Blood and Sand
Scotch whisky, cherry liqueur, sweet vermouth and fresh orange juice shaken into a rich, fruity classic. The Blood and Sand is one of the rare Scotch cocktails where whisky meets fresh fruit, creating a softer and more approachable side of Scotch.
Recept voor Blood and Sand
- Scotch whisky 25 ml
- Cherry Liqueur 25 ml
- Sweet red vermouth 25 ml
- Orange juice 25 ml
- Fresh orange 1 twist
- Ice 150
Make it properly
- Chill a coupe glass.
- Add the Scotch whisky, cherry liqueur, sweet vermouth and fresh orange juice to a shaker.
- Add approximately 150 g ice.
- Shake firmly for 10–12 seconds.
- Fine strain into the chilled coupe.
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail and garnish.
WHAT MAKES A BLOOD AND SAND?
The unusual combination of Scotch whisky and fresh orange juice gives the Blood and Sand its identity.
Cherry liqueur deepens the fruit character while sweet vermouth introduces herbs, spice and additional richness. Unlike the Rob Roy or Rusty Nail, the cocktail is shaken because it contains fresh citrus juice.
The four ingredients work best when none dominates the others.
Your recipe, ready to save.
Download a compact recipe card and use the QR code to return to the live builder whenever you need to scale the quantities.
BLOOD AND SAND RECIPE, INGREDIENTS & TIPS
The Blood and Sand stands apart from most classic Scotch cocktails. Instead of pairing whisky with only vermouth, bitters or another liqueur, it introduces fresh orange juice and cherry liqueur. The classic equal-parts structure makes it particularly easy to remember. Scotch provides the foundation, cherry liqueur contributes dark fruit, sweet vermouth adds herbal complexity, and fresh orange connects everything with bright citrus. The result should be fruity and rounded while still allowing the Scotch to remain noticeable.
THE BEST INGREDIENTS FOR A BLOOD AND SAND
Choose a balanced blended Scotch whisky with enough malt character to remain noticeable after shaking. Very heavily peated Scotch can easily dominate the other ingredients.
For the cherry component, use a proper cherry liqueur with concentrated fruit character. It should contribute depth and sweetness without making the cocktail taste artificial.
A characterful sweet vermouth adds herbs, spice and wine richness. Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino is a particularly good fit for this style of cocktail.
Finally, use fresh orange juice. With only four ingredients, dull or overly processed juice can noticeably flatten the finished drink.
HOW TO BALANCE A BLOOD AND SAND
The traditional equal-parts formula is a useful starting point:
25 ml Scotch + 25 ml cherry liqueur + 25 ml sweet vermouth + 25 ml fresh orange juice.
The key is ingredient selection. Both cherry liqueur and sweet vermouth contribute sweetness, so fresh orange juice should provide enough acidity and freshness to stop the drink becoming heavy.
A balanced Scotch also works better than an extremely smoky whisky. The Scotch should remain identifiable without overpowering the fruit and vermouth.
THE STORY BEHIND THE BLOOD AND SAND
The Blood and Sand takes its name from the 1922 silent film Blood and Sand, starring Rudolph Valentino and based on Vicente Blasco Ibáñez's novel about a Spanish bullfighter.
The cocktail appeared in print in Harry Craddock's influential 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book, where it was made with Scotch whisky, Italian vermouth, cherry brandy and orange juice.
Its creator is not firmly established, but the combination survived while many other cocktails of the period disappeared. Today it remains one of the best-known classic cocktails built around Scotch and fruit.
HOW TO SHAKE A BLOOD AND SAND
Shake the cocktail rather than stirring it.
Fresh orange juice needs vigorous shaking to combine properly with the Scotch, vermouth and cherry liqueur. Add all four liquid ingredients to a shaker with approximately 150 g ice and shake firmly for around 10–12 seconds.
Fine strain into a chilled coupe. There should be no ice in the serving glass.
A slight natural texture on the surface from the fresh orange juice is completely normal.
SERVE IT PROPERLY
Serve the Blood and Sand straight up in a chilled coupe.
The cocktail should have a rich amber-orange to reddish-orange appearance, depending on the cherry liqueur and sweet vermouth used.
Finish with one orange twist. Express the peel over the surface first so the fresh citrus oils add aroma before placing it on the rim.
TIPS & VARIATIONS
Use freshly squeezed orange juice. It gives the drink brighter acidity and fresher citrus character.
Don't reach for the smokiest Scotch. A balanced blended Scotch allows the cherry, orange and vermouth to remain part of the drink.
Adjust the sweetness carefully. If your cherry liqueur and vermouth are particularly rich, slightly increasing the orange juice can produce a fresher result.
Shake properly. Orange juice benefits from a firm shake, giving the finished cocktail a lighter texture than a stirred Scotch drink.
Questions about the Blood and Sand
What is in a Blood and Sand cocktail?
A Blood and Sand combines Scotch whisky, cherry liqueur, sweet vermouth and fresh orange juice. The ingredients are shaken with ice and strained into a chilled cocktail glass.
Why is it called Blood and Sand?
The cocktail was named after the 1922 film Blood and Sand starring Rudolph Valentino. Its reddish-orange appearance also fits the dramatic name.
What Scotch should I use for a Blood and Sand?
A balanced blended Scotch is an excellent choice. It should have enough character to remain noticeable without overwhelming the cherry, vermouth and orange.
What cherry liqueur should I use?
Use a proper cocktail-friendly cherry liqueur rather than cherry syrup. The liqueur should provide concentrated cherry flavour together with sweetness and additional alcoholic strength.
Is a Blood and Sand shaken or stirred?
It is shaken because the recipe contains fresh orange juice. Shake firmly with ice and fine strain into a chilled coupe.
Is a Blood and Sand served with ice?
No. Ice is used for shaking, but the finished cocktail is normally served straight up without ice.
How much do I need for a group?
Choose 6, 12, 24 or 48 cocktails and the quantities are calculated for you. Each Blood and Sand uses 25 ml each of Scotch whisky, cherry liqueur, sweet vermouth and fresh orange juice.