Blood Orange Cocktail

Um, yum! Seriously? The blood orange has to be one of the loveliest fruits on the planet.

And in typical Mouse-House style, we found a way to enjoy it in one of our very favorite ways—in cocktail form.

This drink is sweet, but not too sweet. It’s fresh and juicy—and gets an extra bump of orange-y flavor from a drizzle of triple sec.

So what is a blood orange, anyway?

A blood orange is a variety of orange that typically has a deep red flesh (colors can range from pink to wine). The skin can be anywhere from regular orange, to a darker orange mottled with red.

The juice is sweet-tart, with a slight note of raspberry.

Honestly? They’re deeee-licious!

Where do I get blood orange juice?

This cocktail is a wee bit more time consuming than some, as you’ll likely need to juice the blood oranges yourself. (I’ve never been able to find the juice bottled, have you?)

That said, you can squeeze and strain the juice a day in advance and keep it in the fridge. It can separate a bit, so just give it a stir before using.

How many blood oranges do I need?

Good question. The amount of juice each orange contains will vary. It took me 2 blood oranges to get the juice for one cocktail. I’d grab 1 or 2 extra oranges at the market just to be safe.

Blood Orange Cocktail

2 oz. vodka
1/4 oz. triple sec
1/4 oz. simple syrup
2 1/2 oz. blood orange juice
ice

Makes 1 5-oz. cocktail (serve it in a 6-oz. martini glass)

Blood Orange Cocktail: Juice the oranges

This may be redundant for a lot of you, but in case it isn’t, here’s how to get the juice out of the blood oranges.

Cut your oranges in half.

With a lemon reamer, squeeze the juice out of the orange into a bowl. (If you don’t have a lemon reamer, a fork works almost as well.) If you have any kind of other juicing contraption, all the better.

Pour the juice through a strainer to get out any pulp.

Smoosh the pulp around to press out any extra juice.

Cover the juice and store in the fridge until you’re ready to make your drink.

Blood Orange Cocktail: Shake up your cocktail

When you’re ready to make your cocktail, gather up your ingredients.

Put a hunk of ice in your cocktail shaker.

Add the vodka, triple sec, simple syrup, and blood orange juice to the shaker.

Cap your shaker with its lid or with a pint glass, like this. (Our pint glass is from one of our favorite bands.)

Shake vigorously to mix and chill your ingredients.

Strain into a 6-ounce martini glass.

Garnish with a twist of blood orange peel. Serve and enjoy!

And last but not least, a big, fabulous toast!

Here’s to my dearest Cuz, who celebrates his birthday tomorrow. Cheers!

Here are some of the best discounts and sales I’ve found this week.

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