This blood orange mocktail is not only extremely easy to do, but because it’s freshly squeezed, is also good for you! Mocktails don’t get any easier than this!
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Table of contents
We’re in the middle of March now, and the blood orange season here in the UK is fast drawing to a close. All our blood oranges are imported, mainly from Italy, some from Spain.
The late season blood oranges are softer to the touch, yield more juice and are most definitely, sweeter than the early and mid season ones, producing the most exquisite juice.
What are Blood Oranges?
Blood oranges are, as the name suggests, a variety of orange. They are so called because their flesh is a dark red, blood-like colour. This colour is caused by the same pigment that gives you red and purple vegetables, anthocyanin.
Blood oranges are a touch sweeter than regular oranges, with hints of raspberry and with also a touch of bitter. They also have a deeper aroma.
You can read more about Blood Oranges here.
Blood Orange Mocktail
The juice of the blood orange, especially at this time of the year, is deliciously sweet and complex. It makes a wonderful drink.
So I thought I’d jazz it up a little, instead of just serving fresh orange juice, I thought blood orange mocktail would sound better! But I still wanted to keep it simple.
So we’ve got:
- freshly squeezed blood orange juice
- a little rosemary
- lemongrass
- some fizzy water (I’m using Perrier)
That’s all you need, and the kids and non drinking adults don’t have to feel like they’re missing out when they have this blood orange mocktail in hand! My oldest, the fruit-hating vegetarian, loves this drink. So you know it’s got to be good!
If you want to jazz it up even more, use one of your favourite mixers (tonic water). These days, there are so many brands and flavours out there, you are spoilt for choice.
The final drink is a delicious blend of citrusy sweet, pine, grassy with hints of lemon and a touch of woody.
What? You need to turn this into an adult drink?
Really? Must you? Alright, alright.
Orange juice is very cocktail friendly and there are so many spirits that it loves. Some of my favourites:
- Any Triple Sec spirits will work well, seems rather obvious, doesn’t it? My favourite is Cointreau, click to read LinsFood’s review. Did you know there are 3 flavours of Cointreau? You bet!
- D.O.M. Bénédictine – click to read more.
- Tequila
- Vodka and so many more.
More Alcohol Free Drinks
If you like the recipe and article, don’t forget to leave me a comment and that all important, 5-star rating! Thank you!
And if you make the recipe, share it on any platform and tag me @azlinbloor, and hashtag it #linsfood
Lin xx
Easy Blood Orange Mocktail (with Rosemary and Lemongrass)
Ingredients
- 4 blood oranges, large
- 2 lemongrass, bruised
- 2 rosemary sprigs, small ones will do, see images
- 200 ml (4/5 cup) fizzy water to top up
- ice cubes (about 2 per serving)
Instructions
- Squeeze the juice out of your blood oranges and set aside in a jug.
- Pick a few leaves the bottom of the rosemary sprigs. You only need about 5 leaves per serving. Divide the leaves between 2 glasses, and using a muddler or the back of a teaspoon, crush the rosemary leaves slightly. You don't need to go mad here, rosemary is such a powerful herb, a little bruising is all that's needed to release its essential oils and aroma.What I like to do, is lightly char the rosemary twigs first. Just 2-3 seconds on the stove will do. Then, once they're not burning hot, pick the leaves and continue with this step. This introduces a burnt wood aroma, which is really nice and just another layer to our simple drink.
- Chop of a little of the top of the lemongrass to tidy up. Using the back of a knife, pound down on the bulbous (thick) end of the lemongrass to split it a little. This is you bruising the lemongrass. Read more about it here. Place a bruised lemongrass in each glass.
- Drop in the ice cubes.
- Pour in the blood orange juice, dividing equally between the 2 glasses. Using the lemongrass stalk, just stir everything up, just a little, to mix the flavours and aromas.
- Top with the fizzy water and garnish with a rosemary spring in each glass and serve immediately.
This mocktail recipe looks so refreshing. I will definitely try this with my friends once we meet up.
Thanks Len!
Definitely some vodka in these trying times lol. Love the colour and picture too.
Haha, can’t argue with that!
Oooh, this sounds lovely. I may add prosecco with mine!
This is a great mocktail recipe. My sisters rarely drink anything with alcohol so I guess this one would be a welcome treat for them next time we meet up. It looks so refreshing and delicious! A perfect drink to enjoy for our bonding moments!
This is looks yum delicious drink and perfect for summer I would love to make this at home for now I will save this post Thanks for this!
A pleasure, thank you, Maysz!
This drink is marvelous. I have not tried this before and with your article made me think this for another option.
Glad to hear that, Jack!
This looks divine! I’ve been trying to curve how much alcohol I’ve been drinking so I will definitely have to make this. I can’t wait to check out your other recipes – your food pictures are beautiful!
Thank you Katrina, I know what you mean about alcohol consumption!
This sounds absolutely delicious, so refreshing and simple! Defiantly going to whip this one out as the weather gets warmer (and maybe possibly spike it a little too!) x
Haha, yes, spiking it is definitely the way to go!
I just made it and it’s so delicious! I felt like I was having a real drink, the herbs are really nice in there. Thanks Lin.
Thanks Rose, I’m so glad you liked it!