Blood Orange Cocktail and Blood Orange Infused Water Beverage

 The white snow blanketing our surroundings this winter for me, was pretty up until snow storm #5.  Yesterday for a split second while shopping in the produce section at the market,  I caught myself daydreaming as if I were on a tropical island surrounded by  lush greenery, vibrant colored flowers and aromatic fruit trees.  A split second  latter I disappointedly returned back to winter’s reality pushing my cart wearing my new wrist warmers and wool hat.  After enjoying that daydream, I decided to shopping a little slower taking a few extra moments to soak in the beautiful colors lining the aisle surrounding me. The colorful fruits and vegetables appeared to be extra pretty yesterday.  They brighten my day and inspired me to create a few recipes last night using Blood Oranges. I greeted my husband  at the door last night with this “Stay-cation” Blood Orange Cocktail, click see more for three new recipes inspired  by yesterdays shopping experience. 

 

#1 Blood Orange Cocktail

Ingredients

1 qt. Mason Jar

1/3 cup Blood Orange Simple Syrup (see my recipe below)

2/3 cup White Rum

1 1/2 cup Prosecco liquor

1   blood orange slice cut into quarters; plus 2 whole blood orange slices

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves; plus 2 whole sprigs for garnish

2 tall tumbler glasses

6 cups ice cube

Step-by-Step

1  combine 2 cups ice, Blood Orange Simple Syrup, White Rum, and Prosecco in Mason Jar; squeeze quartered orange slice; mix well

2  place 1 cup ice into each tall tumbler class; pour mixed cocktail over ice; garnish each with sprig of mint and one whole orange slice

Yields 2 cocktail

Recipe #2~Blood Orange Infused water below

A few days ago The Godmother of Gloucester ~ Sefatia Giambanco Romeo Theken made a post to her Facebook page sharing the fact that I have been personally making and drinking infused waters that are homemade using real fruit and herb flavorings for years. We have a standing joke about my flavored waters and mason jars.  Sefatia is not a big fan of drinking water on a daily basis., and is on mission like many others to lose weight and eat healthy. I’m hoping this recipe encourages her, and many others to infuse water with tastes that pleases your pallet and tantalizes your taste buds!

#2 Blood Orange Infused Water

Ingredients

1 qt. mason jar

3  cups ice

1 teaspoon Blood Orange Simple Syrup (see recipe below)

6 mint leaves

3  Blood Orange Slices; cut 1/4 inch thick

Spring or Sparkling Water

Step-by Step

1  place 1 ½ cups ice, 3 mint leaves and 3 orange slices  into mason jar; top with remaining ice

2  add Blood Orange Simple Syrup and enough water to fill jar; mix well and enjoy!

Yields 1 beverage

Recipe #3 below

#3 Blood Orange Simple Syrup

Ingredients

1 cup Blood Orange Juice

1 cup granulated sugar

Step-by-Step

1 combine ingredients in small sauce pan; bring to rolling boil over high heat; boil 23 minutes; reduce heat to medium /high; boil 15 minutes until liquid slightly reduces and thickens; stir often

2  strain hot syrup through fine mesh strainer; store in airtight bottle; refrigerate up to 7 days

Note~ when boiling sugar, always have a small cup water and pastry brush handy to prevent sugar crystals from forming on inside edges of pan; working quickly dip brush into water and immediately rub the wet brush along the inside edge of pan . This washing process will help prevent sticky sugar crystals from burning to insides of pan.