If you’re looking to shake up your cocktail routine with something bright and a little bit unexpected, I got just the thing for you: this Blood Orange Martini recipe. It’s got this beautiful balance of tangy and sweet, with a gorgeous ruby-red color that just makes you want to sip more. I love whipping this up when friends come over or on a relaxing weekend evening because it’s equally fancy and approachable.

What really makes this Blood Orange Martini recipe worth trying is how the fresh blood orange juice shines through, giving the drink a unique fruity depth that standard citrus just can’t match. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make with a few fresh ingredients you might already have. Trust me, once you nail this, it’ll become your go-to for impressing guests or treating yourself.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this Blood Orange Martini work beautifully together to create a perfectly balanced cocktail. Freshness is key here—especially for the blood orange juice and lime juice—to make the flavors pop. When you shop for these, try to pick ripe blood oranges—they tend to be juicier and sweeter.

Ice: Use fresh, clean ice because it dilutes your cocktail less as it melts.
Fresh blood orange juice: Always squeeze fresh if you can—it makes a huge flavor difference!
Vodka: A good quality vodka gives the martini a smooth finish without overpowering the citrus.
Triple sec: Adds a subtle orange sweetness; Cointreau is a favorite of mine.
Lime juice: Fresh squeezed here adds that crisp acidic balance you want.
Simple syrup (optional): Use this to adjust sweetness to your liking, especially if your blood oranges are on the tart side.
Blood orange slices (optional garnish): These make for a pretty presentation and boost that citrus aroma.

Variations

One of the best parts about the Blood Orange Martini recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I’ve played around with a few tweaks depending on my mood or the season, and it’s always a hit. Feel free to experiment—you’ll find your own favorite version in no time.

Make it sweeter: Adding a little more simple syrup helped me tone down the tartness when blood oranges were extra tangy.
Go boozy: Swap vodka for gin for a botanical twist that’s fantastic if you love herbal notes.
Herbal infusions: I once muddled a sprig of rosemary before shaking, and it gave a lovely earthy dimension to the martini.
Mocktail version: Replace vodka and triple sec with sparkling water and a splash of orange juice for a refreshing non-alcoholic option.

How to Make Blood Orange Martini Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Glass

Before you start shaking, squeeze your fresh blood orange and lime juice. I find a manual citrus squeezer works best to get every drop without bitterness from the pith. Chill your martini glass by filling it with ice and water – this keeps your cocktail colder for longer once served. You’ll want everything set to go before assembling, so the process feels smooth and fun.

Step 2: Shake It Good

Grab a cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice—don’t skimp here, as the ice helps cool and dilute your drink to perfection. Add 3 tablespoons of fresh blood orange juice, 2 ounces of vodka, ½ ounce each of triple sec and lime juice, and if you like a little sweetness, a teaspoon or two of simple syrup. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds—this chilling and mixing step is crucial, so give it some good muscle!

Step 3: Strain and Serve

Dump the ice and water from your glass and strain the cocktail into it, using either a fine mesh strainer or the shaker’s built-in one to keep out any pulp or ice shards. Look for that beautiful deep red hue—it’s pretty enough to double as décor! If you want, garnish with a thin slice of blood orange on the rim. And voilà, you’re ready to impress.

How to Serve Blood Orange Martini Recipe

Blood Orange Martini Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I swear by a thin slice of blood orange for garnishing—it smells amazing and keeps the theme going. Sometimes I’ll add a twist of lime peel for a little brightness. If you want to get fancy, a sugared rim with superfine sugar adds sparkle and a touch of sweetness right at first sip.

Side Dishes

This Blood Orange Martini pairs wonderfully with citrus-forward appetizers or light bites. I often serve it alongside spicy shrimp skewers or a fresh goat cheese and beet salad to complement the cocktail’s tang. If you want something simple, classic olives or a small nut mix work just as well to keep things casual.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’m hosting birthdays or special get-togethers, I like to chill the entire martini glass in the freezer and rim it with a mixture of sugar and crushed pink peppercorns. It adds a pop of color and a subtle spice that catches people’s attention. Another fun idea is serving the cocktail in vintage coupe glasses to elevate the experience and make it feel extra celebratory.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover Blood Orange Martini mix (before shaking), store it in an airtight container or bottle in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just give it a good shake or stir before serving because the ingredients can separate. I find it’s best to avoid letting it sit too long to keep that fresh citrus brightness intact.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing this Blood Orange Martini recipe because the fresh citrus and alcohol don’t always freeze well together. Freezing can dull the flavors and change the texture of the drink. So I recommend making it fresh when you’re ready to enjoy it for the best taste.

Reheating

This is a cocktail best enjoyed cold, so there’s no reheating involved. If you’ve pre-mixed the ingredients and refrigerated it, just shake again with fresh ice right before serving to revive that crisp chill and great flavor.

FAQs

Can I use regular orange juice instead of blood orange juice in this Blood Orange Martini recipe?

You can substitute regular orange juice if you don’t have blood oranges, but keep in mind the flavor will be less complex and vibrant. Blood oranges have a distinct berry-like tartness and a striking red color, which gives this martini its signature character. If you do substitute, try adding a splash of pomegranate juice for a bit of color and depth.
Is this Blood Orange Martini recipe very strong?

It has a nice kick but isn’t overpowering since the citrus juices and triple sec balance the vodka well. If you prefer a lighter drink, use a little less vodka or add extra citrus juice or simple syrup to mellow it out. It’s easy to tweak to your vibe!
How do I make simple syrup for this cocktail?

Simple syrup is just equal parts sugar and water heated until the sugar dissolves, then cooled. I keep some homemade simple syrup in my fridge all the time because it’s so handy not just for cocktails but also iced teas and lemonades.
Can I prepare this cocktail without a shaker?

Absolutely! You can use a jar with a tight-fitting lid or even a blender bottle. Just make sure you shake it well with plenty of ice to chill and mix everything. If you can’t shake, stirring with ice in a glass will work but won’t be quite as frothy or well-chilled.
What vodka do you recommend for the Blood Orange Martini recipe?

I like using a clean, smooth vodka like Tito’s or Grey Goose because they don’t overpower the citrus flavors. But if you want to experiment, a citrus-infused vodka can add a nice extra layer of flavor!

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Blood Orange Martini recipe has become one of my favorite ways to bring a little fancy into an ordinary day. It’s refreshing, colorful, and really easy to make once you have the hang of it. I hope you give it a try and find it as delightful as I do—because nothing beats sipping a cocktail that tastes like a burst of sunshine and a touch of elegance. Cheers to your next great drink!

Blood Orange Martini Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 131 reviews

A Blood Orange Martini is a vibrant and refreshing cocktail combining the sweet-tart flavor of fresh blood orange juice with smooth vodka, a hint of citrus from triple sec and lime juice, all shaken together and served chilled. This elegant drink is perfect for a stylish evening or special occasions.

Author: Emma
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Category: Cocktail
Method: Shaking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Blood Orange Martini Ingredients

Ice (as needed for shaking and serving)
3 tbsp fresh blood orange juice
2 oz (4 tbsp) vodka
1/2 oz (1 tbsp) triple sec
1/2 oz (1 tbsp) lime juice
Optional: 2 tsp simple syrup
Optional: slices of blood orange for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the ingredients: Gather fresh blood orange juice, vodka, triple sec, lime juice, and ice. If you like a sweeter drink, have simple syrup ready as well. Slice a blood orange for garnish if desired.
Fill the shaker with ice: Add a generous amount of ice to a cocktail shaker to quickly chill the ingredients when shaken.
Add liquids to the shaker: Pour in 3 tablespoons of fresh blood orange juice, 2 ounces of vodka, 1/2 ounce triple sec, 1/2 ounce lime juice, and 2 teaspoons of simple syrup if you prefer extra sweetness.
Shake thoroughly: Secure the shaker lid and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until the mixture is well chilled and combined.
Strain and serve: Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass to avoid ice shards. This ensures a smooth drinking experience.
Garnish and enjoy: Garnish the cocktail with a slice of blood orange on the rim or dropped into the glass. Serve immediately and enjoy your vibrant Blood Orange Martini.

Notes

Use fresh blood orange juice for the best flavor and vibrant color.
Adjust the amount of simple syrup depending on your sweetness preference.
Chilling the glass beforehand helps keep the cocktail cooler longer.
The triple sec adds a subtle orange flavor and balances the tartness of the blood orange and lime.
You can replace vodka with gin for a different twist on the martini.

Keywords: Blood Orange Martini, cocktail, vodka cocktail, citrus cocktail, shaken martini