Blood and Sand Cocktail Recipe

Name: Blood and Sand Cocktail Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 0.75 Oz Scotch whiskey; 0.75 Oz Cinzano Vermouth Rosso; 0.75 Oz Cherry liqueur; 0.75 Oz Blood orange juice; Orange peel, to garnish; Ice

link to raitings votes

Ratings: from .

PREP TIME 5 min

Cocktail Type

Whiskey

Great for

Dinner Party

Difficulty

Easy

JUMP TO RECIPE

Our Blood and Sand cocktail ingredients make for a delightfully sweet and refreshing tall drink with hints of spice. This classic citrus-based Scotch cocktail is high up on our list of orange juice cocktails, perfect for any season. Unfortunately, this cocktail has fallen to the wayside over the years, but we’re bringing it back!

What is a Blood and Sand cocktail?

This delicious citrus-based scotch cocktail made its first public appearance back in 1930 in the classic Savoy Cocktail Book, written by Harry Craddock. It’s not certain whether he invented it, and the exact history of the Blood and Sand cocktail might forever be a mystery. What we can tell you is that it was named after Rudolph Valentino’s 1922 silent movie, Blood and Sand—a film about bullfighting. While the movie was a big hit, we are happy to report that it does not taste like the movie’s title!

Classic Blood and Sand cocktail recipe

Blood and Sand cocktail ingredients include Scotch whiskey, sweet vermouth, cherry liqueur, and blood orange juice. It might seem like an odd combination, and maybe that’s why it never made it to the cocktail hall of fame, but we promise you it is surprisingly delicious (even if you’re not the biggest whiskey fan). Gather the troops, shake one up and give it a go!

QUICK TIPS

Store your vermouth in the fridge after opening and use within three months.

For best flavor (and color) results, make sure to use freshly squeezed blood orange juice.

For best juicing results, make sure your blood oranges are at room temperature.

INGREDIENTS

MAKE FOR

1 Person

0.75 Oz

22.5 Ml

0.75 Parts

Scotch whiskey

0.75 Oz

22.5 Ml

0.75 Parts

Cinzano Vermouth Rosso

0.75 Oz

22.5 Ml

0.75 Parts

Cherry liqueur

0.75 Oz

22.5 Ml

0.75 Parts

Blood orange juice

Orange peel, to garnish

Ice

INSTRUCTIONS

Add a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker

Add all the ingredients, close the lid and shake vigorously until extra cold

Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with an orange peel twist

Choosing your whiskey

This is one of the best whiskey cocktails you can make, and while good Scotch has its place, this is not it. Whiskey purists will tell you to reach for a bottle of blended Scotch, and we agree. It’s less expensive so stick to the middle-of-the-road whiskeys for this cocktail.

How strong is the Blood and Sand cocktail?

The strength of this cocktail will depend on two things. The type of whiskey you use and how much orange juice you add. On average, one Blood and Sand cocktail is about 16% ABV.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Luckily not like blood and sand! What are we? Matadors? You’ll know you've struck gold if you can taste each ingredient. The scotch gives off a bit of oak, the orange adds a citrus note, the cherry liqueur adds hints of tartness, and the sweet vermouth gives it a sweet and spicy finish. When balanced correctly, it is absolutely moreish.

To make sure your Blood and Sand is full-bodied and vibrant, you need to shake it until you break into a sweat.