blood orange cocktails that will knock your socks off!

I’ve gotten many requests to share the coveted recipe for Blood Orange Cosmos.  My dear friend Bart Miller graciously said that I could share it with you!  I warn you though, do not drink and drive after indulging in this delicious concoction…

Let me start off by saying that I had no idea what a blood orange was and had certainly never seen one before.  The outside, though a bit rosier, looks just like any orange. But cut it open and that’s where the similarities end.  My first batch had a mix of different colors…

Then my friends at Mate Gallery brought me these…

Here you go…

Bart’s Sensational Blood Orange Cosmos

Ingredients:

• 2 cups vodka
• 1 cup orange liqueur (I use Cointreau)
• 1 ½  cups blood orange juice
• ½ cup lime juice

My friend Bart, simply combines all of the above ingredients, pours it into a plastic Tupperware type container, and then freezes the entire concoction into an icy delicious treat! When ready to serve, use a spoon to break up the ice a bit and pour into chilled martini glasses. This is perfect for a warm evening just go slow!

Still, I had tons of delicious blood oranges left! Since I was having friends over for taco Tuesday, I decided to try something with tequila. The following recipe I found in Food & Wine magazine. Chef Dean Fearing created this drink which is a best seller at his wife Lynae’s popular Dallas restaurant Shinsei. “The sweet-tart blood orange flavor intensifies the margarita-ness of it. ”

Blood Orange Margaritas

Ingredients:

• 1 quart fresh blood orange juice
• 1 ½ cups fresh lime juice
• 1 ½ cups Cointreau
• 3 ½ cups silver tequila
• Kosher salt

Instructions:

1. In a large pitcher, mix the blood orange juice with the lime juice, Cointreau and silver tequila.  Refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes.
2. Spread a small mound of salt on a small plate.  Moisten the outer rim of 12 martini glasses with the orange wedge, then dip the rims into the salt to lightly coat.
3. Add ice to the pitcher and stir well, then strain into the prepared glasses.  Garnish each margarita with a blood orange slice and a sage sprig and serve.  (I omitted this step but had some blood orange slices in the pitcher)

These were perfect for Taco Night at The Little Glass House! Enjoy!!