I just hung a 0.7mm heavy aluminium sign with rounded corners and punched holes in my bar area and now it reads like a Blood Orange Cocktail statement piece that gets people curious.

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I’m obsessed with the Blood & Sand Cocktail sign because it screams my kind of mess and makes the bar feel alive. I love how Blood And Sand Cocktail sounds, dangerous but classy.

I adore that rusty, heavy aluminium look; it matches my glass filled with blended Scotch whisky and a hit of fresh orange juice. Boozy Drinks that taste like stories, not just sugar.

But mostly I love the vibe: a little bloody, a little slick, and shameless. Makes me want to drink slow and judge nothing.

Ugly, elegant, loud. Perfect is boring.

This sign? Not.

I need it.

Ingredients

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Smoky warmth, a grown-up backbone.
Basically it keeps the drink from tasting sweet.
Herby, rich red wine notes.
Plus it adds depth and smoothness you’ll sip slowly.
Sweet cherry punch, bold and fruity.
Basically it makes the cocktail feel mischievous.
Bright citrus zip, freshens and cuts sweetness.
Plus it wakes up the whole glass.
Chill and dilute at the right pace.
Basically they tame strength, keep things balanced.
Zesty oils or nostalgic cherry pop.
Plus little garnish flair you’ll actually notice.

Ingredient Quantities

3/4 oz (22 ml) blended Scotch whisky

3/4 oz (22 ml) sweet vermouth (rosso)

3/4 oz (22 ml) Cherry Heering or other cherry liqueur

3/4 oz (22 ml) fresh orange juice

ice cubes

orange twist for garnish (or a maraschino cherry if you prefer)

How to Make this

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1. Chill a coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer for a few minutes so the drink stays cold longer.

2. Add 3/4 oz (22 ml) blended Scotch whisky, 3/4 oz (22 ml) sweet vermouth, 3/4 oz (22 ml) Cherry Heering or another cherry liqueur, and 3/4 oz (22 ml) fresh orange juice into a cocktail shaker.

3. Fill the shaker with plenty of ice cubes, about 2/3 full, so it chills quickly and dilutes just enough.

4. Shake hard for about 10 to 15 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels very cold. You want it well chilled and slightly diluted.

5. If you prefer a clearer drink, double strain through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch pulp and tiny ice chips.

6. Pour into the chilled coupe or a rocks glass over fresh ice if you want it a bit longer lasting.

7. Express an orange twist over the drink by holding the peel a few inches above the surface and giving it a quick squeeze to release the oils, then drop it in. Or use a maraschino cherry if thats your thing.

8. Give it a quick smell before sipping, the orange oil and cherry notes should pop over the smoky Scotch. Sip slowly, enjoy how the sweet and smoky balance each other.

9. Tip: use freshly squeezed orange juice for brightness, and if your vermouth has been open a long time, keep it in the fridge for better flavor.

10. Hack: if you like a silkier texture, add a small piece of ice to the glass and stir the strained cocktail briefly to marry the flavors before serving.

Equipment Needed

1. Coupe or rocks glass (chilled in freezer a few minutes)
2. Cocktail shaker (Boston or cobbler style)
3. Jigger or measuring spoons (22 ml / 3/4 oz)
4. Ice scoop or tongs and plenty of ice cubes
5. Hawthorne strainer
6. Fine mesh strainer for double straining
7. Bar spoon (for that final brief stir if you want it silkier)
8. Vegetable peeler or small knife and cutting board for an orange twist

FAQ

What glass should I use for a Blood & Sand, and how should it be served?

Serve it in a chilled coupe or martini glass. Strain the cocktail into the glass without ice so it stays silky and cold, and add an orange twist or a maraschino cherry for garnish.

Should I shake or stir this drink?

Shake it. Because the recipe uses fresh orange juice you want to shake vigorously with ice to chill and aerate, then double-strain into the glass for a smooth texture.

Can I substitute the Cherry Heering?

Yes. If you don't have Cherry Heering, use another cherry liqueur or a high quality crème de noyaux. Avoid using syrupy cocktail cherries only, theyll make it too sweet.

How fresh does the orange juice need to be?

Freshly squeezed is best. It gives bright acidity that balances the sweet vermouth and cherry liqueur. If you must use store-bought, pick a premium not-from-concentrate juice and taste first.

Can I batch this for a party?

You can, but hold back the ice and fresh orange juice until serving. Pre-mix the spirits and vermouth in the right ratio and chill. Add fresh juice and shake with ice in individual portions so each drink stays fresh.

How strong is the cocktail and can I make it lighter?

It’s moderate to strong since all four core ingredients are 3/4 oz each. To make it lighter, reduce the whisky to 1/2 oz or increase orange juice to 1 oz, but keep the balance so it still tastes like a Blood & Sand.

Blood & Sand Cocktail Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Scotch whisky: swap for bourbon or rye if you want sweeter or spicier notes, or try a smoky peaty single malt for a more savory, campfire vibe — (bourbon gives round caramel, rye gives peppery kick).
Sweet vermouth (rosso): substitute Punt e Mes or a good amaro like Montenegro for a more bitter edge, or use a richer red vermouth if you cant find the original.
Cherry Heering: use cherry brandy, Luxardo maraschino, or even a tart cherry liqueur; if nothing else, muddled cherries with a splash of simple syrup will work in a pinch.
Fresh orange juice: switch to blood orange or freshly squeezed tangerine for a more floral, complex citrus, or use a splash of orange curaçao plus a little water if you need a liquor-only swap.

Pro Tips

1. Chill the glass well, seriously, a cold glass keeps the drink bright longer so it wont go flat while you stare at it trying to be fancy.

2. Shake hard for about 10 to 15 seconds, but dont just flail around; feel the shaker get bone cold, that tells you youve diluted enough. If you like it silkier, toss one big ice cube into the glass and stir the strained cocktail briefly, it calms the edges.

3. Double strain if you dont like pulp or tiny ice bits, use a Hawthorne then a fine mesh. Also, if you want the drink clearer and slightly smoother, give the shaker a quick gentle swirl before pouring to let the biggest chips settle.

4. Keep your vermouth and cherry liqueur in the fridge once opened, they go off faster than you think. Fresh squeezed orange juice makes the whole thing pop, dont use the bottled stuff unless you really must.

Blood & Sand Cocktail Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I just hung a 0.7mm heavy aluminium sign with rounded corners and punched holes in my bar area and now it reads like a Blood Orange Cocktail statement piece that gets people curious.

Servings

servings

Calories

170

kcal

Equipment: 1. Coupe or rocks glass (chilled in freezer a few minutes)
2. Cocktail shaker (Boston or cobbler style)
3. Jigger or measuring spoons (22 ml / 3/4 oz)
4. Ice scoop or tongs and plenty of ice cubes
5. Hawthorne strainer
6. Fine mesh strainer for double straining
7. Bar spoon (for that final brief stir if you want it silkier)
8. Vegetable peeler or small knife and cutting board for an orange twist

Ingredients

3/4 oz (22 ml) blended Scotch whisky
3/4 oz (22 ml) sweet vermouth (rosso)
3/4 oz (22 ml) Cherry Heering or other cherry liqueur
3/4 oz (22 ml) fresh orange juice
ice cubes
orange twist for garnish (or a maraschino cherry if you prefer)

Directions

Chill a coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer for a few minutes so the drink stays cold longer.
Add 3/4 oz (22 ml) blended Scotch whisky, 3/4 oz (22 ml) sweet vermouth, 3/4 oz (22 ml) Cherry Heering or another cherry liqueur, and 3/4 oz (22 ml) fresh orange juice into a cocktail shaker.
Fill the shaker with plenty of ice cubes, about 2/3 full, so it chills quickly and dilutes just enough.
Shake hard for about 10 to 15 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels very cold. You want it well chilled and slightly diluted.
If you prefer a clearer drink, double strain through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch pulp and tiny ice chips.
Pour into the chilled coupe or a rocks glass over fresh ice if you want it a bit longer lasting.
Express an orange twist over the drink by holding the peel a few inches above the surface and giving it a quick squeeze to release the oils, then drop it in. Or use a maraschino cherry if thats your thing.
Give it a quick smell before sipping, the orange oil and cherry notes should pop over the smoky Scotch. Sip slowly, enjoy how the sweet and smoky balance each other.
Tip: use freshly squeezed orange juice for brightness, and if your vermouth has been open a long time, keep it in the fridge for better flavor.
Hack: if you like a silkier texture, add a small piece of ice to the glass and stir the strained cocktail briefly to marry the flavors before serving.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.