This classic gin and orange cocktail recipe is sweet, citrusy, herbaceous and rich in all the best ways. A simple mix of gin, orange juice and vermouth, it has a beautiful and complex flavour profile yet is so easy to make at home.
Scroll down to discover the full recipe below!
What drink is an Orange Blossom?
Orange Blossom is a Prohibition-era, three-ingredient gin cocktail made with gin, sweet vermouth and orange juice.
Just like a Negroni, the Orange Blossom uses all three ingredients in equal quantities - the ratio being 1:1:1.
The cocktail can be constructed in the glass with ice or, for a smoother texture, it can be stirred in a mixing glass with ice and then gently poured into the glass.
The cocktail can be served in a rocks glass, over ice, or in a chilled martini glass depending on your preference.
The result is a gin and orange cocktail recipe that’s far more exciting than a Screwdriver and a great alternative to a Negroni for those that don’t like the bitterness of a Negroni (the Negroni is exactly the same recipe however bitter Campari is used instead of orange juice).
What ingredients do you need for an Orange Blossom cocktail recipe?
When a recipe is as simple as this it relies on the quality of its ingredients.
For the gin, we recommend a high-quality London dry. Great Glen Light & Zesty Highland Edition, Craft Gin Club’s July 2023 Gin of the Month is perfect for an Orange Blossom.
It is made with a fragrant mix of botanicals like orange blossom and eucalyptus which offer floral tones, zesty pink peppercorns which bring out wonderful spice and citrus aromas, and watercress with its savoury, peppery edge that works so well in contrast to the orange juice.
For the sweet vermouth, we recommend trying Punt E Mes. It has an aromatic bouquet of herb and spice notes that complement the gin and the sweet orange flavours wonderfully.
And then there is the orange juice. There is no replacement for freshly squeezed orange juice in this gin cocktail recipe. It’s bright and light and elegant and full of refreshing natural flavours that excite the palate.
How to make an Orange Blossom cocktail:
25ml Great Glen Light & Zesty Highland Gin
25ml sweet vermouth
25ml orange juice
Orange flowers or a twist of orange, to garnish
Add the ingredients to a shaker with ice and stir well. Gently strain into a rocks or martini glass. Garnish, serve and enjoy!