This blood orange vodka cocktail is a refreshing, low-calorie cocktail made with vodka, blood orange juice, lime juice, agave nectar, and a splash of sparkling water. It’s light and flavorful, making it the perfect choice on a hot summer day. Mocktail option included.
Looking for a simple cocktail recipe to serve at summertime celebrations? This low-calorie summer citrus cocktail recipe is made with vodka, freshly squeezed blood orange juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, and sparkling water for the perfect lightened-up summer drink.
Personally, I like to cool down with a refreshing mixed drink on the weekends during the summer without wrecking my diet with a calorie-laden drink, so this low-calorie blood orange vodka cocktail has been a total game-changer.
Recipes like this citrus vodka cocktail are my favorite lightened-up concoction to cool off in the summer heat. Not to mention, it’s easy to mix up a larger portion for a crowd, and it makes for a pretty presentation.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick and easy. There are only four ingredients, plus ice, and the drink takes less than a minute to mix up.
- Great for summer gatherings. This blood orange vodka cocktail will be a hit at graduation parties, bridal showers, summer festivities, and so on.
- Mocktail option. You can hold the vodka and make a refreshing mocktail version. It's super simple and full of flavor.
Ingredients you'll need
- Vodka – When it comes to vodka, there are a lot of options on the market, so choose a vodka that you enjoy and fits within your budget.
- Freshly squeezed blood orange juice – The exact timing of the season may vary depending on the location and weather conditions, but generally, you can expect to find blood oranges in grocery stores from December through May.
- Freshly squeezed lime juice – You can use bottled lime juice if you have it, but juicing fresh lime will make a world of difference in the flavor of your finished drink.
- Agave nectar – This naturally occurring sweetener helps balance the vibrant citrusy flavors. You can also use honey or simple syrup here.
- Ice - You will need a scoop to shake and a scoop to serve.
- Orange sparkling water – I used orange LaCroix to top the drink, but go with your favorite orange sparkling water here. You can also use plain sparkling water or lemon-lime soda.
- Optional garnish – I like garnishing this cocktail with a salt rim, lime wedge, and orange slice.
How to make a blood orange vodka cocktail
Step 1: Rim the glass. If you like a salted rim, use a lime wedge to moisten the top and outer edge of the glass. Then flip the glass upside down and dip it into a shallow bowl filled with a couple of teaspoons of coarse salt to create a nice, even rim.
Step 2: Shake the cocktail. Add a scoop of ice to a cocktail shaker along with the vodka, orange juice, lime juice, and agave nectar, and shake well to mix.
Step 3: Strain and top with sparkling water. Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with fresh ice. Top the rest of the glass with sparkling water.
Step 4: Garnish and serve. If you’re feeling fancy, garnish the glass with a lime and blood orange slice, and enjoy!
Recipe tips
- Glassware suggestions. I use a lowball glass to make this recipe and a small amount of sparkling water, but you can also make this in a tall glass if you prefer a lighter spritzer.
- Blood orange substitutes. If blood oranges aren't in season or you can’t find them in your area, you can easily swap them for another orange variety like cara cara oranges, navel oranges, valencia oranges, or tangerines.
- Use quality vodka. Choose a good quality vodka that complements the sweet-tart flavor of the blood orange. A clean, smooth vodka will allow the citrus notes to shine.
Variations
My favorite mixed drink is this combination of sparkling water, freshly squeezed citrus, top-shelf vodka, and a splash of juice. If you want to switch it up a bit, check out these tasty ideas:
- Blood orange mocktail. Leave out the booze and mix as directed for a mocktail, or use a zero-proof vodka. It's equally delicious as a non-alcoholic fruity spritzer!
- Grapefruit vodka cocktail. To switch things up, substitute the blood oranges with grapefruit.
- Make it with tequila. Fresh orange juice, lime juice, agave nectar, and sparkling water are the perfect “mixer” for tequila.
- Juice options. Blood orange pairs well with all types of less acidic fruit, so feel free to add cold-pressed juice, like apricot, fig, strawberry, mango, apple, melon, or peach, to the mix.
- Tajin rim. Swap the salt rim for a Tajin rim to brighten the drink with a tangy, salty, and citrusy taste with a subtle chile flavor.
- Make it a blood-orange “crush.” To instantly make this blood orange vodka cocktail more similar to a traditional crush, simply add a splash of triple sec.
Storing & freezing
Storing leftover cocktails is not ideal, as they are best enjoyed fresh. However, if you have some leftover, strain the ice, and refrigerate the liquid in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Shake well and pour into a glass full of fresh ice.
Recipe FAQs
The non-alcoholic ingredients make a sweet, tart, and tangy cocktail mixer perfect for vodka, but it also pairs well with tequila, spiced rum, and flavored vodkas. If you can find blood orange vodka, it would be perfect!
Sure! Simply add all ingredients and a scoop of ice to a high-speed blender and process until frosty and smooth. If you prefer a thicker, more frozen daiquiri-like consistency, blend the drink with about a teaspoon of xanthan gum.
Easy! All you have to do is build the drink in a pitcher without ice and whisk it vigorously. Or you can make a pitcher of the mocktail version and allow your guests to help themselves to vodka on the side to add to their individual drinks.
More low-calorie summer drinks
- Ginger Beer Mocktail
- Blue Lagoon Mocktail
- Sparking Tropical Sangria
- Strawberry Mojito
- Kiwi Skinny Mojito
- Spicy Jalapeno Margaritas
- Summer Peach Frose
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Blood Orange Vodka Cocktail {Mocktail Option}
Equipment
- 1 cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 1-2 oz vodka depending on how strong you like it. You can also use zero-proof vodka for a mocktail or leave it out *see notes
- 2 oz freshly squeezed blood orange juice
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ oz agave nectar
- ice
- orange sparkling water to fill the rest of the glass I used orange LaCroix, but go with your favorite orange sparkling water here. You can also use plain sparkling water.
- optional: coarse salt, lime wedges, and orange slice for garnishing the rim
Instructions
- If you like a salted rim, run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and dip it into a shallow bowl filled with 1-2 teaspoon of coarse salt to coat.
- Fill a chilled cocktail shaker with a handful of ice and add the first four ingredients to the shaker.
- Shake well to mix.
- Add a handful of ice to the glass and add the juice mixture.
- Top with sparkling water to fill the glass.
- Garnish with a lime slice and blood orange slice to make it fancy.
Notes
Nutrition
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Serena
Gorgeous photos. (I find glasses tricky to shoot!) And I'm all into this months theme. Starting a Pin board just for all the cocktail ideas. KNOW I'll make yours as we have a garden full of mint!
Amee Livingston
Thank you Serena! Yes, there are so many great drink ideas for summer! I'm loving it, too!!