Tag Archives: cocktails

Blood Orange Martini

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

Sparkling White Sangria

Well, this is my last post for 2011 but no worries…I’ll be back next year!  It seems only fitting for me to finish the year with a jazzy cocktail going into New Year’s weekend.  I like champagne but don’t really love it straight up without a little something else to enhance it.  This Sparkling White Sangria mixes sparkling wine with fruit nectar and triple sec and, while it isn’t really white or sangria, this fizzy cocktail is fruity, sweet, and refreshing.  If you can’t find apricot nectar, use any nectar you like (I used mango) and if you prefer prosecco or cava over champagne, any sparkling wine will do (I used cava).  This is an easy, fun cocktail for New Year’s so if you want something other than boring old champagne at midnight tomorrow, toast your honey, bestie, or loved one with this!

Be safe, have fun and please have a very Happy New Year!!

The ingredients:

Mix all ingredients together in a pitcher or bowl and serve chilled.

Additions:  None

Omissions:  None

Substitutions:

  • Mango nectar for apricot nectar

Overall Rating:  Love It

Source:  Real Simple Magazine

Jingle Juice

It’s only two days until Christmas – how did that happen?  There are no hints of cookies left in my house as I shipped most of them away to family and took the rest in to my coworkers.  So, I don’t have a cookie recipe for you today but instead have a festive little cocktail, Jingle Juice.  This drink has orange juice, lemon juice, vodka, orange liqueur, and cherry juice and packs a punch!  My lips puckered a bit when I first tried this because it’s pretty acidic so if I make this again, I’ll swap out some of the orange juice for sparkling water.  Substituting lemon-lime soda for the vodka and orange liqueur would make this a fun mocktail for any kiddos running around also so if you need something festive for a Holiday party, a weekend get-together or just for sitting by the fire watching Home Alone (again), check this out!

Happy Holidays and best wishes, everyone!

The ingredients:

Mix all of the ingredients together in a pitcher or bowl and pour into a glass over ice.

Additions:  None

Omissions:  None

Substitutions:  None

Overall Rating:  Like It

Source:  Southern Living Magazine

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