Blood Orange Negroni
This vibrant Blood Orange Negroni combines fresh blood orange juice with gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth for a beautifully balanced cocktail that offers complexity and visual drama with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 1 oz 30ml gin (a London dry style works beautifully)
- 1 oz 30ml Campari
- 1 oz 30ml sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica Formula if available)
- 1 oz 30ml fresh blood orange juice, strained
- 1 blood orange slice for garnish
- 1 large ice cube for serving
- Orange twist optional, for additional aromatics
Instructions
- Juice the blood orange: Cut a blood orange in half and squeeze to extract about 1 oz of juice. Strain to remove any pulp or seeds.
- Combine the spirits: In a mixing glass, pour the gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Stir gently to combine these ingredients before adding the juice.
- Add the blood orange juice to the mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds until well-chilled.
- Prepare your glass by placing a large ice cube in a rocks or old-fashioned glass. The large cube melts more slowly, preventing dilution.
- Strain the cocktail over the ice cube, pouring slowly to appreciate the gorgeous ruby color as it fills the glass.
- Garnish with a blood orange slice by resting it on the rim of the glass or floating it on top of the cocktail. If using an orange twist, express the oils over the surface of the drink before adding.
- Serve immediately while the drink is perfectly chilled and the aromas are at their peak.
Notes
- For the best flavor, freshly squeeze your blood oranges just before making the cocktail. The juice oxidizes quickly and loses its vibrant color.
- If blood oranges aren’t in season, you can substitute with a combination of regular orange juice and a few drops of pomegranate juice for color.
- This cocktail can be batch-prepared (without ice) and stored in a bottle in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours—perfect for parties.
- Some bartenders like to add a touch of simple syrup (about 1/4 oz) if your blood oranges are particularly tart.
- The quality of your vermouth matters significantly in this cocktail. Store opened vermouth in the refrigerator and use within a month for optimal flavor.