vodka
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass to the top with ice.
- Pour the vodka over the ice.
- Add the cranberry juice and the lemonade.
- Stir briefly to mix and chill.
- Garnish with a lemon slice if you like, and serve straight away.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
How The Fucking Shit tastes
Cranberry juice drives the flavour, so the first impression is tangy and slightly dry. The lemonade rounds that off and adds a sweet-sour note, which means the drink lands somewhere between a vodka cranberry and a pink lemonade with a kick. The vodka stays quiet in the background, and a decent drinker can finish one fast.
That ease is the thing to watch. With this much juice the alcohol is easy to forget, so pour with a steady hand and do not top up on autopilot.
Getting the balance right in a tall glass
The usual complaint with cranberry and lemonade drinks is that they swing too tart or too sweet depending on the brands. A cranberry cocktail juice is sweeter than pure cranberry juice, and a cloudy lemonade is more sour than a clear fizzy one. Taste your mix before the vodka goes in and adjust from there.
Fill the glass right to the top with ice, because plenty of ice keeps the drink cold without melting fast. Pour the vodka over the ice, add the juice and lemonade, and stir for a few seconds only. Stirring too long just waters it down.
Swaps, lighter versions and parties
A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime brightens it if the lemonade is on the sweet side. If it is too sharp, a little sugar syrup or extra lemonade smooths it. For a lighter drink, top the glass with soda water or a lemon-flavoured sparkling water, which also stretches it into a longer, fizzier serve.
To make it without alcohol, leave the vodka out and use sparkling water in its place. For a group, mix the juices in a jug ahead of time and keep them cold, then add the vodka and ice glass by glass so nothing gets watery.
The Fucking Shit: your questions answered
What does The Fucking Shit cocktail taste like?
It tastes like a tangy cranberry highball with a sweet lemon edge. Cranberry leads, the lemonade softens it, and the vodka is mild. It is not a heavy or creamy drink, just fruity and cold.
Can I use cranberry cocktail instead of pure cranberry juice?
Yes, and most people do. Cranberry cocktail is sweeter, which makes the drink easier to enjoy. Pure juice gives a sharper, drier result, so if you use it, add a little extra lemonade or a dash of syrup.
Does it need to be shaken?
No. Building it over ice and stirring briefly is enough, since there is nothing thick or creamy to blend. Shaking is fine if you want it colder, but strain it over fresh ice.
