Blood Orange Martini

The other day I went to the greatest grocery store around, Wegmans.  They opened one about 20 miles south of me in Woodbridge, VA.   If you have never been to one you have to go.  This is the only grocery store that I have ever been to that stocks black truffles.  Don’t believe me, check it out for yourself.

The store is the size of a Walmart but is only a grocery store. Along with the greatest selection of food that I have ever seen, the store is themed like a Las Vegas casino.  They have trains running over the dairy department and vines and trees sprouting out of the prepared foods department.  It is like Disneyland for a foodie.  So strolling through the fresh produce section I found a large bin of blood oranges.  I had to pick some up.  They looked perfectly ripe.

Thus, today’s cocktail is the blood orange martini.

Blood Orange Martini

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz contreau
• 1  oz simple syrup
• 4 oz freshly squeezed blood orange juice

Simple Syrup

A key ingredient to most cocktails is simple syrup. To make simple syrup place 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a heavy saucepan. Place over medium heat.

Cook until the syrup is hot and the sugar is completely dissolved.

Place the syrup into the fridge until it is needed. As long as it is in an airtight container and in the fridge it should be good for at least 2 weeks.

Blood Orange Martini

In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, contreau, juice, and simple syrup with ice; shake well. Strain into a martini glasses, and garnish with orange twist.

A little side note – Blood oranges are extremely messy.  They stain everything are extremely juicy.  They got all over my prized Miller Lite t-shirt and the wall.  So be careful when juicing this little buggers.

Drink and Enjoy!!!