The long-awaited (awaited by me, if no-one else) return of Cocktail Friday on the blog and this one is an update on an absolute classic: the Old-Fashioned. This particular Old-Fashioned is not really classic and purists would most probably throw their coasters at me or pelt me with ice… But it is a slightly twisted version of the Ritz Old-Fashioned. In any case it is Friday and I will mess around with classic cocktail recipes if I want to! I had some blood oranges in my fruit bowl begging to be used so they ended up juiced and in the shaker before they had a chance to say ‘I thought you were baking a blood orange cake?!’ – even fruit is on my case today.
If I sound like I am in an odd mood it is because I am. Despite (or maybe because) the kitchen remodel being finished I am still feeling out of sorts. I have been working from home for a rather long stretch and it is kind of getting to me. It is all kinds of wonderful but also rather lonely. Bingeing on entire series on Netflix is a definite perk though…
If you wish to make a proper Ritz Old-Fashioned, leave out the blood orange juice and replace with a squeeze of lemon instead. Whatever you do, beware that this is a proper grown up cocktail with a definite kick! Don’t skip out on the sugar rim as it adds a hint of sweetness which I think is needed (the classic cocktail contains sugar or sugar syrup).
Blood Orange Ritz Old-Fashioned
Serves 2
8 tbsp freshly squeezed blood orange juice
4 tbsp Bourbon
2 tbsp Grand Marnier
dash of Angostura bitters
4 maraschino cherries (cocktail cherries) to decorate
blood orange rind to decorate
granulated sugar & lightly beaten egg white to decorate glasses
Method
- Place the sugar and egg white in two separate shallow bowls or plates. Dip two rocks glasses into the egg white and frost with the sugar. Fill the glasses with crushed ice.
- Put a handful of fresh ice into your cocktail shaker and then add the juice, bitters, bourbon and Grand Marnier. Shake briefly and divide between the two prepared glasses. Decorate with 2 maraschino cherries threaded on a cocktail stick with the orange rind.
Lucy Parissi says
I am all for bringing back the old classics!
Luca Marchiori says
Lucy, you've done it again with these beautifully coloured cocktails. Mouthwatering. You are beginning to wean me off Gin and Tonic, Margaritas, and Cosmos. Here's to making the Old Fashioned modern.
Kathryn Liquid Grain says
Cocktail Friday is a very good thing! I want to make Champagne Friday a thing!
http://www.liquidgrain.co.uk
Lucy Parissi says
Yes!!! Am on same page – although I would call for Champagne weekend : )
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Ooh I am very happy it's cocktail friday! What a recipe too. This blood orange old fashioned not only looks divine but I bet it tasted incredible too.
Sarah James says
I love the colours, almost a shame to drink them 🙂 Hope you get back to your old self soon Lucy x
Jennie Cranham says
This sounds delicious, and the colour is so pretty!
Hope you're feeling brighter soon. Days can be surprisingly tough without fixed routine to ground you, and people to bounce off all day, can't they.
Jennie // Scarletscorchdroppers
xx
Lucy Parissi says
Uncertainty is a horrible thing… but I am very happy to be able to blog without restrictions!
Angela ' My Golden Pear says
What a gorgeous colour. I could happily consume a couple of cocktails right now but sadly my supplies are a bit low 🙁 Hope you find your mojo soon.
Lucy Parissi says
I would love to catch up with you Angela! It has been too long…