This easy blood orange cocktail is a simple and flavorful drink to mix up. The spicy vanilla sugar accompanies the sweet-tart blood orange juice just perfectly. Its a lovely and easy way to relax at the end of the day! Make one for yourself, or several to enjoy with friends!

blood orange bourbon smash cocktail in two glasses with blood orange slices

I like my cocktails like I like my salads – big, fancy, and complicated. Cocktails are special and fun, and in my book they are usually reserved for fancy nights out at a restaurant.

Often a cocktail requires about 34 specialty ingredients, and require more of a scientific touch. You need the right proportions, the right ingredients, and the right methodology to create something totally amazing. And because of this, cocktails are rarely enjoyed at home.

The last thing I want to do at the end of a long day is get out 20 different ingredients and precisely measure, muddle and mix to create a perfectly concocted masterpiece. And then clean up the sticky mess I make.

But I don’t think cocktails should be left to fancy restaurants only – we should totally be able to enjoy them at home, too!

By preparing a few simple ingredients ahead of time (that totally last for like, ever, so you can keep them for when you need them), you can mix up this super fun, fresh and season cocktail at the drop of a hat.

This blood orange cocktail recipe ends up being the perfect choice – its not too hard to (or too messy) to make, yet it tastes super special and fresh!

Try these other easy cocktails:

A white wooden table with glasses topped with sugar and blood orange slices, filled with blood orange bourbon smash cocktail

How to make this easy cocktail recipe

This is an easy recipe to make! For the full set of directions, make sure you scroll down to the recipe card below.

Make the simple syrup.

Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan.
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, just long enough for the sugar to dissolve, stirring frequently, and then turn off the heat.
Pour the syrup into a glass container with a lid and allow to cool.
When cool, store in the fridge.

Make the spicy vanilla sugar.

In a small bowl, mix together the ingredients until well combined.
Store in a container with an airtight lid in a cool dry place

Mix the cocktail.

Juice the blood oranges and strain out the seeds.
Wet the rim of a chilled glass with water and then place in the sugar mixture.
Add the two orange slices, the simple syrup and the bitters to the chilled glass and muddle around until the orange slices have broken down slightly.
Add the crushed ice, bourbon, and blood orange juice on top.
Pour the club soda on top, and stir to mix.

What kind of bourbon should I use?

This cocktail is amazing! Its fresh and flavorful without being too girly. The bourbon you use totally changes the flavor profile of the drink.

If you want something more mellow so the blood orange juice really stands out, try something smooth like Buffalo Trace.
If you want a spicier note that compliments the blood orange juice, try something with a high Rye content, like Bulleit.

overhead view of two cocktails with blood oranges

Love blood oranges? Try these recipes, too!

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Blood Orange Bourbon Smash

This cocktail is amazing! Its fresh and flavorful without being too girly. The spicy vanilla sugar accompanies the sweet-tart blood orange juice just perfectly.

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Course: Easy Drink Recipes

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 10

Servings: Servings

Calories: 228kcal

Author: Jenni – The Gingered Whisk

Ingredients

Simple Syrup

½ cup sugar
½ cup water

Spicy Vanilla Sugar

½ cup sugar
pinch cayenne pepper
1 vanilla bean seeds scraped

Bourbon Smash

crushed iced
2 ounces simple syrup
2 ounces bourbon
2 ounces of club soda
juice of 2 blood oranges
a few drops of bitters
2 blood orange slices for garnish

Instructions

Simple Syrup
Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan.
Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, just long enough for the sugar to dissolve and then turn off the heat.
Pour the syrup into a glass container with a lid and allow to cool.
Store this in the fridge.
Spicy Vanilla Sugar
In a small bowl, mix together the ingredients until well combined.
Store in a container with an airtight lid in a cool dry place
Bourbon Smash
Juice the blood oranges and strain out the seeds.
Wet the rim of a chilled glass with water and then place in the sugar mixture.
Add the two orange slices, the simple syrup and the bitters to the chilled glass and muddle around until the orange slices have broken down slightly.
Add the crushed ice, bourbon, and blood orange juice on top.
Pour the club soda on top, and stir to mix.
Enjoy!

Notes

The simple syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month. The spicy vanilla sugar can be stored in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

How Sweet Eats

Blood Orange Cocktail