Orange Blossom Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Strong, tangy and with a little floral bite, the Orange Blossom cocktail just might be the perfect springtime tipple.

Whenever the combination of gin and sweet vermouth is brought up, my thirsty mind immediately thinks of the bitter and biting Negroni cocktail. With both gin and sweet vermouth stirred and served over ice with Campari, the Negroni has been an iconic and legendary drink the world over since the 1920s. But when you take the Campari away, and you’re left with only the gin and vermouth, what do you have then?

Tonight’s recipe is called the Orange Blossom, and is also an answer to the question posed above. A crisp and citrusy sweet swirl of gin, vermouth and orange juice, this cold and shaken libation is said to have been born during the Prohibition Era.

During the years when alcohol was illegal in the United States, many speakeasies sold rough-tasting “bathtub gin”. The other ingredients mixed with it were used to hide the less-than-savory flavor of the bootleg booze, like the orange juice present in today’s drink, for example. In 1935, the recipe made an appearance in The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book, written by Albert Stevens Crockett. While nobody knows for certain who came up with this sweet, citrusy tipple, Crockett theorizes that a bartender with romantic notions, or even a bridegroom at his bachelor party, is the culprit behind this concoction.

Whoever is responsible, the Orange Blossom certainly blooms with a satisfying flavor and kick.

What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In An Orange Blossom Cocktail?

For the gin, I’d suggest and recommend a crisp and balanced London Dry, like a Tanqueray or Beefeater, for the base of this cocktail. The herbaceous infusions will add a little extra flavor to the orange juice, and a Dolin or Antica Formula for the sweet vermouth is a must in any recipe that calls for it.

FAQs & Tips

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Before making and shaking your drink, chill a cocktail coupe in your freezer for around 15 to 30 minutes. This will give an extra cold and crisp drinking experience. Garnish with an orange wedge on the rim, and hold by the stem as you sip.

CAN YOU STORE THE ORANGE BLOSSOM COCKTAIL?

If you really don’t feel like making this recipe as you go, you can combine large amounts of the ingredients together without ice, and store covered in your fridge for up to a day or so. Shake individual servings over ice.

HOW MANY CALORIES ARE IN AN ORANGE BLOSSOM COCKTAIL?

This is a tipple that sits on the lighter side, with each glass coming in at about 109 calories.

WHAT IF YOU CAN’T OBTAIN FRESHLY SQUEEZED ORANGE JUICE?

There are plenty of great store-bought juices that are both fresh and healthy, if you don’t get the chance or time to squeeze your own. I usually go with a pulp-free variety, but since you’ll be straining this drink as it is served, whatever your favorite brand is will do nicely.

Similar Drinks To The Orange Blossom Cocktail

Gin and sweet vermouth have come together in a number of cocktails over the years, and quite successfully too. If the Orange Blossom hits your taste buds in just the right way, you might want to try other drinks that also feature these spirits. If you’re unsure where to start exploring, allow Twist & Toast to guide you. Check out some of these cocktails below.

• Gin Sling – This classic is guaranteed to wet your whistle when it’s hot outside.
• Martinez – One of the first cocktails, and an icon of the drink world.
• Negroni Sbagliato – Some versions of this bittersweet beauty feature gin.
• Clover Club – Try this sweet and pink tipple with a little sweet vermouth.