Big Sister recipe
Citrus vodka, cranberry juice, orange juice, ginger beer, lime juice and more, shaken and served in a highball glass.
By Kris Barton · Updated - 2 mins total
- 6 ingredients
- Highball glass
What Ingredients do you need to make a Big Sister?
Vodka
We compared 12 different brands of Vodka and determined that Smirnoff was the overall best option. Given the current climate with Russia, that may seem like a questionable choice, but Smirnoff isn’t made in Russia, it’s made all over the world.
It actually has a history of Russian persecution and the creators were forced to flee Russia.
Cranberry Juice
As you’d expect, Cranberry Juice is made out of Cranberries – but it also contains sugar and other fruit juices.
The Cranberry is a fruit native to North America and is recognised for its bright red colour, tart taste, and its sheer versatility.
Cranberries can be used to make a whole host of things:
- Cranberry Juice
- Cranberry Sauce
- Frozen Cranberries
- Various dietary supplements that contain Cranberry extract.
For Cranberry Juice, we recommend:
Orange Juice
Orange Juice is an essential ingredient for most bars and fridges all around the world. Why? It mixes well with virtually any form of alcohol.
Cocktails with Orange Juice and Vodka? Absolutely.
Cocktails with Orange Juice and Tequila? Naturally.
Cocktails with Orange Juice and Rum? Sure, why not?
And the list doesn’t end there.
For Orange Juice, we recommend:
Ginger Ale vs Ginger Beer
Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale are two very different beverages.
Well, they both have Ginger flavouring, but they each have a completely different taste.
The difference between them is that Ginger Beer is brewed and fermented, whilst Ginger Ale is actually flavoured carbonated water.
This makes Ginger Beer stronger and contains a slightly spicy finish and after taste.
For Ginger Beer, we recommend:
For Ginger Ale, we recommend:
What Equipment do you need to make a Big Sister?
Cocktail Shaker
Cocktail shakers improve the taste of cocktails. It’s a fact.
There’s a reason that famed British spy James Bond says “shaken, not stirred”. And that reason is: because it tastes better.
If you don’t already have a cocktail shaker set, you might want to check out our detailed cocktail shaker comparison.
But to cut a long story short, here’s the cocktail shaker we recommend:
Highball Glass
Highball Glasses are the most common glasses in the cocktail world. You can put most cocktails in there from the Long Island Iced Tea to a Bay Breeze.
Advertisement
Recipe card
Big Sister
- Prep
- 1 min
- Making
- 1 min
- Total
- 2 mins
- Serves
- 1
- Glass
- Highball glass
Ingredients
Makes 1 drink.
Method
- Add ice, vodka, cranberry juice, orange juice, and lime juice to your cocktail shaker.
- Shake well.
- Pour into a highball glass.
- Top up with ginger beer.
- Garnish with a slice of lime.
No cocktail shaker? Do this instead
- Add ice, vodka, cranberry juice, orange juice and lime juice to a highball glass.
- Stir well.
- Top up with ginger beer.
- Garnish with a slice of lime.
Want more like this? Browse our full collection of modern cocktails.
Big Sister FAQs
What Ingredients do you need to make a Big Sister?
To make a Big Sister, you need 40ml / 1.3oz citrus vodka, 60ml / 2oz cranberry juice, 30ml / 1oz orange juice, 30ml / 1oz ginger beer, 10ml / 0.3oz lime juice and 1 slice of lime. There’s more about vodka, cranberry juice, orange juice and ginger ale and ginger beer above.
What Equipment do you need to make a Big Sister?
You’ll need a cocktail shaker and a highball glass.
What alcohol is in a Big Sister?
The only alcohol in a Big Sister is citrus vodka: 40ml / 1.3oz.
Is a Big Sister shaken or stirred?
A Big Sister is shaken. Shake it with ice in a cocktail shaker, then pour it into a highball glass and top it up.
Can I make a Big Sister without a cocktail shaker?
No. Without a cocktail shaker, you can make a Big Sister like this: Add ice, vodka, cranberry juice, orange juice and lime juice to a highball glass. Stir well. Top up with ginger beer. Garnish with a slice of lime.
What glass is a Big Sister served in?
Serve a Big Sister in a highball glass.
How do you garnish a Big Sister?
Garnish a Big Sister with a slice of lime.
How do I make a Big Sister for a group?
The recipe makes one drink. Multiply every measure by the number of drinks you want: for 4, you’d need 160ml citrus vodka, 240ml cranberry juice, 120ml orange juice, 120ml ginger beer, 40ml lime juice and 4 slices of lime. Shake one or two drinks at a time, so there’s room in the shaker for the ice.
