Bitters are a classic cocktail ingredient, adding a sharp note to drinks or helping to blend a variety of flavors together. While citrus bitters date back to the 19th century, blood orange is a newer option, part of the modern interest in these classic cocktail components. Blood-orange bitters can be alcoholic or nonalcoholic, and may be used in a variety of cocktails or nonalcoholic drinks.
Ingredients
Blood-orange bitters rely upon blood-orange peel, often with the pith intact. Lemon or bitter orange may be added for additional citrus flavor. Spices, including pepper, or aromatics like coriander or cardamom, add both a slight medicinal flavor and a bit of warmth. High-proof grain alcohol is used to extract the flavor if you've opted for alcoholic bitters, but you can purchase nonalcoholic bitters at your local liquor store. Nonalcoholic blood-orange bitters include sugar, water and flavor extracts.
Classic Cocktails
Citrus-flavored bitters like blood-orange bitters can add a bit of brightness to a variety of cocktails. Pair blood-orange bitters with either gin or vodka, or use bitters too balance the heaviness of scotch whiskey in a variety of traditional cocktails. Add a small splash to a gin martini or go playful by pairing blood-orange bitters, grapefruit soda and vodka.
Champagne Drinks
For a change on your usual brunch mimosa, pair blood-orange bitters with bubbly. Add a sugar cube and a dash of blood-orange bitters to a glass of Prosecco for a bittersweet flavor. Dress up your usual sweet Bellini by adding a splash of bitters to the usual mixture of peach nectar and champagne.
Nonalcoholic Drinks
If you'd like the look and feel of a cocktail without the alcohol, add depth to a sometimes too-sweet drink with blood-orange bitters. Pair fruit-flavored syrups like lemon, orange or pomegranate with soda and bitters, or add spice tones like cardamon, which also work well in these drinks. Make a champagne cocktail with blood-orange bitters, replacing the usual champagne with a nonalcoholic variety.
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