Blood Orange

Pro tips

• Chill your glass with ice water or ice before pouring to keep the cocktail cold longer.
• Stir ingredients with ice for 10–15 seconds to chill and slightly dilute for balance; don't shake.
• Use fresh-squeezed orange juice within 2 hours of juicing to preserve brightness and prevent oxidation.
• Serve immediately after stirring; this drink doesn't hold well as flavors flatten over time.

Substitutions

• Gin → dry vermouth or white wine (lighter, less juniper-forward)
• Campari → Aperol (lighter bitterness, lower ABV)
• Amaro → Fernet-Branca or Averna (darker, more medicinal notes)
• Orange juice → fresh grapefruit juice (more pronounced bitterness)

Storage & make-ahead

Best served fresh and chilled immediately. Not designed for batch prep or storage.

Equipment

bar spoon or long mixing spoon · jigger or measuring cup · cocktail strainer

Can I make a large batch of Blood Orange cocktails?

Yes. Multiply the recipe by the number of servings needed, combine in a pitcher with ice, stir well, and serve into chilled coupe or rocks glasses.

What's the difference between Campari and amaro in this drink?

Campari provides bright, herbal bitterness; amaro adds deeper herbal sweetness and complexity. Both are essential to the drink's balanced profile.

Should I use fresh or bottled orange juice?

Fresh-squeezed orange juice delivers better flavor and balance. Bottled juice can work but may result in a duller, sweeter drink.

What type of glass should I serve this in?

A coupe glass or cocktail glass chilled with ice works best, though a rocks glass with one large cube is also traditional for aperitivo drinks.