I’m always on the lookout for a really great martini that I can sip leisurely while actually enjoying the taste. Outside of the too sweet fru fru martinis (sour apple) that martini snobs would turn their noses at, or the straight up vodka martinis with a splash of vermouth that I can barely get down, it’s hard to find something that is right down the middle. I think I have finally created that drink. The Blood Orange Martini.

Mis en Place:

Currently towards the end of the season – although it stretches a couple months longer in California – this crimson red orange variety sports a tart, sweet taste. It resembles that of a grapefruit, and at first glance can be a bit confusing. My daughter would not touch it because of the name, and she’s so picky, she probably wouldn’t have touched it anyways. “Shouldn’t an orange be orange?”

Of course the flavor of the juice and the color of the pulp depends on the variety of oranges you have available. This drink is very easy to sip, yet it does not go down too fast. Enjoy with a light dinner or tapas.

Kitchen Tips:

• You can make your simple syrup sweet by using equal parts sugar and water. For a less sweet version, use one part sugar to two parts water.
• You can shake with ice and strain, or use chilled vodka.
• For a stronger drink, increase the vodka to 1.5 ounces (one full shot glass).