Blood Orange Old Fashioned (2024)

While blood oranges are in season, I want to put them in everything! And as you would expect, they're also delicious in co*cktails! This recipe for a Blood Orange Old Fashioned uses Blood Orange Simple Syrup (if you make Candied Blood Oranges, you'll have a big batch of simple syrup left over) and also a dried sliced orange garnish. Of course, you can change this up and use a blood orange peel, or slice, as a garnish instead!

These Dried Sliced Oranges are a wonderful hostess gift, as is the Blood Orange Simple Syrup that is leftover after making Candied Blood Oranges! If you're looking for other food-related holiday gift ideas, try making homemade vanilla extract!

As always, I do include a few affiliate links in this post for products I truly use and love. This just means that if you make a purchase after clicking one of those links, I'll earn a little money (at no cost to you) to keep the kitchen up and running, which I promise to use to create more fun content like this! One of those affiliates is with Amazon, which requires a very clear disclosure: as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you have any questions about affiliates, please reach out!

Ingredients

There are only a few ingredients you'll need to bring this festive co*cktail together.

• Bourbon: Pick a brand that you like, but I like to use Michter's, Woodford Reserve, or Four Roses bourbon.
• Angostura Aromatic Bitters: this will give your co*cktail a little bit of a punch.
• Blood Orange Simple Syrup: if you make a batch of Candied Blood Oranges, you'll have a batch of simple syrup left over! I like to use it here for co*cktails, but it's also a great gift.
• Dried Sliced Oranges or other garnish: I love the look of dried blood oranges, but you can also garnish with a bit of the orange peel, or simply a slice of blood orange.
• A nice ice cube: this is all personal preference, but I like a big square ice cube (like these SamuelWorld ice cubes). Feel free to use a smaller cube, or different shape depending on what you have and how much ice (which will melt into water, of course), you like to have in your co*cktail.

See full recipe below for detailed directions.

Instructions

co*cktails are very easy to make, and always add a festive flair to an event or evening!

Pour your bourbon into an Old Fashioned or rocks glass.

Quickly add your dashes of bitters (watch out, this will likely splash / spill and it will stain).

See Also

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Add your simple syrup.

Stir, then add an ice cube of your choice and garnish with a dried sliced orange.

The dried orange slice is strictly for garnish (and a hint of flavor), but it is also edible!

Hint: All of these ingredients can be adjusted to your preference. Do you prefer a sweeter co*cktail? Add a little more simple syrup. Do you like a bigger or smaller ice cube? Use that!

This is one of the easier co*cktails to make and there isn't much you need. A few things that I find make co*cktails easier:

• Ice Cube Molds: this set from Amazon includes both big squares as well as big spheres, so you have both options for your ice cube.
• A nice Old Fashioned Glass: there are tons of options, but these Edge Double Old Fashioned Glasses from Crate & Barrel are some of my favorites. These are also called a lowball glass or a rocks glass.
• Shot glass or co*cktail jig for measuring
• Spoon or co*cktail stirrer for mixing
• If you need it, co*cktail picks can be really beautiful for your garnish. I didn't use them with this co*cktail, but you certainly could!

Storage

If you needed to make a batch of these co*cktails in advance, you could! Mix the ingredients together without the ice or garnish, then store in the fridge until you're ready to pour. As you're assembling the co*cktail, pour the mix, add the ice and then the garnish.

Recipe FAQ

I can't find any blood oranges - what are my options?

A traditional Old Fashioned is made with regular oranges, so you can always do that! And really, any type of orange will taste great in this co*cktail.

Do I need to make my own Blood Orange Simple Syrup?

You certainly can (and I recommend it), but you can also buy premade simple syrup. If you do make your own, you can make a batch of candied blood oranges to enjoy as well!

Do I need to make the dried blood orange garnish?

I think dried sliced oranges are really beautiful (and tasty), but you can also garnish with a slice of blood orange peel, or simply a slice of blood orange if you prefer. They'll all be delicious!

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