Blood Orange Lemonade (Print)

A vibrant citrus drink blending sweet-tart blood orange juice with fresh lemon for a refreshing beverage.

# What You Need:

→ Citrus

01 - 1 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice (from about 4-5 blood oranges)
02 - 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)

→ Sweetener

03 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 cup water for dissolving sugar

→ To Serve

05 - 3 cups cold water or sparkling water
06 - Ice cubes as needed
07 - Blood orange and lemon slices for garnish
08 - Fresh mint leaves for garnish

# How to Make:

01 - Combine sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
02 - In a large pitcher, combine fresh blood orange juice and lemon juice. Stir to blend evenly.
03 - Pour the cooled sugar syrup into the citrus mixture. Stir thoroughly to incorporate.
04 - Pour in cold water or sparkling water. Stir until fully combined.
05 - Taste the lemonade and adjust sweetness or acidity as desired by adding more sugar or citrus juice if needed.
06 - Fill serving glasses with ice cubes. Pour lemonade over ice and garnish with blood orange slices, lemon slices, and fresh mint if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The color alone makes people pause and ask what theyre drinking, like youve discovered some secret potion
  • That blood orange flavor hits different than regular oranges, more berry like and mysterious
  • Takes ten minutes from zero to pitcher, which is basically magic when guests are arriving
02 -
  • Blood oranges have a short season, usually winter through early spring, so grab them when you see them
  • The color intensity varies from orange to deep red depending on the specific variety and how they were grown
  • This drink tastes even better after sitting for an hour in the fridge, if you can manage that kind of patience
03 -
  • Make a double batch of the simple syrup and keep it in the fridge for instant lemonade anytime
  • If blood oranges are out of season, cara cara or regular oranges work, though youll miss that signature color

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