Blood orange season brings exciting ways to make winter drinks more fun. The deep red juice of these citrus fruits adds natural color and a sweet-tart taste to any beverage.
This alcohol-free mocktail combines fresh blood orange juice with sweet elderflower syrup for a bright and refreshing drink that takes just 5 minutes to make. The pretty pink color makes it perfect for parties, brunches, or any special occasion.
The recipe needs only four simple ingredients and a few ice cubes. No fancy tools or bartending skills needed – just mix, pour, and enjoy.
Blood Orange Elderflower Delight Mocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Large cocktail shaker
- Citrus juicer
- Jigger or measuring cup
- Tall glasses
- Ice cube tray
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Bar spoon
- Cutting Board
- Sharp knife
Ingredients
- 3 oz fresh blood orange juice about 2 medium blood oranges
- 1 oz elderflower syrup
- 2 oz sparkling water
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Blood orange wheel for garnish
- Fresh mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Juice the blood oranges using a citrus juicer and strain out pulp.
- Fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes.
- Add blood orange juice, elderflower syrup, and lemon juice to the shaker.
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.
- Fill a tall glass with fresh ice cubes.
- Strain the mixture into the glass.
- Top with sparkling water and stir gently with a bar spoon.
- Garnish with a blood orange wheel and mint sprig.
Notes
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Tasting Notes
The Blood Orange Elderflower Delight combines sweet and tart flavors in perfect balance. Blood orange juice adds a bright citrus taste with hints of raspberry and berry notes. The elderflower syrup brings a light floral sweetness that’s not too strong.
This mocktail has a smooth, refreshing texture with tiny bubbles from the sparkling water. The drink starts sweet on the tip of the tongue and ends with a gentle citrus tang. Fresh mint leaves add a cool, crisp finish.
The color is a beautiful coral-pink that gets lighter when mixed with sparkling water. Ice helps keep the drink cold while diluting the strong citrus taste just enough.
Key Flavor Notes:
- Sweet elderflower
- Tart blood orange
- Fresh mint
- Light bubbles
Texture Profile:
- Smooth
- Fizzy
- Light
- Refreshing
The drink tastes best when served very cold. As the ice melts, the flavors stay balanced without becoming watery. The aroma combines fresh citrus and sweet floral scents that make each sip more enjoyable.
Substitute
Blood orange provides a unique sweet and tart flavor to this mocktail. Other citrus fruits can work well in its place.
Regular oranges make an excellent swap. They add sweetness without the deep red color of blood oranges.
Pink grapefruit brings a tangy kick and keeps a rosy hue in the drink. Mix in a touch more simple syrup to balance the tartness.
Can’t find elderflower syrup? Try these options:
- Lavender syrup
- Rose syrup
- Plain simple syrup with a splash of lemon juice
- Honey mixed with warm water (2:1 ratio)
Pro tip: Fresh citrus juice works best, but bottled juice can work in a pinch. Just avoid any juice with added sugars or preservatives.
The garnish can change too. Replace blood orange slices with:
- Orange wheels
- Lemon twists
- Fresh mint sprigs
- Edible flowers
Remember to adjust sugar levels when switching ingredients. Start with less sweetener and add more to taste.
