It’s been about a month now that I’ve been walking into my local produce market asking, “Do you have blood oranges yet?” The answer every week has been no. So, when I was perusing the little market under my building at work and saw them, my heart skipped a beat a little.

I don’t know what my fascination is with these vibrant citrus fruits but I can’t get enough of them. Maybe it’s the mystery of their crimson color that appeals to me, I don’t know. (It’s not really a mystery, they have anthocyanins, pigments also found in red grapes, blackberries, blueberries, and eggplant but not in ordinary oranges.) A lot of people have never tried blood oranges so if you are one of those people, I urge you to pick up a few. They are sweet like the everyday orange but a bit more tart. Each batch tastes slightly different to me and sometimes they have the subtle hint of anise or liquorice.

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on blood oranges this winter which gives me the chance to make this bright red cocktail, Blood Orange Martini. It’s simple: blood orange juice, vodka, and orange liqueur. Yum, yum, yum! My dinner on this Friday the 13th just might be a blood orange salad and this martini. How appropriate!

The ingredients:

Measure out the juice in a measuring cup (about 2-3 blood oranges).

Add in vodka and orange liqueur.

Pour mixture into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and give it a good shake.

Garnish with a pretty slice of blood orange and enjoy!

Additions: None

Omissions: None

Substitutions: None

Source: Food Network