Okay. It’s Friday. I am NOT on antibiotics or painkillers (currently – let’s not push my luck too far) and the kitchen remodel is very nearly FINISHED!!!!!
If I could, I would fill this entire post with exclamation marks – such is my excitement over a) having a real kitchen again b) not being surrounded by builders 10 hours a day.
It is only fitting to celebrate all of the above with a most beauteous blood orange Cosmopolitan.
Blood oranges are all over food blogs and Pinterest and there’s a very good reason for that.
Not only does their juice taste incredible it looks gorgeous and the oranges themselves are like fruit of an acid trip – just sheer technicolour madness.
Hoping to experiment with the remaining blood oranges in some baking recipes – if they don’t magically end up in a cocktail tonight… I have a sneaking suspicion they will!
Cosmopolitans may seem a bit passé now – they had their heyday in the ’90s – and I must admit I haven’t ordered or made one in years.
I think the addition of blood orange gives this cocktail a real taste boost – I wanted to make another the minute I finished my first.
If you are in the UK and wondering where to find blood oranges, I got mine from Ocado having searched everywhere for them for ages. Anyway… here’s to Friday, here’s to a finished kitchen! Cheers everyone xxx

Cocktail Friday: Blood orange cosmopolitan
Ingredients
- 120 ml | 4fl oz | 1/2 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice
- 60 ml | 2fl oz | 1/4 cup cranberry juice
- 80 ml | 2.7fl oz | 1/3 cup vodka I used Żubrówka
- 60 ml | 2fl oz | 1/4 cup Cointreau
- dash orange bitters
- blood orange slices to garnish or orange peel
Instructions
- Fill two martini glasses with ice to chill them (or put in the freezer for 20 minutes)
- Add all the ingredients to your cocktail shaker together with a large handful of ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Discard the ice from the glasses and strain the cocktail between the two. Garnish with a ribbon of orange peel or a thin slice of blood orange.
Rosie alittlelusciousness says
Love these. I make blood orange cocktails for my pop up restaurants, and use blood orange which I make into a syrup, mixed with vodka and prosecco – so good (and strong!)
Rosie xx
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
You've got me craving a cocktail right now Lucy. These look divine!
Luca Marchiori says
Passé or not, the Cosmo is one of only two cocktails I make and drink on a regular basis—the other is the Margarita. I have a stock of blood oranges I was saving for a tarte aux agrumes but having seen this, they might not last the evening. BEAUTIFUL photos.
Gemma says
The pictures are SO beautiful! I love the vibrant red colors, almost hypnotizing! I've seen some pictures of your finished kitchen on Instagram and it looks amazing, I'm in love with the tiles.
You just gave me the perfect excuse to use a bunch of lonely blood oranges I've had in my kitchen all week.
xoxox
Kat BakingExplorer says
LOVE the colour! So vibrant!
[email protected] says
LOL I swear I read your post but somehow I didn't see the vital part! LOL I feel like such loser right now. hahaha
Lucy Parissi says
Newsflash: found blood oranges at Sainsbury's today #happy
Kate Glutenfreealchemist says
Your photography is always just stunning Lucy! Do you run photography courses? If you don't…. you should! Lovely cocktail. Lovely pics!
[email protected] says
I would totally go for one right now, especially if made by you, my friend! Making a Cosmo with blood oranges is making them fresh and hip again. 😉 By the way, where did you buy yours? I am obsessed with blood oranges but don't see them anywhere this year. Mind you, I haven't had much time to shop around but still…what's your secret spot?
Lucy Parissi says
The answer is in the post – Ocado! I too was looking for them everywhere and was thrilled to find them online. I would totally make cocktails for us – though may be easier to actually go out when you aren't so crazy busy.
Jennie Cranham says
Gorgeous! I was just drinking blood orange cosmopolitans on Saturday night. They're so good aren't they! I just can't get enough of blood oranges at the moment x
Lucy Parissi says
I haven't had a Cosmo in at least a decade – but these are amazing. I am addicted!
Keep Calm and Fanny On says
Oh yesssss please!