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    Home ยป Drinks ยป Blood Orange Habanero Cocktail

    Feb 28, 2014 ยท Modified: Mar 4, 2020 by Sues ยท This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads ยท View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer ยท 13 Comments

    Blood Orange Habanero Cocktail

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    This Blood Orange Habanero Cocktail is a vodka-based drink that's packed with pretty winter citrus and the perfect spicy kick from habanero simple syrup.

    A closeup from above of the blood orange habanero cocktail with "Blood Orange Habanero Cocktail" written in text

    This has been a week. A week. That I am so, so thankful has come to an end. If I ever needed a cocktail on a Friday, it would be now. An extra-large giant glass filled with basically everything in my liquor closet. Yes, I have a liquor closet. It has some coats and kitchen appliances in it, too, but mostly a ton of liquor. I’d take a picture to show you, but I’m actually kind of embarrassed about it. It’s really a bit out of control and you might actually think I have some sort of problem if you see it. Let’s just say I like variety in my cocktails and I hate running out to the store at the last minute. And really, when you start to build up a proper bar, you start to realize just how many bottles you need. And if you don't have a "bar," then you need a closet.

    But back to my week. I won’t bore you with details on how Chris got ridiculously sick while we were in Virginia last week and how seeing that I’m married to him, it was inevitable that I would get ridiculously sick part-way through this week, too. I’ve been barely making my way through each day in some weird sort of haze and passing out in bed at 8:00 p.m. each night (if you know me, this is the opposite of normal). Finally on Friday night, I’m starting to feel somewhat close to normal again. But I don’t want to push my luck, so I’m thinking this evening calls for a cocktail and bed.

    My blood orange obsession is still going strong and will give me that extra boost of vitamin C I probably need. Plus, I think this habanero simple syrup is just the thing my sinuses are craving. See what I just did? So yes, this Blood Orange Habanero Cocktail is purely medicinal, friends. You’re welcome.

    First comes the simple syrup. I’ve mentioned this a bunch of times before, but I hate chopping peppers because I obviously don’t like getting the oils on my fingers (hello, contacts). That’s one reason I’m obsessed with my Chef'n VeggiChop (affiliate link). It minces my habanero right up for me.

    Habanero pepper in VeggieChop after being minced

    You'll use the habaneros to make a quick and easy simple syrup with a nice kick! While the cocktail recipe below makes one drink, you'll be able to get quite a few cocktails out of this simple syrup and it should stay good in your fridge for about a month.

    Blood oranges are generally quite juicy, so you shouldn't have a problem getting a lot of good juice out of them. You may, however, have some trouble not getting your outfit covered in red juice. I highly recommend an apron here... I also highly recommend that I take my own advice next time.

    Freshly squeezed blood orange juice in a measuring cup

    All that's left to do is to put all the cocktail ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake away.

    A view of the blood orange habanero cocktail from above with blood orange slice and lime wedge garnish

    And garnish the blood orange habanero cocktail glass with a pretty blood orange slice and lime… And even a habanero if you can figure out a way to get it on there and aren’t worried about burning anyone’s lips off.

    You can use that leftover habanero syrup all week long. To clear those sinuses.

    Chris actually called this the best cocktail I’ve ever made. And I’ve made a lot. And he’s drank a lot. So, I’ll certainly consider that a compliment. I do know that the way to his heart is spice. And blood oranges. Just a couple of his favorite things.

    But I agree that this does have many of the elements of the perfect cocktail. It's naturally sweet from the blood oranges and the habanero syrup has this super discrete spicy undertone. It kind of creeps up on you and goes just perfectly with the citrus.

    Blood orange habanero cocktail with fruit garnish and a red and white striped straw

    It also made me feel a little bit like I was on an island. But a super classy, strawberry daiquiri, piña colada-free island. Don’t get me wrong, I love a Miami Vice while poolside on a vacation. But I’d so much prefer something like this. Especially if it were an all-inclusive resort. Actually, that could get a tad bit dangerous. But seriously, tropical resorts... Please start making blood orange habanero cocktails immediately! Think about it... a blood orange cocktail in a tropical location is basically mocking all your silly friends at home in the cold winter. And a habanero cocktail brings the perfect spicy kick to the tropics!

    On that note, I’m pretty sure I need a vacation now. But hey, tomorrow’s March! And that means we’re one step closer to spring in Boston. Kind of hard to believe after the last few days of frozen-ness... but it’s definitely giving me faith to go on. Kind of like how Cocktail Friday works for me on a weekly basis. We can do it together, friends. One step closer to spring… And the next Cocktail Friday.

    A closeup of the blood orange habanero cocktail with blood orange slice garnish and lime wedge

    OK, I’m off to crash in my bed and hope I feel a bazillion times better in the morning. Happy weekend!

    What’s your normal bedtime? I’m crazy and never go to sleep before midnight… Except for this week.

    If you love blood orange cocktails as much as I do, be sure to check out my Grapefruit Blood Orange Cocktail!

    Blood Orange Habanero Cocktail

    This Blood Orange Habanero Cocktail is a vodka-based drink packed with pretty winter citrus and the perfect spicy kick from habanero simple syrup.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drink
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Makes: 1 cocktail
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    • ยฝ cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice (from about 6 blood oranges)
    • 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
    • 1 oz. habanero simple syrup (recipe below)
    • 1 ยฝ oz. vodka
    • Blood orange slices and lime wedges, for garnish (optional)

    Habanero Simple Syrup

    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 cups water
    • 1 habanero pepper, minced

    Instructions

    • Put blood orange juice, lime juice, habanero simple syrup, and vodka in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well.
    • Pour into an ice-filled glass.
    • Garnish the glass with a blood orange slices and lime wedges.

    Habanero Simple Syrup

    • In a medium saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, add in minced habanero and lower to a simmer.
    • Let mixture simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Then, Strain mixture into a bowl or mason jar, leaving peppers behind, and put in fridge to cool completely.

    Notes

    • Note that recipe cook time doesn't include cooling time for simple syrup.
    • Simple syrup can be made ahead and can kept in fridge for about a month.
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathy says

      March 01, 2014 at 1:10 pm

      Wow! That looks amazing. I'm already addicted to jalapeรฑo simple syrup. I might have to step up to habanero.

    2. Odetta says

      March 01, 2014 at 4:11 pm

      Such a vibrant stunning drink perfect for a fun weekend!

    3. Michelle Lahey says

      March 03, 2014 at 1:49 pm

      I love spicy cocktails!! And my normal bedtime during the work week is somewhere between 11 p.m. and 12 a.m., if I'm lucky. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    4. Tara says

      March 04, 2014 at 12:44 am

      Yum, those look marvelous! There must be something going around because a bunch of my friends (and I) have all been sick within the past month or so! Take care of yourself. ๐Ÿ™‚

    5. Jan says

      March 04, 2014 at 9:31 am

      Looks so colorful and yummy!! I enjoy Watermelon Habernaro Margueritas ,this looks even better.
      Printed and sharing this recipe with co workers.
      HURRY SPRING !!!

    6. Kitchen Belleicious says

      March 04, 2014 at 11:28 am

      crazy day here! this looks divine to me

    7. Ashley Bee @ Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine says

      March 04, 2014 at 12:22 pm

      Blood orange habanero margarita would be incredible. I might take this idea and run with it ๐Ÿ˜‰

    8. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

      March 04, 2014 at 3:24 pm

      Liquor closet sounds perfect. I'm loving blood oranges lately, too.

    9. Simply Life says

      March 04, 2014 at 4:37 pm

      it's no fun when sickness gets passed around -this drink looks like a great way to celebrate health...and trying to pretend we don't live in the coldest place!...

    10. Juliana says

      March 04, 2014 at 7:32 pm

      Lovely color...and yes spicy sounds just perfect!
      Thanks for the recipe...have a great week ๐Ÿ˜€

    11. Nicole says

      March 11, 2014 at 12:36 pm

      Sorry about your rough week! I love the sound of this with the habanero syrup and of course, the pretty pink color doesn't hurt either. Can't wait to try!

    12. Pam Greer says

      April 16, 2018 at 10:46 am

      5 stars
      This is the perfect way to enjoy blood oranges!!! I love the habanero kick too!

    13. April says

      April 16, 2018 at 11:03 am

      5 stars
      Love a little spice in a cocktail! This is a perfect summer drink ๐Ÿ™‚

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