The blood oranges have finally arrived in my local grocery stores, so that means it’s time to enjoy amazing citrus cocktails. This blood orange gin fizz is a favorite of mine, as it’s sweet, tart, vibrant, and a perfect sip! While it’s a lovely winter cocktail, the color makes it perfect for Valentine’s Day as well.
What is a Blood Orange Gin Fizz?
A classic gin fizz features gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. In this blood orange gin cocktail, I’m swapping up the classic recipe to feature this vibrant orange citrus instead!
Blood orange juice replaces the lemon, and orange sparkling water replaces the soda water. I’m also adding Campari, which is an Italian liquor akin to bitters, which enhances the orange flavor and adds the missing tart element from the lemon.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What you’ll get in this blood orange gin fizz recipe is a sweet, tart, fizzy cocktail that takes just 4 ingredients and a few minutes to throw together. There’s no fancy equipment needed (not even a cocktail shaker), which makes it simple to enjoy, and perfect for easy entertaining.
It’s one of my favorite winter cocktails to enjoy, since blood oranges are seasonal and usually only available during the winter months. Of course, you can also make it with regular oranges in other seasons if preferred!
The blood orange juice color is a vibrant reddish pink that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day or date night as well, so the winter availability suits it just fine!
Katie’s Tip
If you end up with a big bag of blood oranges, make sure to check out my Blood Orange Paloma, Blood Orange French 75, Blood Orange Mimosa, or Blood Orange Vodka Cocktail for some other great cocktail inspiration to try them in!
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Blood Orange Gin Fizz Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz gin
- 2 oz fresh blood orange juice
- ½ oz Campari
- 4 oz blood orange sparkling water (adjust based on glass size)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Any type of gin is fine (use your favorite gin)! Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray are some classic options. For extra flavor, use Beefeater Blood Orange Gin if you can find it
- If you are making this out of season or cannot find blood oranges to juice, you can use Torani blood orange syrup or a cocktail mix like Stirrings or Master of Mixes blood orange margarita mix to replace it
- The Campari can be swapped for an equal amount of Aperol or lemon juice, or just use a few dashes of orange bitters instead
- I use Spindrift blood orange tangerine sparkling water, but you can use any orange-flavored brand you like. Polar’s blood orange lemonade sparkling water or Fever Tree’s blood orange ginger beer are also great choices! You can also use Sprite, which adds both sweetness and a citrus twist, or club soda or tonic water for a less-sweet option!
- For extra sweetness, feel free to add some simple syrup (about ½ ounce) to your drink. I don’t think it needs it, but if you like a very sweet cocktail, you may want to add some
How to Make a Blood Orange Gin Fizz
- To a cocktail glass, add the gin, blood orange juice, and Campari, and stir the mixture to combine
- Fill the glass with ice, then pour the sparkling water over to fill the glass up
- Garnish with a slice of blood orange if desired, and enjoy!
Blood Orange Cocktail Pairing Suggestions
Appetizers
- Citrus-marinated shrimp skewers
- Bruschetta with tomato, basil, and balsamic glaze
- Caprese salad on skewers
Try my easy Air Fryer Bruschetta!
Entrées
- Grilled chicken or fish with lemon butter sauce
- Pasta dishes with creamy garlic or lemon-based sauces
- Citrus-glazed salmon or chicken
My Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi, Honey Garlic Salmon in the Air Fryer, or Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Breasts are great choices!
Snacks
- Garlic hummus with pita chips
- Spiced nuts or roasted chickpeas
- Fresh fruit platter with citrus fruits and berries
These Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas are a perfect pairing option!
Desserts
- Lemon or orange sorbet
- Vanilla or citrus-flavored cupcakes
- Lemon bars or citrus-infused cheesecake
My Raspberry Lemonade Bars or Raspberry Orange Scones are great choices!
Recipe FAQs
What Makes a Blood Orange Gin Fizz Unique?
The unique character of a blood orange gin fizz lies in the vibrant hue and the delightful blend of flavors from fresh blood oranges and gin, mixed with fizziness from sparkling water.
This gives the cocktail its signature refreshing and citrusy profile.
Can I Substitute Blood Oranges with Regular Oranges?
While regular oranges can be used, the distinct taste and color of blood oranges impart a unique character to the drink.
Their tanginess and slightly sweeter notes contribute to a different taste overall than you can achieve with regular oranges.
Can I Make a Mocktail Version?
Yes, a non-alcoholic mocktail version can be made by replacing the gin with a non-alcoholic gin substitute or by omitting it entirely. Use lemon juice in place of the Campari.
The rest of the drink, including blood orange juice and sparkling water, remains the same.
Tips For the Best Blood Orange Gin Fizz
- Glassware. I use an 11-ounce old fashioned rocks glass for this recipe. You can also use a Collins or highball style glass, a stemless wine glass, or a coupe-style glass!
- To prevent dilution (if you have a shaker) you can shake everything except the sparkling water with ice, then strain into a chilled glass (pop it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes) and top with chilled sparkling water
- For more tartness, add extra Campari or some lemon or lime juice to the drink. For additional sweetness, add more blood orange juice or some simple syrup. You may need to adjust a little based on the sweetness of your individual oranges as well (in combination with personal preferences)
Storage and Presentation
- This recipe scales well for a pitcher. Feel free to combine the juice and liquors up to 24 hours in advance, storing in a sealed container (like a pitcher) in the refrigerator. Pour into individual glasses, topping with ice and sparkling water just before serving for maximum freshness
- Garnishes are optional for this recipe, but good options are a blood orange slice, orange peel twist, or sprig of rosemary or fresh mint. For an extra special touch, try a candied orange, or add a pasteurized egg white foam topper!
- Orange Sherbet Smoothie
Final Thoughts
This blood orange gin fizz is such a delightful winter cocktail, but the red and pink hues make it perfect as a Valentine’s cocktail as well. That works out perfectly, since blood oranges are usually only available in the wintertime.
Sweet citrus blends with gin and Campari for a twist on the classic mixed drink. With just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes or less to throw together, it’s something you’ll want to enjoy all throughout the season!
A blood orange gin cocktail is the perfect mix of tart, sweet, and fizzy. Plus, it pairs well with a variety of other citrus based foods so you can enjoy a variety of snacks, entrees, or desserts that compliment it perfectly.
For more great cocktail recipes, check out all of my Blood Orange Cocktails to see what other delicious drinks you can make while blood oranges are in season!
Blood Orange Gin Fizz Cocktail (With Campari)
Equipment
- Rocks glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces gin
- 2 ounces fresh blood orange juice
- ½ ounce Campari
- 4 ounces blood orange sparkling water (adjust based on size of glass)
Instructions
- To a cocktail glass, add the gin, blood orange juice, and Campari, and stir to combine1 ½ ounces gin, 2 ounces fresh blood orange juice, ½ ounce Campari
- Fill the glass with ice, then pour the sparkling water over to fill the glass up4 ounces blood orange sparkling water
- Garnish with a slice of blood orange if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- Any brand of gin is fine – use your favorite. For extra flavor, use Beefeater Blood Orange Gin if you can find it!
- If you are making this out of season or cannot find fresh blood oranges to juice, you can use a blood orange syrup or a blood orange cocktail mix to replace it
- The Campari can be swapped for an equal amount of Aperol or lemon juice, or just use a few dashes of orange bitters instead
- I use Spindrift blood orange tangerine sparkling water, but you can use any orange-flavored brand you like. Polar’s blood orange lemonade sparkling water or Fever Tree’s blood orange ginger beer are also great choices! You can also use Sprite, which adds both sweetness and a citrus twist!
- For extra sweetness, add some simple syrup (about ½ ounce) to your drink. I don’t think it needs it, but if you like very sweet cocktails, you may want to add some
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any swaps or additions, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
