Blood Orange Cocktail

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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!

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!

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.

Mix the cocktail.

1. Juice the blood oranges and strain out the seeds.
2. Wet the rim of a chilled glass with water and then place in the sugar mixture.
3. 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.
4. Add the crushed ice, bourbon, and blood orange juice on top.
5. Pour the club soda on top, and stir to mix.

What kind of bourbon should I use?

• 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.

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Yield: 6 Servings

Blood Orange Bourbon Smash

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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.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

Simple Syrup

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water

Spicy Vanilla Sugar

• 1/2 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

1. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, just long enough for the sugar to dissolve and then turn off the heat.
3. Pour the syrup into a glass container with a lid and allow to cool.
4. Store this in the fridge.

Spicy Vanilla Sugar

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

Bourbon Smash

1. Juice the blood oranges and strain out the seeds.
2. Wet the rim of a chilled glass with water and then place in the sugar mixture.
3. 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.
4. Add the crushed ice, bourbon, and blood orange juice on top.
5. 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 Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 228Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 26mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 1gSugar: 47gProtein: 1g

Nutrition information is an estimate and is provided for informational purposes only. For the most accurate information, please calculate using your specific brands and exact measurements.

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