Blood Oranges

Fruits and veggies can be slim pickings during the Winter, but not when it comes to blood oranges. Since the crimson color of the fruit's flesh makes it a perfect pairing for Valentine's Day, putting it in a celebratory cocktail makes total sense. It's full of nutritional goodness, too: blood oranges are a great source of vitamin C, and also contains a good amount of vitamin B1 and folic acid. If you're not a drinker, substitute the champagne for soda water in this recipe.

Check out this citrus twist on the champagne cocktail when you read more

Inspired by the idea of a vampire-themed party, I decided to make my own bloody yet delicious treat. With Halloween only a couple of weeks away, I pulled out the ice-cream maker and started on a blood orange and mint sorbet — a perfect treat for your fangtastic friends! Although the last time I made ice cream, I had a problem with curdling custard, making this sorbet was easier and much less risky.

I started with a mint-infused simple syrup. While that cooled, I pulled out my glass citrus press (just like my grandmother had!) and hand-juiced some blood oranges. Even with the manual juicing, the whole process is quite quick and in only a few hours, I had refreshing and flavorful sorbet. If you want to feed your vamp guests this sensational sorbet, keep reading.

If you've found this season's salads to be a bit lacking, take inspiration from this wintry mix that lauren recently prepared.I love trying out new salad combinations; this one is grapefruit, blood orange, avocado, arugula with a homemade basil dijon mustard vinaigrette.

Have a favorite version of greens? Share it with the rest of us by uploading it into the YumSugar Community's food photography group, Savory Sights.

After making a blood orange margarita, I had a couple of blood oranges lying around. Thus, I decided to juice them and use them in another cocktail — this time with gin as the base spirit. The resulting drink is packed with the refreshing flavor of oranges. Its gorgeous color makes it easy to sip and the addition of agave nectar provides a necessary, but not overpowering sweetness. If you're a fan of oranges, you'll enjoy this beverage. Don't like gin? Use vodka instead! Here's my recipe.

When I think of the Super Bowl, only one cocktail comes to mind: the margarita. While I've never met a margarita I didn't like, from beer to blackberry to jalapeño, my current obsession is with blood orange margaritas. Blood oranges are in season, and they give the drink a beautiful vibrant color and lovely tart flavor. I prefer my margaritas straight up or on the rocks, but if you enjoy them blended, feel free to toss the ingredients into a blender with ice. Pair with a plate of spicy chorizo nachos and let the weekend begin! Here's the recipe.

Guests attending a holiday cocktail party will expect cocktails, but to ensure that the hostess isn't tending bar all night, serve a pitcher drink or punch or set up a small bar and invite friends to pour their own beverage. Here's how you do it: Select an easy drink recipe, like this one for a bourbon and blood orange blast that's featured here. Write out the directions for the cocktail and set out an ice bucket, cocktail shaker, jigger, and the ingredients. Alternatively, place the blood orange juice alongside vodka, gin, and bourbon. Fill a small pitcher with simple syrup and one can make a blood orange martini or the blast. Remember to place plenty of napkins and fresh towels on the bar.

To get the proportions of the suggested libation, keep reading.

It's hard to believe, but thanks to a very Indian Summer, Left Coasters are lucky enough to still be enjoying some lingering warm October afternoons. I was a privileged partaker at a recent Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur party where guests basked in sun at a bocce ball court with bright, citrusy cocktails in hand.

My favorite refreshment? A Sicilian cooler, served straight from the skilled hand of San Francisco bartender Jackie Patterson. With a reverent nod to Italy, she played up the naturally floral, piquant, and slightly bitter flavors of blood oranges with Solerno, Campari, and lemon juice. For a sip that'll transport you to the streets of Palermo, read more.

For the past couple of days, the weather in San Francisco has been absolutely amazing, and although I'm dreaming of frothy tropical drinks and fruit-laden sangrias, I know it's only March. Before I go running to the store looking for berries and stone fruit, I have to use the citrus that's sitting on my counter!

I have two perfectly ripe blood oranges waiting to be juiced. That's why I thought I'd give this recipe from Food & Wine Cocktails 09 a try. It's an ode to oranges with orange vodka, fresh orange juice, and orange liqueur.

I recently got sent a bottle of Solerno, an Italian blood orange liqueur, so I used it rather than triple sec. The resulting cocktail has the brilliant color of Spring tulips with the fresh, sweet, tart flavor of blood oranges. It's smooth, delightful, maybe a little too easy to drink, and ideal for sipping on a sunny afternoon. For the uncomplicated recipe, read more

All Winter I've been dying to make a cocktail with blood oranges. Their vibrant flesh releases a brilliant colored juice that is tart and sunny. Yesterday when I realized that Spring is around the corner, I knew I had to make one as soon as possible! A traditional French 75 is a classic cocktail that's made with gin and Champagne. This variation, that serves a crowd, infuses the gin with muddled blood oranges. Although the mixture has to sit for several hours, it's worth the wait; this is one spirited beverage that's potent yet refreshing. To make the most of blood oranges while they are around, get the recipe.