This Blood Orange Sparkler is a simple blood orange cocktail with a splash of ginger ale and champagne. It's a lovely winter brunch cocktail, but can be enjoyed any time of day!
I used to save my drink posts for Fridays a la Cocktail Friday. But then I got out the champagne on a Wednesday evening. And then I remembered that some like to refer to Thursday as Thirsty Thursday. Though I don't know if anyone actually does that for real after college. My friends and I often say it to each other jokingly, which I think means we're old because it's almost always just a joke.
These days, you can often find me on Thursday evenings sipping some tea or V8 (love it? hate it? I'm V8 addicted!). Mayyybe a glass or two of red wine on occasion. I'm not sure if that qualifies as Thirsty Thursday behavior. Though I guess it does beat the alternative. Get out the V8 whooo!!! Chug chug!
In any event, now that it's blood orange season, I want ALL the blood oranges. And that includes in my cocktails. Um, with some champagne added in, of course. Popping open a bottle on "hump day" is exactly what the week needed. And now that it's Thursday, it's even more appropriate. Plus, it's St. Patrick's Day and uh, the ginger-ale bottle is green? Whatever, it's alcohol and that's all you really care about on St. Paddy's Day, right? That's what I thought.
BLOOD ORANGE SPARKLER COCKTAIL RECIPE:
If you love blood oranges as much as I do, it's quite likely blood orange cocktails will make you very excited. I mean, the color of this alone is enough reason to love it. And the taste is another! Essentially, it's a blood orange mimosa... With a splash of ginger ale added in for good measure. There's nothing complicated or fancy about it; but it's simple and delicious.
It was cold and I was feeling lazy and didn't feel like walking to the grocery store, though I knew I wanted to make this drink. Since I set up my mobile office at Bruegger's for the day (best mobile office ever!), I decided to run into Trader Joe's to see if, by chance, they had blood oranges. And they did!! A whole bag of them for under $3. Score!
Every time I cut open a blood orange, I marvel at its beauty. But let's just say that juicing them can get a bit messy.
When Chris walked in the door, he proclaimed the kitchen looked like a scene from Dexter. Dexter, in case you haven't watched, is a very excellent show. And this is coming from someone who really only likes reality television and shows like Greek (so sad it's over!) and Parenthood (best show on television!). By the way, what did everyone think about the Bachelor? I was happy initially, but really disappointed that I don't think they're going to work out. Also, I stayed up until 1:30 a.m. watching All. 3. Hours. Because I have an addiction and couldn't go to bed until it was done.
Oh, back to the blood oranges. Yup, they can get a little messy. But messy cooking/cocktailing is my favorite kind of cooking/cocktailing.
Juicing the oranges was really the hardest part of this whole production (which you should get a reamer for). The rest is just opening bottles and pouring liquids in... mixologist style.
And with that, I discovered the perfect "omg is winter almost over?? drink." That would also be delightful all summer long if only blood oranges would remain in season. Speaking of, I keep forgetting I have a pool at my apartment building since I didn't move in until August last year. Then all the sudden I'll remember and get SO ridiculously excited. Memorial day, can you please hurry up? I think I need to freeze some blood orange juice so I can make this my new pool drink.
Like I said, this blood orange cocktail is really like a fancy mimosa. But when I say fancy, I mean it's so, so much better. And prettier. And larger. Who wants a cocktail served in a little champagne glass anyway??
Also, blood oranges will be added to every fruit salad I make from now on. They're pretty and so tasty... If you've never had one, they actually taste a little bit like berries... definitely different than a typical orange. And messy. I'd wear an apron if I were you. Or at least not your nicest sweater (I may or not be speaking from experience here).
So, maybe this blood orange cocktail isn't totally St. Patrick's Day appropriate and maybe you should go drink a Guinness or something. Or maybe you should appreciate the fact that blood orange season is so fleeting and take full advantage of the fact that they're plentiful right now.
Are you a fan of blood oranges
Happy almost weekend 🙂
If you like this blood orange cocktail, check out my Blood Orange Habanero Cocktail and my Grapefruit Blood Orange Cocktail. I'm also in love with this Blood Orange Margarita from Dishes Delish!
Blood Orange Sparkler
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups freshly squeezed blood orange juice
- ½ cup ginger ale
- ½ cup champagne or prosecco
Instructions
- Fill glasses with ice and pour ¾ cup blood orange juice, ¼ cup ginger ale, and ¼ cup champagne into each.
leaf (the indolent cook) says
Love blood orange, and that looks like such a refreshing beverage. Also - I wish we have Trader Joe's here. Have a lovely weekend!
Ann says
These look great! Blood oranges always kind of scare and impress me at the same time. This would be a great party drink, you could make a pitcher of the mixer in advance, and add the champagne in for serving!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
I would chug this like you chug V8! 😉 I love blood oranges and this sparkler sounds fantastic. And yes, I think for St. Paddy's (or Thirsty Thursday) as long as there's alcohol, all is well!
theUngourmet says
Oh how I love Blood Oranges. You are so right, this is the perfect poolside drink! Bring on Summer! 🙂
-Kim
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
Those blood oranges are gorgeous! I've actually never seen Dexter but someone else made the same reference regarding the blood oranges recently.
Simply Life says
oh this drink is way too fun - sangria definitely makes me crave summer (and Spain)!
Bridget says
This is my kind of cocktail!! Light, citrusy, and not much alcohol haha! This makes me want to mix up something yummy! I never make myself cocktails at home, but maybe that should change 😉
Amy says
ooo that looks delightful! i've never had a blood orange - do they taste any different?? mmmm yum!!
Jess says
Ooh love V8 and blood oranges. But they both make a big mess! (especially if the V8 falls out of your fridge onto the floor, cover breaks, and goes everywhere. Not that this EVER happened to me.)
Michelle says
I adore blood orange anything. I have a bottle of sparkling blood orange juice in the fridge from Trader Joe's and tend to have that with champagne or with some vodka.
sweeter salt says
That looks so delightful. My friend and I are planning a champagne evening Saturday night, so perhaps some blood orange juice may need to be added! I got that same bag at Trader Joe's, so I suppose that would be the perfect use for them 🙂
Laura
Helene says
Great cocktail to start the week-end.!
Nicole says
What a pretty drink. Blood oranges make everything better! I was excited to find them at Trader Joe's, too and ours carries cara cara oranges. Score.
Chris says
Can I get one of these tonight? Please!
Ashley says
I am 29 and my girlfriends and I still enjoy Thirsty Thursday....it's always ladies night...no matter what! Either at the bar or home in our comfy clothes with a bottle of vino 🙂 This drink is definitely invited to my first ""Thirsty Thursday, Patio Party" yes, I still host patio parties...:)
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
Blood orange is such a gorgeous fruit - I absolutely love the color of that drink!
Mojitos and margaritas totally remind me of summer :).
Daisy says
I really want to make this! I've never worked with blood oranges (such a shame) but since I have a REAL juicer this is the perfect opportunity.
PS Jealous that you have a pool
PPS I thought Chantal was going to win.
Susi says
This looks like one delicious drink! The addition of blood orange juice is awesome. I'm bookmarking this one, as I can think of plenty of occasions I can serve this. 🙂
Monique says
i love frosty margaritas.
Question, what is the difference in flavor of a blood orange vs a regular orange (if any)?
Mary @ Delightful Bitefuls says
GREAT colors! Oooo this just looks wonderful... would it be bad to say I could go for one right now? 😉
emily @ the happy home says
my good friend has a blood orange tree, that i covet. talk about the perfect post-Patty's day Brunch drink!
Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says
That is one pretty orange! I'm heading to Trader Joe's! Great looking cocktail, adding this to the list! One of my favorites is White Sangria!
Erin says
These look amazing guys!! I love mimosa's so this takes it to a whole new level!!! 🙂
Eva says
That looks so beautiful! And it sounds delicious, to boot! Next time I throw a party I will definitely be making these.
Susan (Oliepants) says
This is so pretty! I have been wanting to experiment with blood oranges more - this would be an easy peasy way to start!
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather says
Blood oranges look amazing! They're definitely a stand out fruit. Love the drink. It looks so refreshing!
Sues says
@Monique and @Amy- I find blood oranges to be a bit sweeter than naval with a bit of a berry taste to them. You know how often when you peel an orange, you never know what it's going to be like? Blood oranges all seem to be sweet a juicy 🙂 Not a HUGE difference, but the color is stunning!
Megan says
That looks like a great way to welcome spring! I too love Parenthood! Best show!! And same thoughts about The Bachelor... though I'm hopeful they can pull through now that they can actually see each other.
Deborah Dowd says
Just looking at your photo makes me thirsty- this is a must try for my summer beach vacation!
Katie @The Small Boston Kitchen says
Blood orange = good. Champagne = great. Blood Orange + Champagne = Excellent! Glad you bended the rules and enjoyed this drink on a Thurs 🙂
The Duo Dishes says
Very pretty. And better than soda for sure!
Kerstin says
Blood oranges are so pretty - love this drink! I'll take one any day of the week 🙂
Meesh says
hahaha omg! i literally just posted a post that i used blood orange and champagne as well. I've had some pretty serious fails recently so i was determined to make something delicious, and the key was champagne! My recipe was just blood orange, champagne (andre) and cointreau and it turned out AMAZING. the downside was that I had to juice 20 blood oranges but it was so worth it.
jewel at EatDrinkShopLove says
Yum! I love Blood Oranges.
Txlady57 says
Sounds uber good! Another is the Chilton. Vodka, club soda, lots a lemons squeezed into and salt the rim! Greeattt summer drink!