Cranberries have a long history on Cape Cod, dating back to the days before European settlement. Local Native American tribes harvested wild cranberries for centuries, and when the first settlers arrived in the region, they fell in love with the berries, too.

In the early 1800s, cranberry farming became a popular industry on the Cape. Locals would build cranberry bogs and sell their harvests in New York and Boston for a premium.

Cape Cod remains one of the country’s top cranberry producers to this day, as you can find numerous bogs to visit during your vacation. If you arrive between Labor Day and the middle of November, you can take a tour to see how the whole process works.

You might also want to enjoy a cranberry cocktail or two at your vacation rental. Here are five delicious recipes to try as you get to know Cape Cod.

1) The Cape Cod

You just knew this list would have the Cape Cod on it, as it’s the region’s signature drink. Fortunately, it’s also incredibly effortless to make, featuring three easy-to-find ingredients.

All you’ll need when mixing up a Cape Cod is cranberry juice, vodka, and a lime wedge. You’ll serve the drink over ice, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can add in a handful of fresh cranberries, too.

2) The Bay Breeze

Nothing beats a Bay Breeze as you sit in the sun enjoying ocean views. This drink is easy to make and 100% delicious, so give it a try at some point during your vacation.

To make the Bay Breeze, you’ll need one ounce of vodka, 1.5 ounces of pineapple juice, three ounces of unsweetened cranberry juice, one tablespoon of maple syrup, and a lime wedge. You’ll then mix all the ingredients together with a spoon and serve over ice for the best results.

3) The Cranberry Ginger Shandy

Beer cocktails are all the rage right now, and few are better than the Cranberry Ginger Shandy. This drink is low in alcohol, too, so you can have a few without worrying about how you’ll feel the next morning.

The recipe calls for 1.5 cups of cranberry juice, one 12-ounce bottle of ginger beer, a half-cup of lemon juice, two 12-ounce bottles of pale ale, and some lemon wedges for garnish. The result is an entire pitcher of shandy that will keep you refreshed all afternoon long.

4) The Cranberry Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is one of the most popular cocktails of all time, but did you know there’s a cranberry version? All you’ll need is vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and ginger beer to craft this drink, although some locals will add some fresh cranberries, as well.

For a single serving, mix two ounces of vodka, two ounces of cranberry juice, and one tablespoon of lime juice with one-third of a cup of ginger beer. You don’t need to shake the drink, as it’s ready to go right away.

5) The Polished Princess

When visiting Cape Cod in the fall for the harvest, the Polished Princess should be high on your list of things to try. This cocktail combines cranberries with pumpkin spice, bringing two holiday favorites together.

The recipe calls for eight fresh cranberries, three-quarters of an ounce of simple syrup, a half-ounce of lemon juice, one pinch of pumpkin spice, 1.5 ounces of vanilla vodka, and one egg white. Start by muddling five of the cranberries, the syrup, the lemon juice, and the pumpkin spice. Add the vodka and egg white and shake it without ice. Then, add some ice and shake it again before pouring it into a glass with the three remaining cranberries.

Cranberry Cocktails on Cape Cod

Cranberries are a special fruit on the Cape because they’re so abundant and have influenced the local economy for centuries. The next time you’re on the Cape, visit a cranberry bog to see how production works and sample some local production.

You can also try a couple of these cocktails using local cranberry juice. Life doesn’t get much better than an afternoon spent watching the waves rolling in and enjoying a cranberry cocktail of your choice.