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This easy-drinking, gently sophisticated blood orange cocktail is perfect for fall and winter. Serve it up or on the rocks.
Why we love this recipe
In the fall and winter months, this vibrant yet cozy blood orange cocktail makes for a lovely evening. It’s:
- Bright and citrusy from the freshly squeezed blood orange and ruby red grapefruit juices
- A little bit sweet and woodsy from the rosemary and thyme simple syrup
- Easy to batch for a party
- Flexible — make it with vodka or gin, and serve it up or on the rocks
I first published this recipe here back in 2017. I’ve since updated the post for clarity and made a few gentle tweaks to the recipe itself.
What you’ll need
Here’s a glance at the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe.
- Start with a top-shelf vodka. I’m using Grey Goose, which has a lovely, toasty vibe and creamy finish. Belvedere is another great choice. I’m not really on the Tito’s bandwagon, but if you are, that would be a fine option, too. (Or make this cocktail with gin if you prefer.)
- You’ll make an herb simple syrup using fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, good old granulated sugar, and water.
- The freshly squeezed juice of blood orange and ruby red grapefruit combine to make a smooth, slightly sweet, slightly tangy citrus vibe.
- Just for fun: If you’d like to add a bit more complexity to this drink, add 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice (or Meyer lemon juice) and two dashes orange bitters.
How to make it
Here’s an overview of what you’ll do to make a blood orange cocktail. You can see the steps in action in the video that accompanies this post, and get all the details in the recipe card below.
- First you’ll make the herb simple syrup and let it cool.
- Juice the blood orange and grapefruit.
- Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker (to serve up) or glass (to serve on the rocks).
- Garnish and serve. That’s it!
Expert tips and FAQs
It will keep for two weeks or more in an airtight container in the fridge. I recommend using it to make more cocktails or to sweeten a gently sophisticated lemonade.
You can. To make eight drinks, combine in a pitcher up to three hours before serving time: two cups blood orange juice, two cups ruby red grapefruit juice, two cups vodka, 1/2 cup herb simple syrup, and 1/2 cup cold water. Cover and chill. At serving time, pour into glasses, garnish, and serve.
More favorite fruit-forward cocktails
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Blood Orange Cocktail with Winter Herbs
Ingredients
For the herb simple syrup
- 2 large sprigs thyme
- 2 large sprigs rosemary
- ½ cup (100 grams) sugar
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
For the cocktail
- 2 ounces (60 ml) blood orange juice
- 2 ounces (60 ml) ruby red grapefruit juice
- 2 ounces (60 ml) vodka
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) herb simple syrup
To garnish
- 1 rosemary sprig
- 1 blood orange wheel, if serving on the rocks
Instructions
For the simple syrup
- In a small pot, combine the thyme, rosemary, sugar and water.
- Set over medium heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and liquid is just shy of boiling.
- Remove from heat and set aside for at least 30 minutes. The longer it sits, the stronger the herb flavor will be.
- Strain the liquid and discard herbs.
- Let cool completely before using.
For the cocktail
- To serve this drink up, place a few ice cubes into a cocktail shaker. Pour in the blood orange juice, grapefruit juice, vodka, and tablespoon of herb simple syrup. Shake well, until very cold, then strain into a martini or coupe glass. Garnish with rosemary sprig and serve.
- To serve this drink on the rocks, pour the blood orange juice, grapefruit juice, vodka, and tablespoon of herb simple syrup into a tall glass (such as a pint mason jar) and stir well. Fill the glass with ice, garnish with a rosemary sprig and blood orange wheel, and serve.
Notes
- Start with a top-shelf vodka. I'm using Grey Goose, which has a lovely, toasty vibe and creamy finish. Belvedere is another great choice. I'm not really on the Tito's bandwagon, but if you are, that would be a fine option, too. (Or make this cocktail with gin if you prefer.)
- If you’d like to batch this cocktail for a party, you can. To make eight drinks, combine in a pitcher up to three hours before serving time: two cups blood orange juice, two cups ruby red grapefruit juice, two cups vodka, 1/2 cup herb simple syrup, and 1/2 cup cold water. Cover and chill. At serving time, pour into glasses, garnish, and serve.
- You'll have extra herb syrup, which will keep tightly covered in the fridge for a couple of weeks. Make more cocktails or try using it to sweeten a sophisticated lemonade.
Optional additions
Just for fun: If you'd like to add a bit more complexity to this drink, add 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice (or Meyer lemon juice) and two dashes orange bitters.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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