This winter mocktail made with blood orange juice, honey, and vanilla is a refreshing winter spritzer. It’s an easy mocktail – a perfect drink for Dry January and a pretty, non-alcoholic drink for girls’ night in!
This gorgeous blood orange mocktail is the first in my series of seasonal mocktails. And when it comes to winter mocktails, it’s all about citrus!
The most beautiful of the citrus in my humble opinion? Blood oranges. Gory name aside, you want these beautiful immune boosters in your life.
What are blood oranges?
Blood oranges get their ruby-red color from anthocyanins, the same heart-healthy pigments that give blueberries their color.
Just one blood orange delivers more than a day’s supply of Vitamin C, which may boost immune function – something we all need during the winter months. Vitamin C is essential for healthy cells and healing.
Blood oranges are also a good source of fiber which helps keep cholesterol levels in check among other things.
How to make a healthy mocktail
- Use seasonal ingredients. Seasonal fruit is naturally sweet so you can cut back on added sugars in the drink. You can also use frozen berries in winter for the same effect.
- Add some bubbly – not sparkling wine or champagne – but sparkling water or tonic water add just enough fizz to keep the drink interesting and festive.
- Go big on flavors. I like to add anti-inflammatory and bold ingredients like ginger to take the flavor up a notch. You can also muddle in basil, mint, rosemary and other herbs to get some of those naturally flavorful oils and color.
- Try kombucha as a base. In addition to the potential gut health benefits, kombucha offers a slight effervescence to give your mocktail a little something extra to keep it exciting.
These are a few ideas to help you build a flavorful mocktail. Now I’ll show you how I made this beauty…
Let’s make this blood orange mocktail
To make this recipe, you’ll only need 4 ingredients – blood oranges, honey, vanilla extract, and sparkling water. Ice doesn’t count. Things will get messy before they get pretty. Squeeze the blood orange juice.
You will be tempted to just drink it all right here. Believe me.
Keep going. It gets better.
Once the juice is squeezed, add the honey and vanilla.
It’s important to add the honey to room temperature juice. This way the honey will dissolve into the juice with a little shaking. If you refrigerate the blood orange juice for make-ahead prep, you’ll need to heat the juice for the honey to dissolve.
Combine the juice with lime-flavored sparkling water over ice for this simple and easy citrus mocktail!
I know you’re going to love this one. After I stopped staring at it, I drank both myself. And I’ll do it again! It’s right on time for anyone doing Dry January or if you’re just looking for a way to add some color to winter!
And for a fall mocktail, my Apple Ginger Mocktail is refreshing but also slightly sweet and spicy!
When you make this recipe, tag me on Instagram to say CHEERS!
Sparkling Blood Orange Mocktail
Ingredients
- 8 oz. blood orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 oz. lime sparkling water
- blood orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- Squeeze the blood orange juice into a mason jar with a lid or cocktail shaker. Add the honey and vanilla extract to the unchilled juice. Shake. Add ice to cool it down.
- Pour evenly into two ice-filled glasses. Top with lime sparkling water and a slice of blood orange on top. Cheers! Enjoy right away.
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
I’m totally obsessed with blood oranges and love the thoughts of a mocktail. It looks so refreshing and sweet! Wouldn’t mind it with added vodka too.
Marisa
Me too, Karen! Obsessed!
Taylor Kiser
This looks so refreshing! It would be a great beverage for a brunch menu!
Marisa
Thanks, Taylor! It would be perfect for brunch! I quite enjoyed it on our 65 degree day yesterday 🙂
Emily
What gorgeous pictures! I can’t wait to try this. But let’s say I wanted to add alcohol… how much should I add?
Marisa
LOL. You can easily swap the sparkling water for vodka plus a squeeze of lime juice. I’m not a big gin fan but that would work too!
Stephanie
This sounds soo good. I’d love to have one right now. Lovely photos 🙂
Marisa
Thanks, Stephanie. I enjoyed making this one! It’s really tasty!
lola@cheflolaskitchen
I usually face immunity issues in winters, this looks like a perfect combo of deliciousness and health benefits. Loving this Marisa.
Marisa
Thank you, Lola! Cheers to staying well this winter!
Katrina Crandall
Oooh! I’ve been looking for a mocktail recipe that’s a little extra special. This is it! Thank you! Can’t wait to try it.
Marisa
It’s a yummy one! Hope you get to make it this season!
Sue
Could I use cara cara oranges? I can’t find blood oranges nearby.
Marisa Moore
Yes. You can use cara caras (or a basic orange) but the flavor and color will be strikingly different. Cara Cara oranges are sweeter so you might consider reducing the honey.
Alyssa
How many oranges should I buy to get 8 oz?
Marisa Moore
It’s not an exact science but you’ll need at least 4 blood oranges probably more depending on the size and how well hydrated the oranges are.