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    Home » Recipes » Party Food

    5 Minute Blood Orange Gin and Tonic Recipe

    Mar 30, 2018(updated Aug 2, 2022)

    By Michelle Weiner

    Blood oranges are giving this Blood Orange Gin and Tonic a citrus twist! It’s a classic winter or spring cocktail with refreshing flavors and a ruby red color.
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    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
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    Close up of a partially drunk blood orange gin and tonic cocktail with a orange twist garnish on the surface in the foreground and jasmine flowers in background.

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    a glass half full with ice and a pink blood orange gin and tonic.

    A citrusy, bright, and tart cocktail for winter or spring

    If there’s one fruit I can’t get enough of from December to April, it’s blood oranges. This orange-skinned fruit with a crimson red flesh is one of the most gorgeous citrus fruits available. Its beautiful color and raspberry-like flavor give this Blood Orange Gin and Tonic its signature twist!

    There’s nothing quite as classic as a gin and tonic. But when you don’t want to flavor it with the usual lime juice or floral-forward rose water (my Rose Water Gin and Tonic is extra romantic), citrus juice is a marvelous choice. In this gin and tonic variation, the tartness from blood orange juice cuts right through the naturally bitter tonic water and botanical gin, leaving you with bright and slightly tart sips.

    close up on a pink blood orange gin and tonic in a rocks glass.

    a blood orange gin and tonic in a rocks glass.

    Simple ingredients only

    This blood orange and gin cocktail is a mixed drink you can enjoy throughout winter and spring. You only need a handful of simple ingredients:

    Gin

    The most important rule to making an enjoyable gin and tonic is to use a gin you love. My favorites are Hendricks, The Botanist, and Tanqueray, but any mid-priced brand you love will do instead.

    If you're a gin lover like me, you'll want to check out my other party-ready gin cocktails!

    Tonic water

    There is no one best tonic water for gin and tonics, but you want to use a good one to make sure each sip is more desirable than the last. My favorite tonic water is by Q Mixers and Fever Tree.

    Partially drunk blood orange gin and tonic cocktail with a orange twist garnish on the surface in the foreground and jasmine flowers in background.

    Blood orange juice

    Freshly squeezed juice is preferred but bottled juice with no added sugar (100% juice) will work as well.

    If you like your G&T’s on the sweeter side, you can add some simple syrup. Stir .5 to 1 ounce of sweetener into the cocktail and enjoy.

    Helpful cocktail tips

    Keep these tips in mind the next time you’re craving a citrus-infused G and T:

    Use quality ingredients

    Because this cocktail has so few ingredients, you’ll want to use high-quality stuff to help it taste its best. Avoid the ice that’s been sitting in your freezer for months, use freshly squeezed juice, and choose the liquor you already enjoy sipping on.

    a pink blood orange gin and tonic in a rocks glass.

    Make a frozen version!

    Take it from my Frozen Gin and Tonic recipe - frozen G&T’s are delicious and refreshing! To make a frozen blood orange gin and tonic, blend the ingredients together with a handful of ice until smooth and slushy, then enjoy.

    Make it ahead

    Simply mix the gin and blood orange juice together up to 3 days in advance. Keep the mixture in the fridge and pour over ice when it’s time to enjoy.

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    Alright, friend! It's your turn to make this delish recipe for your next get-together.

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    Recipe

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    Close up of a partially drunk blood orange gin and tonic cocktail with a orange twist garnish on the surface in the foreground and jasmine flowers in background.

    Blood Orange Gin and Tonic Cocktail

    Blood oranges are giving this Blood Orange Gin and Tonic a citrus twist! It’s a classic winter or spring cocktail with refreshing flavors and a ruby red color.
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    Author: Michelle Weiner
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Makes: 1 Cocktail

    Ingredients

    • 2 oz gin
    • 1 blood orange
    • 4 oz tonic
    • Lime wedge

    Instructions

    • Combine gin and the juice of one blood orange in a glass (preferably a highball glass, but use whatever you have).
    • Fill with ice and stir. Top with tonic, garnish with a lime wedge, and drink up. 
    Did you make this recipe?Share a pic and tag @cupofzest and use #cupofzest so I can see it!
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    Comments

      Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe Cancel reply

      Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe

      ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

      Not only will you be helping us out, but you'll also be spreading the love to other party planners looking for their next big hit!

      Your star rating and comment can make all the difference in helping others discover the perfect recipe for their next shindig. And let's be honest, who doesn't love a good party? So let's get this party started by sharing the love and making sure everyone has a delicious time. Thanks for being a part of the Party Food Crew! And remember, party more & stress less!

      🎉 Cheers,
      Michelle

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Melissa says

      April 07, 2018 at 10:04 pm

      I just tried this tonight and it is absolutely delicious!! The herbal flavors of the gin complement the blood orange perfectly. Best drink I’ve had in a long while.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Michelle and welcome to the party!

    After of working in the culinary world for over 10 years, I'm sharing the skills I've learned with you here at Cup of Zest. I'm here to help you invite your friends over more and stress less when cooking for them. Glad you're part of the crew!

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