Blood and Sand Cocktail | The Sophisticated Scotch Cocktail

Looking for a sophisticated scotch cocktail that breaks away from the traditional? The Blood and Sand cocktail stands as one of the few classic cocktails that successfully combines scotch with fruit flavors, creating an unexpectedly harmonious blend that’s captured imaginations since the 1920s.

Two cocktail glasses with pink Blood and Sand drinks and dried orange garnishes stand on a round golden tray, with a bottle and cloth in the background.

What Is a Blood and Sand Cocktail?

The Blood and Sand cocktail emerged in 1922, named after Rudolph Valentino’s bullfighting film of the same name. This elegant concoction combines scotch whisky, cherry liqueur, sweet vermouth, and orange juice in perfect proportion, with each ingredient representing elements from the bullring: the scotch for strength, cherry liqueur for blood, vermouth for sand, and orange juice for the sunrise.

A pink Blood and Sand cocktail with a dried orange slice garnish rests on a brass tray.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

PERFECTLY BALANCED – The unexpected marriage of scotch and fruit creates a surprisingly smooth cocktail that’s both sophisticated and approachable.
CONVERSATION STATER – Named after a 1922 silent film, this classic cocktail adds instant intrigue to any gathering.

What You Need to Make a Blood and Sand Cocktail

Scotch Whisky: A Highland or Speyside single malt provides the perfect backbone
Cherry Liqueur: Cherry Heering is traditional, though Luxardo works beautifully
Sweet Vermouth: Carpano Antica Formula elevates the drink’s complexity
Fresh Orange Juice: Fresh-squeezed only; store-bought simply won’t do
Dehydrated Orange Wheel: For garnish and aromatic enhancement

How to Make a Blood and Sand Cocktail

Combine scotch, cherry liqueur, sweet vermouth, and fresh orange juice in a shaker
Fill with premium ice and shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds
Double strain into a chilled coupe glass
Float the dehydrated orange wheel as garnish

Expert Recipe Tips

Use a blended scotch for your first attempt; single malts can be introduced as you perfect your technique
Fresh orange juice is non-negotiable – squeeze it moments before mixing
Temperature is crucial – ensure your glassware is properly chilled
The shake should be vigorous to properly integrate the orange juice

Two cocktail glasses with pink Blood and Sand cocktails and dried orange garnish sit on a golden tray, with a carafe of orange juice and a citrus juicer in the background.

How to serve this cocktail

Present in a chilled coupe glass, allowing the dehydrated orange wheel to rest elegantly on the surface. The Blood and Sand shines brightest as an after-dinner sipper or during intimate cocktail hours.

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Total Time:5

Ingredients

1 oz whisky or scotch
3/4 oz sweet vermouth
3/4 oz cherry liqueuer
1 oz orange juice

Instructions

Add all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker or mixing glass and fill with ice.
Shake until chilled.
Strain into a glass and garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel.

Servings: 1 cocktail

Recipe FAQs

Can I use any type of scotch?

While any scotch works, we recommend starting with a quality blended scotch before experimenting with single malts.

Why is fresh orange juice so important?

Fresh juice provides vital oils and brightness that bottled juice lacks, fundamentally changing the cocktail’s character. And because we don’t do anything half assed around here.

What’s the best cherry liqueur substitute?

While Cherry Heering is traditional, Luxardo or high-quality maraschino liqueur can work in a pinch.

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