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two blood orange cocktails in mason jars, each garnished with a rosemary sprig and a blood orange wheel
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5 from 3 votes

Blood Orange Cocktail with Winter Herbs

This cocktail is refreshing and just complex enough. It tastes great even without the alcohol but can also stand up to a strong pour, so you can control how boozy it is as the mood strikes.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Additional Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Cocktails
Cuisine: American
Keyword: blood orange cocktail
Calories: 240kcal
Author: Carolyn Gratzer Cope

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

  1. 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.)
  2. 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, ½ cup herb simple syrup, and ½ cup cold water. Cover and chill. At serving time, pour into glasses, garnish, and serve.
  3. 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

Calories: 240kcal