Searching for a delicious cocktail that's sure to brighten up your winter? I took a classic lime rickey drink and added fresh blood orange juice and gin for these blood orange gin cocktails!
(This recipe for Blood Orange Gin Lime Rickeys was originally published in February 2012, but was updated with new photos in 2020).
It's Cocktail Friday! And I'm writing this from the airport about to depart to Richmond, VA, to visit Chris's family. Sitting in the new Jet Blue terminal at Logan Airport makes me feel like I need a cocktail. Big time.
But unfortunately, there's only a prepared sandwich kiosk. And I'm fairly certain they don't sell cocktails. Or blood oranges. Or even a nice cup of
Anyway, it's likely that you need a cocktail, too, right? We can get through this together (except you're probably sitting on your couch after a long week, relaxing). If you are, get up right now and make this Blood Orange Lime Rickey. And have one for me. Thank you.
WHAT'S A LIME RICKEY?
I grew up obsessed with raspberry lime rickeys and would always order them from our local ice cream place, Brighams. But what the heck is a lime rickey? While they're currently best known in New England, they actually originated in Washington D.C., in the 1800s thanks to Colonial Joesph Rickey.
He and his friends ordered his signature drink so much that bartenders started referring to drinks consisting of ice, bourbon or whiskey, seltzer water, and lemon as "Joe Rickeys." During prohibition, people started realizing that you could omit the alcohol and use lime juice instead of lemon for a drink that still tasted like a cocktail (source).
So, they started selling them in soda shops, often adding flavored syrup (cherry in NYC and raspberry in New England). Clearly, the drink went through quite a transformation since it first originated, but it ended up in a pretty delicious place.
The bottom line is that lime juice and club soda make for a super refreshing beverage, especially with a splash of juice or syrup mixed in. And since prohibition is long over, it's perfectly acceptable to add some alcohol back in, too... hence this blood orange gin cocktail!
HOW TO MAKE BLOOD ORANGE GIN LIME RICKEYS
There is nothing complicated about these blood orange gin lime rickeys. The most difficult thing is juicing all those blood oranges and attempting not to make a big mess (or eat all of them).
Pour the blood orange juice into a medium pitcher, along with lime juice and gin. Of course, you can adjust the amount of ingredients to taste. Some like it ginny-er. Some like it less so. Who are you? And can I have your gin? 😉
Then divide the drink between four ice-filled glasses and top off with club soda and some pretty citrus garnishes.
I absolutely LOVE the color of this drink. Seriously, there may be nothing better than a beautiful blood orange. And they always make the most perfect cocktails. The blood orange gin cocktail combination is my new favorite (though they also go perfectly with vodka!).
Whenever I see blood oranges at my grocery store, I HAVE to buy them. And while I love cooking and baking with them, making cocktails with them seems to be the most obvious choice for me.
I like that this blood orange lime rickey is a little bit sweet, a little bit tart, and full of fizziness. It's beautifully refreshing, but still a lovely winter drink.
If you enjoy a good gin and tonic, but want something a bit more exciting, this is a great drink for you. You can certainly replace the club soda with tonic, but I like the lightness of the soda.
I hope all your cocktail wishes come true this weekend. I'm excited to spend some time in Richmond and am hoping for maybe a cocktail or two! Perhaps a blood orange gin cocktail?
Did this week/day/hour make you feel like you need a cocktail? Why?
If you're looking for another delicious blood orange cocktail, check out my Blood Orange Habanero Cocktail (made with vodka!). If you're not into cocktails, but love blood oranges, you might like this Sunshine Citrus Salad. And I love this gorgeous Blood Orange Chia Pudding recipe from The Good Eats Co.
📖 Recipe
Blood Orange Gin Lime Rickey
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup blood orange juice (about 6 medium oranges)
- â…“ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 3 limes)
- 1 cup gin
- 1 cup club soda
- Blood orange and lime wedges or rounds, for garnish
Instructions
- Add blood orange juice, lime juice, and gin to a medium pitcher. Stir.
- Divide mixture between 4 ice-filled glasses and top each glass off with club soda. Garnish with blood orange and lime wedges or rounds and enjoy.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Enjoy your trip. I'm loving the color of this, it's extra inviting! As for the babies... just remember you once were one too and it's even harder on them to be out of their comfort zone and regular schedule than adults. 😉 Maybe you can buy a drink on the flight?
Daisy says
have fun in VA. i could use one or three of these right now!
Rhonda says
I'm so loving the blood orange cocktails!
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Michelle says
Hope you had a safe flight! I'm glad I didn't book JetBlue for my upcoming trip to SF!
Megan says
I always cringe when there are screaming babies at the gate... and really, really hope they don't end up on my flight. I can definitely see why you'd need a cocktail. Love the vibrant color of this one!
Kristin @ FoodFash says
I used to be a vodka girl, but gin is starting to call my name more often these days. This cocktail looks mighty refreshing!!
Kelly says
Okay dumb question (that I could probably actually google) what makes something a lime rickey? Is it the combo of lime + soda? Just curious. I remember drinking raspberry lime rickeys in college at The Otherside Cafe. (Of course without alcohol as I was under 21.)
em says
yes, this week definitely mandated a cocktail. busy and a little stressful.
that's why i love this blog feature so much. 😉
Ashley says
I have a blood orange buying compulsion too. There are 3 bags sitting in my apartment, begging to be used. So far, I've done a blood orange-ricotta cheesecake and olive oil blood orange cake (both from Martha Stewart!). Not to mention two batches of blood orange-meyer lemon marmalade that is perfect on Greek yogurt. This week, I'm going to try blood orange bars (like lemon bars, but with blood orange), and some blood orange curd. And most likely this cocktail too, because I love blood oranges and alcohol. Thank you for the recipe!
Sharon says
Stuck at the airport on a 1 1/2 delay. So could use one of these. Will have to pick up these ingredients when we arrive at our destination immediately!!
Michelle Collins says
This cocktail looks so refreshing and delicious! I was sick for the latter part of the weekend, so I'm in need of a cocktail this evening!
bridget says
I know its only 9AM but I kind of want one of those cocktails right now!! I even have blood oranges at home! Looks so pretty!
Gia Grossman says
I could use one. I had to work yesterday so I could use two really. LOL!
LaTessa says
I will be making this tomorrow, thanks for sharing
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
I have a similar blood orange obsession...what is there not to love about them? Though on a path to make a cake today; glad I found you site and this cocktail. Especially glad that I have some extra juice after finishing the blood orange curd for the cake I'm going to make today.
I do a weekly cocktail post and recently made a blood orange margarita you might enjoy too. Gosh I'm going to miss these things!
http://www.creative-culinary.com/blood-orange-margarita
Cheers!
Heide M. says
Wish I had a sip of this.
Lori says
Thanks for this recipe. Since you like blood oranges.... here is an excellent recipe:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/oven-roasted-dungeness-crab-231591
It is divine! Enjoy. 🙂