My Favourite Cocktail – “Blood and Sand”

By Marysa Mitch

limerence + liquor

When I’m not at the bar, you’ll find me in a movie theater or seated in front of my television watching one of the classics. You see, while my love for cocktails runs deep, the cinema has held my heart since my youth. So it should come as no surprise that my favorite cocktail is named after the 1922 movie, Blood and Sand, starring the one and only Rudolph Valentino.

In the movie Valentino plays a poor boy who grows up to become a revered bullfighter. At the height of his fame he begins a torrid love affair with a beautiful widow, even though he is married. Like the movie, the Blood and Sand cocktail, blends together flavors that may not originally seem to fit together, but once it hits your lips, you can taste the chemistry. The smokiness of Scotch whisky, along with the sweetness and acidity of the fresh orange juice, vermouth, and Cherry Heering bring out the best in each other. To me, it is the quintessential cocktail, bringing together all the unique, and strong flavors, into a cohesive drink.

Now some drinkers may scoff at their beloved Scotch whisky as merely an ingredient in a cocktail.  However, it was this cocktail that opened my eyes to Scotch whisky. The Blood and Sand is a good starter cocktail for soon to be Scotch whisky lovers. And believe me, once you try it, there’s no turning your back on the spirit again.

Blood and Sand

3/4 oz Famous Grouse Scotch whisky

3/4 oz Sweet vermouth

3/4 oz Cherry Heering Liqueur

3/4 oz Freshly squeezed orange juice

 

Add all the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, and strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel.