With just 3 ingredients, this Blood Orange Martini is super easy and totally refreshing! The color is so vibrant and the flavor is sweet and citrusy. Grab your cocktail shaker and make this vodka cocktail in under 5 minutes!
Blood oranges are weird. They look creepy but give cocktails the most gorgeous color! The flavor is just a smidge different from regular oranges and they are a perfect addition to many drink recipes.
It's an ingredient I just can't quit and if you love them too, check out my Blood Orange Cocktails:
Why this recipe works
I know technically a martini is meant to be just gin or vodka, with vermouth, and maybe some olive juice. But fruity martinis are SO much better!
Fresh citrus always makes cocktail recipes extra special. And the juice from blood oranges is even better! They have a subtle orange flavor, that has an extra sweetness and the best color ever.
My son gasped when he first saw me cut into one. He was not expecting such a colorful interior and it caught him off guard. And the juice splatters do look a little bit like blood. So there's that. For sure, you'll want to see if you can find blood oranges to make Halloween cocktails.
If you're looking for a quick and easy, refreshing cocktail, this Blood Orange Martini recipe is for you! And best of all, you don't need any special skills and only the basic cocktail-making equipment (cocktail shaker and citrus squeezer).
Ingredient notes
I FORGOT TO PUT THE LIME IN THIS IMAGE! Fresh lime juice is essential for most cocktails and also true for the recipe for this Blood Orange Martini.
You can absolutely swap out the blood orange juice for any other citrus if you can't find them locally. Tangerines would be a great blood orange substitute and regular orange juice would work too. Just make sure to use fresh juice, and not bottled. It really loses something in the flavor department.
If you don't have Cointreau, you can totally use Triple Sec. It's much cheaper. They are both orange-flavored spirits that use the peels of a variety of types of oranges from around the world to flavor it. There are many companies that make Triple Sec. But only Cointreau makes Cointreau.
Finlandia Vodka Review
Last week I decided to taste test of few of the vodkas I had at home. Finlandia was one of them. Vodka is supposed to be pretty neutral in flavor and not burn too much when going down.
This one was pretty smooth with the tiniest bit of sweetness. My brain kept trying to pick out flavors the way you would when tasting wine. But I couldn't find anything to liken it to.
The smell was pretty antiseptic-like, like those alcohol pads they use in doctor's offices before you get a shot. But I was also REALLY trying to smell it. I don't think it would be the same if you were just sipping it in a vodka soda or another type of drink.
I don't think I'd want to sip on a glass of this all night, but I think it is a great choice for cocktails, like this blood orange vodka cocktail.
How to Make a Blood Orange Martini
Squeeze the blood oranges. I prefer to use a citrus squeezer because it gets out the most juice possible.
Quick note: if you aren't careful your kitchen may end up looking like a crime scene.
To a cocktail shaker add the vodka, blood orange juice, lime juice and Cointreau.
Add ice. Shake the heck out of it (a fast and vigorous shake helps to chill it without diluting the cocktail).
Strain into a martini glass. That's it. Super simple. This is one of my favorite kinds of recipes where it seems kind of fancy when it's really not.
And that color! AmIright?!
Top tips
- I didn't add any sweetener to my cocktail recipe because I like my drinks on the bitter side. But if you need to, you can add simple syrup or even honey to make it more to your liking.
- To add even more citrus flavor you can use a DIY Orange Flavored Vodka.
- I love the unique flavor of vermouth so if you want to make this closer to a classic martini, add a little and see if you like the complexity.
- Martinis are served "straight up" which means not over ice. If you shake the recipe really well with ice, it will be nice and frosty when added to the cocktail glass.
- About 3 medium-sized blood oranges will allow you to make 2 cocktails. If you are making a bunch, be sure to buy more!
Frequently asked questions
Blood oranges stand out because of their beautiful color and interesting taste. Some liken the taste to a cross between oranges and raspberries. I think they add an amazing color and flavor boost to cocktails. Plus they freak people out when they see the inside.
Blood oranges are typically in season from December to April. They are commonly grown in Texas and California as well as other parts of the world.
A lot of people think that all vodka is gluten-free, but many people with celiac disease still react. Since allergies are different for everyone, what may affect one person with a gluten allergy might not affect someone else. The best options for gluten-free vodka are those varieties made with potato, corn or some other non-gluten substance.
It's refreshing. It's pretty. It's easy. This Blood Orange Martini recipe is one that you need to put on your radar. Maybe even invite some friends over so you have an excuse to make them.
Related recipes
Need a few more ideas? Check out this delicious Ginger Pomegranate Martini from April Golightly and Blood Orange Raspberry Spritzer from The Little Kitchen.
Blood Orange Martini
Ingredients
- 1 oz vodka
- 3 oz blood orange juice
- 1.5 oz Cointreau
- squeeze of fresh lime
Instructions
- To a cocktail shaker, add fresh blood orange juice, vodka, lime juice and Cointreau.
- Add ice.
- Shake vigorously.
- Strain into a martini glass.
Notes
- I didn't add any sweetener to my cocktail recipe but if you need to, you can add simple syrup or even honey to make it more to your liking.
- To add even more citrus flavor you can use a DIY Orange Flavored Vodka.
- I love the unique flavor of vermouth so if you want to make this closer to a classic martini, add a little and see if you like the complexity.
- Martinis are served "straight up" which means not over ice. If you shake the recipe really well with ice, it will be nice and frosty when added to the cocktail glass.
- About 3 medium-sized blood oranges will allow you to make 2 cocktails. If you are making a bunch, be sure to buy more!
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