Fall calls for this simple Blood and Sand recipe! The mix of Scotch whisky, orange juice, sweet vermouth, and cherry brandy makes it a delightful cocktail.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 186
Ingredients
- ¾ oz Scotch Whisky
- ¾ oz Cherry Heering
- ¾ oz sweet Vermouth
- ¾ oz fresh orange juice
- Ice cubes
- Orange zest twist or cherry - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Chilled Coupe Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail glass with ice and set it aside.
- In the shaker, pour in ¾ oz fresh orange juice.
- Add ¾ oz sweet Vermouth.
- Add ¾ oz Cherry Heering to the mix.
- Finally, measure out and pour ¾ oz Scotch Whisky into the shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice, secure the lid and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Discard the ice inside the cocktail glass. Using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the mixture into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry or express the orange zest on top of the glass. You can either discard it after or place it on the rim of the glass for an added citrus touch.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Scotch Whisky: If you don't have Scotch, use bourbon or rye whiskey. The flavor profile will change slightly, but it will still be delicious.
- Cherry Heering: This is a unique cherry liqueur that's hard to replace, but you can use another brand of cherry brandy if you can’t find any Cherry Heering.
- Sweet Vermouth: Any kind of red vermouth can be used for this recipe. You could also try a fortified wine like port or sherry (Oloroso, Palo Cortado or Pedro Ximenez for example) for a different flavor profile. Dry vermouth can also be used for a less sweet cocktail, although it will certainly result in quite a different-tasting cocktail. In that case, remember to adjust the other ingredients accordingly to maintain balance.
Making a Pitcher of Blood and Sand:
- Scale: To make a pitcher serving 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 6 oz of each ingredient.
- Mix: Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher. Add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice, serve immediately into chilled cocktail glasses and garnish with cherries or orange zest twists. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container as vermouth is prone to oxidation when kept at room temperature.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Scotch Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic whisky substitute; several on the market do an excellent job of mimicking the smoky flavor of Scotch. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own whisky substitute by making a strong brewed black or smoked tea: use 10g of tea for 1L (34 oz) of cold water. Stir well and let it infuse overnight in the fridge. Give it a taste, add some spices to taste (if necessary) and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea-whisky” can be kept for up to a week.
- Cherry Heering Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic cherry syrup (the one in the maraschino cherries can work very well!). You can make your own by simmering fresh cherries with sugar and water until syrupy.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
This cocktail is already vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal products. Ensure that the Scotch whisky brand you're using doesn't use any animal-derived fining agents during production.What is a Blood and Sand Cocktail?
A Blood and Sand is a Scotch whisky-based cocktail made of equal parts Scotch whisky, orange juice, sweet vermouth, and cherry brandy. The drink is relatively easy to make as it requires only the ability to measure ingredients accurately and shake them together in a cocktail shaker. However, the balance of flavors can be tricky to perfect due to the combination of strong, sweet, and fruity elements.
What is a Blood and Sand Cocktail made of – The ingredients
If you’re preparing a Blood and Sand, these are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Scotch Whisky forms the cocktail’s base, providing a robust and smoky flavor.
- Cherry Heering: A cherry liqueur that adds a sweet and fruity note to balance the smoky whisky.
- Sweet Vermouth: This fortified wine brings complexity and depth to the cocktail with its rich, herbal flavors.
- Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice gives a citrusy tang, brightening up the overall taste of the drink.
