Blood Orange Mojito Recipes

Steps:

• For the cinnamon syrup: Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the cinnamon sticks and continue to simmer until the flavors are infused, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool, then strain and discard the cinnamon sticks. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
• For the mojito: Add the mint, lime wedges and 1 ounce cinnamon syrup to a cocktail shaker and muddle. Fill with the ice, and add the rum and orange juice and shake briefly. Pour directly into a highball glass. Top off with the sparkling wine and stir briefly. Garnish with a mint sprig and blood orange slice.

Steps:

• Divide the citrus fruit, mint leaves and sugar between 4 glasses. Muddle the fruit until the juice has been extracted. Add a shot of rum to each glass and stir. Fill each glass with ice. Top with club soda, stir and serve garnished with a mint sprig.

Steps:

• For the infused vodka: Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Throw in the cardamom and toast until slightly golden and fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat. Add the cardamom to the vodka along with the orange zest and vanilla bean. Stir to combine, then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
• For the basil caviar: Combine 1 cup water and the raw sugar in a small pot over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When it starts to simmer, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the basil. Pour the mixture into a blender and puree until smooth (be careful when blending hot liquids). Strain into a bowl and add the sodium alginate. Whisk for 1 minute, until thick. Whisk the bottled water and calcium lactate in a bowl. Suck the basil syrup into a syringe and squeeze small balls into the calcium bath. Let them soak for no more than 1 minute. Scoop out the basil caviar using a slotted spoon and rinse in a bowl of fresh water.
• For the mojitos: For each drink, muddle slices from 1 orange, 3 to 4 basil leaves and 1 tablespoon maple syrup in a glass. Throw in some ice cubes, 1 shot infused vodka, 1/2 cup orange juice and 1/4 cup sparkling water and top with 1 tablespoon basil caviar.
• Photo reprinted with permission from Nadia G.'s Bitchin' Kitchen: Cookin' For Trouble by Nadia G., copyright (c) 2011. Published by Ballantine Books.

Steps:

• Put the oranges, limes, sugar, and mint in a large rocks glass. Muddle the leaves and citrus by pressing them with a pestle or a wooden spoon until juicy and fragrant. Add the rum and ice. Cover with a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously, or stir, until combined and chilled, about 30 seconds. (In general, by the time the shaker mists up the drink is ready.) Serve.

Steps:

• Combine the sugar, lemon juice and mint leaves in a tall glass; mash with the back of a spoon.
• Mix in the rum and blood orange juice.
• Fill glass with ice.
• Top with a splash of ginger ale.