Blood and Sand
A BevX Cocktail Recipe
The Blood and Sand is named for the 1922 Rudolph Valentino film and is one of the rare classic cocktails built on a Scotch base. The combination of Scotch, cherry liqueur, sweet vermouth, and orange juice sounds wrong on paper and tastes startlingly right in the glass. It is sweet, fruity, and complex — and it is one of the most effective gateway drinks for people who believe they do not enjoy Scotch whisky.
Ingredients
3/4 oz. Scotch Whisky
3/4 oz. Cherry Heering (or other cherry Liqueur)
3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth
3/4 oz. Fresh orange juice
Occasion
An excellent aperitif or an after-dinner drink. Its sweetness and fruit make it welcoming to a broad range of palates.
Method
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a cherry or an orange twist.
Variations
Fresh blood orange juice elevates this drink considerably when in season. The Cherry Liqueur is not negotiable — it is the structural heart of the drink. Blended Scotch Whisky is our choice.
Source: Classic, named for the 1922 Rudolph Valentino film