Get a delicious Vitamin C boost with this gorgeous and refreshing twist on a classic lemon drop featuring my favorite Winter citrus fruits: Meyer Lemons and Blood Oranges! Though the name may sound rather gruesome for such a beautiful fruit, blood oranges are simply a mutated orange rich in healthy antioxidants and anthocyanins, the same thing that gives blueberries that deep color, hence their deep ruby colored flesh. Their flavor is very complex, sweeter, and slightly less tart than regular oranges, with a pleasant bitter edge and subtle notes of berry. Meyer lemons are a gorgeous hybrid crossed with what’s thought to be mandarin oranges. I grew up with these in northern California, and have long been a fan of their gorgeous color, deeply fragrant scent, and sweeter flavor. As if these two power citrus players weren’t enough to make this cocktail a standout, I add a splash of elderflower liqueur which adds a beautiful floral note that lifts and balances the tart citrus juice. (Though you could certainly substitute an orange liqueur for the elderflower if needed.) The citrus flavor is layered throughout the drink from top to bottom thanks also to the citrus vodka, fresh squeezed citrus and fresh orange and lemon zest used to flavor the sugar that is added in the drink and on the rim. I’ll take my Vitamin C in this Citrus Martini form any day!
For another delicious Vitamin C boost in edible form check out my recipe for this moist and citrusy GF and non-dairy Winter Citrus Upside Down Cake also featuring these beautiful Blood Oranges and Meyer Lemons!
Makes: 1 Martini
Active Time: Approximately 15 minutes
Inactive Time: Approximately half hour if using simple syrup to allow it to cool. You can also speed up the cooling by pouring it over ice in a sieve into a glass.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 small blood orange juiced, zest reserved (1 ounce)
- 1/2 small fresh Meyer lemon juiced, zest reserved (1 ounce)
- 3 ounces citrus vodka
- 1 ounce elderflower liqueur
- 2 tablespoons citrus sugar or citrus simple syrup, (see recipe below) plus more for rimming
- Slices of blood orange and Meyer lemon for garnish
For Citrus Sugar:
- 1 Blood orange zested
- 1 Meyer lemon zested
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Directions:
- Add sugar and citrus zest to a food processor and mix on high for 15-20 seconds until the zest has been fully incorporated into the sugar. Pour half of the mixture into a plate for rimming glasses and reserve the rest to use in the drink mixture, or to make a simple syrup if preferred.
- To make citrus simple syrup to use in place of the citrus sugar in the cocktail, bring 1/4 cup of the citrus sugar and 1/4 cup water to a boil, stir until sugar is dissolved a d remove from heat. Let cool then add to cocktail in place of the fresh citrus sugar.
Directions:
Add half of the citrus sugar to a plate. Rub the edge of a martini glass with a wedge of lemon and dip in citrus sugar mixture.
Add citrus sugar or citrus simple syrup to the citrus juice and stir well to combine. Add ice to a cocktail shaker, then add the citrus juice and sugar mixture, vodka, and elderflower liqueur. Shake well until shaker is thoroughly chilled, then pour mixture into rimmed glass.
Garnish with orange and lemon slices and serve!
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