Blood Orange Vodka Sour Recipe ~ Barley & Sage (2024)

This blood orange vodka sour is light, a little tangy, and super smooth thanks to the egg whites! It's the perfect co*cktail for date night or Sunday brunch!

Citrus season is in full swing and I couldn't be happier (specifically, blood orange season)! Blood oranges just have the most beautiful, vibrant color that makes them perfect for co*cktails and desserts (like these blood orange madeleines)!

What is a Vodka Sour?

A sour co*cktail typically contains some type of liquor + citrus juice + a sweetener. They're super simple and delicious!

• Liquor - Sours can be made with just about any spirit; whiskey, vodka, gin, etc. My favorite is vodka!
• Citrus Juice (aka the “sour”) - Traditionally you'll see lemon or lime juice, but I love using blood orange juice instead!
• Sweetener- Simple syrup is the most common sweetener you'll see. I love making my own blood orange simple syrup with the leftover orange peels!
• Egg white- This is optional, but what gives a sour co*cktails that rich, creamy foam on top!

Ingredient Notes

• Blood Oranges- The beautiful blood oranges are the star of this co*cktail! However, any type of oranges (or other citrus like lemon or grapefruit) would work just as well.
• Simple Syrup- You can add as little or as much simple syrup as you like but it's totally optional if you prefer a more sour co*cktail!
• Vodka- I usedKetel One Botanicals Peach & Orange Blossomvodka because it's my favorite and pairs beautifully with the blood oranges! But any regular or citrus vodka would be delicious! You could also use your favorite gin, pisco, or whiskey!
• Egg Whites- You might be a skeptical about adding egg whites to your co*cktail, and I get it. But it adds the most luxurious, frothy texture and really brings all the flavors together! If you're worried about consuming raw egg white, I recommend buying a carton of pasteurized egg whites at your local grocery store!
• Orange Bitters - I like to add a dash or two of orange bitters to add a bit of complexity and enhance the flavor of the blood oranges, but you can leave them out if you prefer!

How to Make Simple Syrup

I always make my own simple syrup for co*cktails because it's so easy and paying for it seems silly to me! You can also add in different herbs or fruit for a delightfully flavored simple syrup.

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup water
• leftover blood orange peels (optional)

1. Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat. If desired, add in the orange peel as well.
2. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Let cool completely to room temperature, then strain into a glass jar and seal tightly with a lid.
4. Store in the fridge for up to a month!

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