Triple Citrus Gin Sour

How does the saying go? When life gives you lemons, make lemonade? Well, in this case it was blood oranges, and I’ll leave the lemonade to the lemonade stands because it’s the weekend after all—and weekends require a cocktail or two in my opinion.

If you’re after another blood orange drink, try my Blood Orange & Raspberry Sour, or keep an eye out for the mocktail version coming soon.

A few weeks ago I searched everywhere for blood oranges and came up empty-handed. I wasn’t prepared to abandon cocktail hour though, so I settled for regular oranges and ended up creating my Orange & Ginger Sour instead. Not a bad consolation prize, but I was still determined to get my hands on blood oranges.

There’s something special about cutting into a blood orange. You never quite know what you’re going to get, and those deep ruby colours make them just as enjoyable to cook and mix with as they are to eat. Their flavour is different too—bright, slightly floral and just tart enough to keep a cocktail fresh without going into the lip puckering sweetness that I personally do not enjoy.

Don’t let the colour fool you, though. This Triple Citrus Sour might look like it belongs on the sweeter side of the cocktail menu, but it most definitely doesn’t. The blood orange, mandarin and lemon keep it crisp and lively, while the honey syrup and silky foam soften the edges just enough to remind you that you’re drinking a proper grown-up cocktail, not a Jolly Rancher-flavoured Zima.

I’m probably showing my age now, because there was a time when I thought choosing a jolly I rancher flavour to liven up my beverage was the height of sophistication. Thankfully, my taste in cocktails has evolved a little since then.

So if blood oranges are in season and you’re looking for a bright, refreshing cocktail that’s a little different from the usual citrus sour, this Triple Citrus Sour is absolutely worth making.

Worth Making?

• Yes – if you love citrus cocktails that are bright and refreshing without being overly sweet.
• Yes – because using three different citrus fruits creates a depth of flavour you simply don’t get from one alone.
• Yes – if you’re looking for a gin cocktail that’s elegant enough for entertaining but easy enough for a Friday night at home.
• Skip it – if you prefer rich, spirit-forward cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Negroni.
• Skip it – if you don’t enjoy tart cocktails. This one is balanced, but it still has the crisp finish of a classic sour.

Make it your own way

• Swap the blood orange for Cara Cara oranges when blood oranges are out of season.
• Prefer a little more sweetness? Add an extra 5 ml of honey syrup to soften the citrus.
• Replace the gin with vodka for a cleaner citrus-forward cocktail or use reposado tequila for a richer twist.
• Skip the egg white if you prefer. You’ll lose the creamy foam, but the cocktail will still taste just as good.
• Garnish with a dehydrated citrus wheel, a fresh orange twist or a thin slice of mandarin depending on what you have on hand.