Blood Orange Negroni: the perfect Christmas Cocktail
This post for Blood Orange Negroni was originally posted on the 24th of December 2020.
When this post was written last year, Christmas was already fast approaching and I couldn’t leave out my favourite drink for the holidays: a Blood Orange Negroni. Last year though everything was completely different, and admittedly this year I have been far too busy to help the ladies with this blog. While most of you might know, I have started my university course in Classical studies and Archeology and since then, I have been around less and less.
To say that I am enjoying university, it’s an understatement. But you know it does get a lot at times, especially when it comes to completing essays and turning them in. I do not thrive on stress, especially when I have handed in my assignments and I am awaiting the grades. So this is when this brilliant Blood Orange Negroni came back to mind! I needed a nice, warming drink to forget, at least for a minute, about those essays and grades. So what more could I wish for?
Negronis are very easy to make and they are a palate-pleaser! Not only they are so very easy to make, but they are also very versatile. This is always a plus since you can add plenty of different ingredients depending on seasonality. I mean who doesn’t love blood orange? I definitely do. And that has never been a secret before, right?
When it comes to cocktails, we are not major drinkers of them. Or major drinkers in general. But sometimes it’s bound to happen that we feel like having one. And this is such an easy one to make, you are bound to fall in love with it too!
What is a Negroni?
Negroni is a very classic and elegant cocktail, from the motherland of Italy. I know, I generally don’t like to brag about my country of birth, BUT this is too good not to share. Before we delve into the cocktail itself, here is how it was born. It is unknown where exactly it originated, but it seems Florence is the first place where this drink was mixed. It was Count Negroni who wanted to strengthen its usual drink of choice, the Americano. So gin was added, replacing the original soda water and bang! We have our beloved Negroni.
Now, whether this is true or not, we will never know. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the drink itself.
What ingredients do I need to make this Blood Orange Negroni?
You will see I used some specific ingredients for the drink. Blood oranges are in season now in December and are the best oranges to do anything with. I buy them at our weekly farmers market and just love them so much. But that is probably very much clear by now.
I used bitters from Aecorn, as I found they add a more aromatic flavour than Campari. They are also alcohol-free, so you can lower the ABV on this drink if you don’t want something as strong as the original. But Campari will work absolutely fine and if that is more your cup of tea, then please go ahead!
Okay, enough of me talking. Let’s go and enjoy this Blood Orange Negroni!
Blood Orange Negroni
Ingredients
- 25 ml of Blood Orange Juice
- 25 ml of Aecorn Bitters
- 20 ml of Juniper Gin
- 20 ml of Sweet Vermouth
- A slice of Blood Orange or the Peel of a Blood Orange
- Ice
Instructions
- Start by chilling your glasses ahead of preparing your drinks. The colder the glass, the better.
- As the Negroni needs no shaking, you will be preparing the drink straight in the glass. Add the ice to the glass of your choice.
- Start adding the ingredients in the following order: gin first, then followed by Vermouth, the orange juice and to complete, the bitters.
- Mix using a cocktail stirrer and serve.
- Garnish with a slice of peel, twisted into the glass or a slice of blood orange.
Shop the post
Whisky Glass Set of 4, £17.99 / Whiskey Stones, £9.99 / Cocktail Making Set, £11.99 / Campari Bitter 70cl, £13.00 / Aecorn Bitters, £19.99 / Citrus Peeler & Zester Duo, £5.99 / Ice Cube Tray, £12.99
If you don’t like Negronis, we have another cocktail just here, which we have made in collaboration with Good & Proper Tea for tea week. It’s a very particular flavour, but oh so nice and you definitely don’t want to miss out on that! If you are a tea drinker, that is a great one for you.
We recommend using also dry ice or those little fake ice cubes, I believe they are called Whiskey Stones. They are better than normal ice because, let’s face it, who has space for ice in the freezer?! We definitely don’t, ha! Also, no one likes a watered-down drink, including a cocktail.
Anyway, let me know in the comments what you think of this Blood Orange Negroni or which is your favourite to drink over the holidays!
If you are after our gift guides, our latest is this one on eco-friendly gifts and you must not miss out on it. And if you are after some food instead, don’t forget to check out our latest recipe for Christmas sausage rolls and these mini candy cane cookies from our bestie Lynn. She guest-posted for us recently and you definitely need some of these in your life!
And if you are feeling lucky, why not enter our latest Great Festive Giveaway? We have teamed up with some amazing top UK bloggers to bring you some out-of-this-world prizes! But be quick – this only runs up until the 15th of December and it has prizes for a grand total of almost £750! Do you want to make sure you are the favourite person in the family this year? Then it’s a no-brainer!
PIN THIS!
A negroni is a bitter cocktail but the vermouth
and orange garnish add enough fruity sweetness to balance it out.
The taste is herby, a bit rooty – think liquorice root
– and then there are some deep dark fruit flavours. The gin is present too so there’s that
classic juniper tang, notes of lemon and coriander seed.
I don’t think I have ever had a Negroni before. Does it taste similar to Aperol or am I way off the mark?
Blood oranges are my fav, so I will definitely have to give this one a go. Thanks for sharing another yummy recipe, I’ve pinned this so I can make it later!
Aimsy xoxo
I would say not so similar, but definitely worth a try!
I like a fruity drink! I don’t drink (much) and this is my first time hearing about negroni. Sounds amazing! My friends would definitely like this 😀
I hope you all enjoy it x
I LOVE a good cocktail! I know it’s crazy but when they have vitamins (like Vitamin C from Oranges) I feel like it’s a healthy drink. lol Thanks for sharing!
HAHA I love that! Still vitamins, you know?!
Federica this sounds incredible! Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful holiday drink, and your pictures look incredible! I’ll have to give this a try with hosting this holiday season ( as I’m alcohol-free due to my health).
You can replace everything alcoholic in this drink for sure so you can enjoy it as well Alex x
I’m such a huge fan of new drinks and will definitely be saving this one! Looks so tasty!
Thank you Riyah x
Oh my! I need to try this (alcohol free though) recipe ! It looks bloody lush😍
Replacing the alcoholic side of things in this cocktail it’s pretty easy!
You best believe that I’m considering starting to drink at 10am right now because this sounds SO DAMN GOOD. Yes, please! I need this drink in my life like yesterday. Refreshing and bright and definitely perfect for the holidays!
AHAHA oh myyyyy Stephanie, some days day drinking should be allowed ha!
Fantastic post! I love cocktails and I’m always up for trying new recipes. Thanks for sharing x
Thank you Eleanor x
Oh this sound gorgeous! Gin and I don’t mix very well but maybe if I take it easy I reduce the risk of going into a full on gin-rage!
There are some alcohol-free alternatives to gin you could try so that no anger or rage is involved x
Ooh this sounds delicious! I love anything that involves gin so I can definitely see myself trying this at some point.
Saph x
http://www.simplysaph.co.uk
Thank you Saph x
I’ve never heard of negronis but they sound amazing! The blood orange especially sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing, I’ll have to keep this in mind!
Thank you Clarissa. Definitely try it, it will rock your socks ?
This cocktail looks delicious!!! I’m adding it to my list of drinks to try in 2021. Thanks for sharing it! ❤️
Thank you Meredith!
I absolutely love a Negroni, especially around this time of year! Your blood orange twist sounds so delicious – I’ll have to give it a go x
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
Thank you Faye! I love both so it made sense to put them together! Xx
I’ve never tried this but it sounds interesting! Thanks for sharing your recipe xx
http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/
I have never tried this before but it sounds so delicious. I love anything blood orange so need to give this a try.
Thank you Kelly! Blood Orange is one of my favourite seasonal fruits. Anything with it will make me go “me me me”! Lol
Sounds delicious! I’m a gin fan. Def trying this!
Thank you Claudia, let us know what you think!x
This sounds delicious; I like a fruity drink and blood orange always adds a marvelous tang! The mix of gin and sweet vermouth contrasts the bitters nicely too. 🙂
Thank you Jaya! Yes, we love a standard Negroni generally, so adding a seasonal touch was perfect!
Oh my gosh, sounds delicious! I love gin lol And I didn’t even know I did until recently.
Thank you Giulia!xx
Wow this drink looks and sounds amazing! I loved that you included some history! Thanks for sharing.
I was about to ask if this could be mixed with alcohol before I read gin as one of the ingredients haha. The name’s so intriguing, even when you don’t see it you know it’s gonna be delicious! I’d love to try this but sadly I don’t think there are no available ingredients here at the moment. Would love to taste this!
http://www.lifebeginsattwenty.com
Oh no! I am pretty sure it can be done with normal oranges as well, just perhaps add 5ml more of bitters. I recommend some products, but Angostura bitters work the wonders too!