Bourbon and Blood Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/29/21
Gian Saetti's Bourbon and Blood Cocktail

Tastyart Ltd Rob White / Getty Images

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Are you ready for a fresh, new twist on the classic Manhattan? It is the perfect cocktail for inspiration and the Bourbon and Blood is yet another perfect example of where we can take the simplest of drinks.

This recipe, printed with permission, was created by Gian Saetti, a bartender at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua's Alaloa Lounge in Maui. It is an elegant cocktail and one worthy of special note. In reality, as Saetti pointed out, his Bourbon and Blood is more like the classic Boulevardier than the Manhattan.

A Bourbon and Blood retains that apéritif profile found in the Boulevardier, though it switches from bitter to sweet orange liqueurs. This blood orange base works wonders with bourbon whiskey and sweet vermouth and the orange bitters are a perfect accent to the entire mix.

The surprise ingredient here is fresh tarragon. The herb really sets the drink apart from similar whiskey Manhattans and complements the orange undertones with perfection.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce bourbon whiskey

  • 1 ounce blood orange liqueur

  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth

  • 1 to 2 dashes orange bitters

  • 6 small leaves fresh tarragon

  • Orange peel, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.

  3. Shake briskly 15 times.

  4. Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

  5. Squeeze the oils of an orange peel over the drink, then lightly place it into the cocktail as a garnish. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Saetti is very specific in the brands used in his recipe—it wouldn't be a bad idea to follow his recommendations exactly. Carpano Antica is one of the best bottles of "red" vermouth (more commonly called sweet vermouth) you will find. Also, there is not a good, premium-quality alternative yet when it comes to blood orange liqueur, so opt for Solerno. None of the other orange liqueur options on the market will produce the same effect. While this produced a perfectly balanced cocktail, there is always room for experimentation.
  • If you like, you can muddle the tarragon before adding the other ingredients, but it's not necessary in this case because the shake adds just enough tarragon to the mix to make it noticeable without being overpowering.

How Strong Is a Bourbon and Blood?

Assuming that the drink is mixed with the suggested brands, this cocktail is approximately 27.7 percent ABV (55.4 proof). That makes for a strong drink, so you would be wise to limit these to only one or two in an evening.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
211 Calories
0g Fat
13g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 211
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 4mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 9mg 44%
Calcium 25mg 2%
Iron 0mg 3%
Potassium 74mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)