Orange Blossom recipe
A Prohibition-era staple pairing botanical gin with vibrant orange juice.
Method: Shake and strain ·
Glass: Rocks glass ·
Time: 5 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Daiquiri Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz London Dry Gin (Juniper-forward botanical profile)
- 1 oz Fresh Orange Juice (Freshly squeezed and strained)
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup (1:1 ratio, optional depending on orange sweetness)
- 0.25 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (Adds necessary acidity to balance the sweetness)
How to make a Orange Blossom
- Chill a coupe glass in the freezer.
- Combine the gin, fresh orange juice, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 12 to 15 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Double strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the prepared chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a thin dehydrated orange wheel or expressed orange peel.
Garnish
a thin dehydrated orange wheel or expressed orange peel
Pro tip
Measure carefully, keep the dilution controlled, and serve Orange Blossom as soon as it is cold and balanced.
History of the Orange Blossom
While early recipes resembling equal parts gin and orange juice appeared in Jacques Straub's 1914 manual Drinks, the drink exploded in popularity during Prohibition in the 1920s and 1930s at American hotel bars and speakeasies. Its invention is frequently attributed to patrons seeking to disguise inferior or hastily distilled spirits, though its refreshing profile ensured its survival long after repeal.
Flavour profile
Citrus, Sweet, Boozy, Herbal
Variations
- Bronx Cocktail — Add 0.75 oz sweet vermouth and a dash of orange bitters for a richer, aperitif-style structure.
- Golden Orange Blossom — Substitute dry vermouth for the sweetener and introduce a barspoon of apricot liqueur.
- Orange Blossom Fizz — Strain into a tall Collins glass over pebble ice and top with 2 oz chilled club soda.
Practise making the Orange Blossom in the free Virtual Bar game.