Blood and Sand
A smoky-sweet Scotch cocktail brightened by cherry liqueur and fresh orange.
Blood and Sand blends Scotch whisky, sweet vermouth, orange juice, and cherry liqueur into a vivid, round, and lightly smoky sour. Shaken cold, it pours a glowing orange-red with soft fruit and malt notes and a light froth on top. Fresh orange keeps the drink lifted instead of heavy, while cherry liqueur brings color and a subtle pit-fruit accent. The Scotch base makes it one of the few classic citrus cocktails where smoke and grain sit comfortably alongside bright fruit.
Ingredients
- • 0.75 oz Scotch whisky
- • 0.75 oz sweet vermouth
- • 0.75 oz cherry liqueur
- • 0.75 oz fresh orange juice
- • Brandied cherry
Did you know?
“Named for the 1922 Rudolph Valentino bullfighting film, Blood and Sand is one of the earliest cocktails tied directly to a Hollywood release, and historians point out that it helped pull Scotch into the realm of colorful, fruit-driven drinks rather than just club tumbler pours.”
Bartender's Note
Use a moderately smoky blended Scotch so malt and citrus stay in balance rather than letting peat dominate.
How to make the Blood and Sand
- 1Add Scotch, vermouth, cherry liqueur, and orange juice to a shaker with ice.
- 2Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy.
- 3Strain into a chilled coupe.
- 4Garnish with a brandied cherry.
