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 mins
Cook Time5 minutes mins
Additional Time30 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Course: Cocktails
Cuisine: American
Keyword: blood orange cocktail
Calories: 240kcal
Author: Carolyn Gratzer Cope
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
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.
- 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, ½ cup herb simple syrup, and ½ 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.
Calories: 240kcal