The classic Blood and Sand, which combines blended scotch and orange juice, was named for a 1922 bullfighting film starring Rudolph Valentino.
4 Foolproof Whisky and Orange Juice Cocktails
July 12, 2021 –––––– Zak Kostro
Freshly squeezed orange juice offers a rounded sweetness and soft acidity that pair brilliantly with almost any style of whisky in cocktails beyond the classic scotch-based Blood and Sand, says Chelsea Gregoire, founder and owner of restaurant consulting company Drinkable Genius. Orange juice “tends to add a little bit more sugar than other citrus fruits like lemon and lime,” Gregoire says. “That little element of sweetness plays really well with the tannins in whisky, and can be used to complement or accent flavors of malt, baking spices, and red fruits.”It's essential to use freshly squeezed juice, says TJ Vytlacil of Brigade Society and former owner of the St. Louis, Missouri restaurants Blood & Sand and the since closed Death in the Afternoon. Precise measurement is also crucial, since too much juice can eclipse the whisky. And be sure to shake vigorously to integrate flavors and textures. “Some whiskies have more caramel, some have more vanilla, but in general, orange juice complements and highlights all of those flavors,” Vytlacil says.A small amount of OJ is enough to temper high-proof bourbon, spicy rye, or even peated scotch, he adds. “As long as the proof of the whisky is around 100, it's going to hold up really well.”
