• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Cup of Zest logo

  • HOME
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sides
  • Videos
  • Summer
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Videos
    • About
    • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Gin Cocktails

    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.
    No ratings yet
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Jump to Recipe Leave a Comment
    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.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    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.

    What is a blood orange?

    Blood oranges are just like regular oranges, but they’re smaller in size and have red flesh. They’re sweet, tart, and taste similar to raspberries. You can find blood oranges growing in warm climates (usually in California and Florida) and are in season here in North America from December to April.

    The citrus fruit gets its signature red color from something called anthocyanin. The change in color happens as the fruit grows in a climate with hot days and cool nights. Blueberries, rhubarb, and eggplant all go through the same chemical reaction.

    Blood oranges can be used practically anywhere regular oranges or orange juice is used. Add the juice or fresh orange slices to a fruity sangria recipe, in mimosas, and even fruit salad!

    The history of gin and tonics

    A gin and tonic is a simple, 2-ingredient drink with a rich history. According to Slate.com, British officers stationed in India during the 19th century would add gin to their ration of quinine-heavy tonic. The gin would mellow out the bitter flavor while the quinine helped prevent and treat malaria. It was a win-win!

    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.

    Not into gin? No problem. Swap it for vodka, white rum, or blanco tequila instead. For a non-alcoholic version, omit the gin and top the mocktail with extra tonic water.

    Tonic water

    Tonic water is a carbonated soft drink made from water and quinine. The quinine is naturally bitter but is toned down once it’s mixed with gin.

    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 make a custom blood orange simple syrup or regular simple syrup. Stir .5 to 1 ounce of sweetener into the cocktail and enjoy.

    Lime wedge

    For garnish! If you want to go all out, swap the lime wedge for a blood orange slice.

    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.

    🎉 It's time to cook! 🎉

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

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ When you do, please leave a comment and star rating below so we can hear what you think! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    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.
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Rate Pin
    Author: Michelle Weiner
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Makes: 1 Cocktail

    Ingredients

    • 2 oz gin
    • 1 oz tonic syrup
    • 1 blood orange
    • 4 oz chilled club soda
    • Lime wedge

    Instructions

    • Combine gin, tonic syrup, 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 club soda, 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!
    « 1940's Eggnog Chiffon Pie
    Hot Buttered Rum »

    Sharing is caring!

    382 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Reddit
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Miss Windsor says

      April 24, 2018 at 2:13 pm

      Hello, darling! Invigorating reicpe. Just what I need after a hard days graft in the kitchen!
      Miss Windsor X

      Reply
    2. 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

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    woman with brown hair wearing a blue button up shirt smiling and holding a frozen mango margarita

    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!

    More about me →

    As Seen On

    Popular Recipes

    • 4 Ingredient Shaken Grapefruit Vodka Martini
    • Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail w/ Fresh Ginger
    • 1960's Cinnamon Candy Apples
    • Two-Ingredient Applesauce Squares

    🎉 Free eCookbook Alert! 🎉

    Fall Recipes

    • Baked Brie in a Bread Bowl with Garlic
    • 5 Ingredient Baked Brie with Apricot Preserves
    • 31 Party Worthy Holiday Baked Brie Recipes
    • Eyeball Deviled Eggs (Halloween Party Recipe)

    Disclosure

    This site may include affiliate links, meaning I may receive a commission if you purchase something through a link at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • HOME
    • Recipes
    • Videos

    Copyright © 2023 Cravings Pro · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · WordPress · Web Stories · Privacy Policy

    382 shares