Blood Orange Cosmopolitan
This Blood Orange Cosmopolitan is a great cocktail to use the best of winter oranges; it’s so beautiful you’ll wish you could serve this all year round.
My apologies and I hope you will forgive me. For what? I lied. When I mentioned last week that the only two things that make me happy in winter were pomegranates and cranberries I made a glaring omission. How could I have forgotten blood oranges?
I promise, it was a mistake to have left them off of my list; maybe because they are a relatively new love and often I think them a bit fleeting and not quite assured that our relationship is enduring? They are harder to find then ‘regular’ oranges and coveted above ALL else.
Even though many show signs of the promise that awaits you inside, it’s always subtle and sometimes it’s not even there. Making that first cut always has some apprehension and as a result some excitement at the actual gorgeousness that is revealed. I amaze at that deep burgundy color; it exudes richness, and I just love this brief period when our affair comes alive each year.
I thought it would be fun to do a riff on a Cosmopolitan, a drink that has always been a favorite of mine through its heyday (Sex and the City anyone?) to now when it’s fallen a bit out of favor except not with me. Still love them.
Creating a Blood Orange Cosmopolitan is easy…simply sub some of the cranberry juice with freshly squeezed blood orange juice and you’re done. It’s so pretty and admittedly I do love me some pretty cocktails…seems most are pink too. I could say Pretty in Pink but that would probably bring up some teen angst that was a generation behind me…so we’ll just leave that be.
I love making cocktails for my friends. Even more I love sharing with them just how easy it is to craft so many at home that we (I) used to consider only as a treat when I would go out to meet friends at a local watering hole.
I find I’ve learned to enjoy the experience of having friends over more than going out and serving them a great cocktail instead of just a glass of wine is something that makes everyone happy. I’ve been to some nice places recently and actually had a couple of great drinks but my frugal self can not help but notice…I could pour cocktails for a crowd for the amounts that are being charged for one at a local hotspot!
I’m thinking I need to do a post on basic bar necessities so that you can do the same; let me know if that would be of interest. In the meantime; this one just takes vodka and orange liqueur. I might mention Grand Marnier as an option but look for other examples, it’s pricey and when you’re mixing with other ingredients, pricey can be overrated. Way overrated.
Patron’s Citronge is my go to but as long as you shy away from the really cheap triple sec, any of them will suffice as a mixer. Now to finish this drink. The season is short and time is of the essence. Cheers!
PIN ‘Blood Orange Cosmopolitan’
[mpprecipe-recipe:5033]
Wish I could see the recipe but it’s blocked out because of the ads!
Wow, these taste fabulous! I’ve been experimenting with a few blood orange drinks: Blood Orange Hard Soda, Blood Orange Moscow Mule, and now this, I think it’s my favorite so far! Although the Blood Orange Moscow Mule was very very good!
I absolutely love these too and I like a lot of margaritas but if I had to choose…definitely one of my top two. I will always stay true to my basic marg as the best ever; try it too!
Yes please, I can’t wait to be sipping on this gorgeous cocktail! Blood oranges are so vibrant, great photos!
Aren’t they Sommer? Just a really gorgeous fruit and I can get enough of them before they’re gone.
All is forgiven! Beautiful looking cocktail.
I knew I could count on you. 🙂
Yes, I do need a pitcher of these now. I keep telling you that I’m not a cocktail drinker and then you come up with cocktails that prove me wrong. This has everything I love in it – orange, cranberry juice, Grand Marnier… and it is beautiful! Okay, forget the wine, we’ll drink these when you come and visit.
I used to always have a bottle of wine at the ready when friends dropped by and the only time I made cocktails was in the summer when I made my favorite margaritas. Then I started on this cocktail journey and I have to admit…I have had so many that are fabulous and unique and I’ve spoiled myself and friends a bit. They definitely show up expecting a signature cocktail for the night. We might move to wine with a meal but we never start there anymore!
Blood oranges are beautiful and I’m always excited when the come into season but I’ve never used them in a cocktail. I bet it tastes fantastic because it’s beautiful to look at.
They are wonderful. While I loved this…first I would try my blood orange margarita. It’s an ‘oh my’ cocktail for sure.
Blood oranges look so great, don’t they? And super flavor, too. I’ll bet this tastes better than a regular Cosmo — and looks better, too. Great drink — thanks.
Thank you John…and yes, they are so pretty. Even though I know what to expect I am surprised every year when I make that first cut at just how gorgeous they are inside. I love that color!
This looks simply divine and now I must look for blood oranges so I can make one (or two) for myself! I received a cocktail mixing set for Christmas so I would love to see a post from you on basic bar necessities. With our limited storage space for booze, it would be great to know what we can skip and what we should keep on hand. Thanks for the fantastic post, as always!
I think I’ll plan something then! There are not everywhere…but I can usually find them at Sprouts or Whole Foods.
I’ll think about doing the Wendy; you know, it’s something I sort of take for granted but would love to share my ideas. On the calendar!