Blood Orange Bourbon Cocktail

This blood orange bourbon cocktail combines fresh squeezed citrus juices and homemade ginger syrup to create a fresh and vibrant mixed drink. It is similar to a whiskey sour cocktail.

My all time favorite cocktail is the old fashioned. It’s a simple drink that when prepared correctly it truly magical!

There’s something about the play of orange and bourbon that just works together.  

During the holiday season, I created cranberry orange bourbon concoction. It was such a hit with friends, that I figured a Valentine’s Day version would be very much welcomed!

Taking advantage of the citrus season, I knew blood oranges would provide the perfect je ne sais quoi.

Blood Orange Cocktail

This blood orange bourbon cocktail is similar to a whiskey sour. A sour mixed drink combines base spirit with citrus and sweetener.

Let’s create this Valentine’s Day inspired cocktail with bourbon (or whiskey) of your choice. Mix it with a combination of citrus juices (blood orange and lime) and sweetened it with homemade ginger syrup.

To ensure the cocktail dons a striking red hue, let’s muddle in fresh raspberries to further enhance the colors.

Not only is this cocktail quite the eye-catcher, it’s light and refreshing! 

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

• Blood orange juice, preferably fresh squeezed
• Lime juice, once again fresh squeezed is best
• Homemade ginger syrup
• Bourbon, or whiskey of choice
• Fresh raspberries
• Sparkling water, or club soda

Blood orange season runs from late autumn to spring. If you can’t find any fresh blood oranges, swap in whatever orange you happen to have. The cocktail won’t be as bright red, but it will be just as delicious.

For the best cocktails, always, always, always use fresh squeezed lime juice. Fresh juice doesn’t compared to the bottled stuff.

Skip down below to read about the delicious and versatile ginger syrup!

I’m always on the hunt to try new and interesting bourbons. Four Roses sent me a few samples of their new Single Barrel Bourbon. It works wonderfully in this recipe. It has a sweet, oaky aroma. The bourbon is mellow enough to drink neat, yet strong enough to stand out in a mixed drink.

Ginger Simple Syrup

All you need are three ingredients: water, sugar, and fresh ginger.

Peel ginger skin, then sliced into disks. Combine water, sugar, and sliced ginger in a small pot. Bring to boil and cook until sugar has dissolved.

Remove from heat and steep ginger. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Then, strain out ginger. Keep ginger simple syrup in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.

The combination of citrus juices and ginger syrup creates a fresh and vibrant sour mix that’s better than any of those pre-made, bottled stuff you find at the liquor store.  

Use extra ginger simple to sweetened coffee, tea, or oatmeal!

More Blood Orange Cocktail Recipes

• Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail
• Blood Orange Margarita
• Orange Vanilla Mulled WIne
• Blood Orange Limeade

Disclosure: Four Roses Bourbon provided me with products to create this recipe.