Blood & Sand Cocktail Recipe: A Classic Guide
About This Project
To make a Blood & Sand cocktail, gather Scotch whisky, Cherry Heering, sweet vermouth, orange juice, cocktail shaker, jigger, Hawthorne strainer, and a chilled coupe or martini glass. Fill the shaker with ice, then add 1 ounce each of the whisky, Cherry Heering, sweet vermouth, and orange juice. Secure the lid and shake for 15-20 seconds until chilled. Double strain the mix into the chilled glass.
Best for beginners and first-time DIYers with familiarity with power tools.
Tools & Materials
Shaken Cocktail Set - Mix 'N Match
Japanese-Style Jigger
Hawthorne Strainer (Deluxe Antique-Style)
The Stirred Cocktail Set
Bourbon whiskey
Milwaukee PACKOUT 20 in. 2-Wheel Utility Cart Kit (3-Piece) 48-22-8415-48-22-8425-48-22-8424
Shaken Cocktail Set - Mix 'N Match
<meta charset="UTF-8"> <p class="">This Shaken Cocktail set is the perfect one-stop-shop gift for your whiskey sour, margarita and daiquiri loving friends! Order them in any finish you like, or mix and match and make your own custom combination of items. Each set comes in a beautiful Bull In China gift box and includes:</p> <p class="">- Set of <a href="https://bull-in-china-pdx.myshopify.com/products/set-of-weighted-shaker-tins?_pos=1&_sid=39c9d01fb&_ss=r" target="_blank">Weighted Shaker Tins</a>—more specifically, a 28oz base and 18oz cheater tin<br></p> <p class="">- Made in USA <a href="https://bull-in-china-pdx.myshopify.com/products/new-hawthorne-strainer?_pos=1&_sid=959f12271&_ss=r" target="_blank">Hawthorne Strainer</a>: keep pesky pulp and ice chips out of your drink with the ultra dense coil on our locally made version<br></p> <p class="">- 3.5" <a href="https://bull-in-china-pdx.myshopify.com/products/fine-mesh-strainer?_pos=1&_sid=bedcffeb0&_ss=r" target="_blank">Fine Mesh Strainer</a>: the last line of defense between your drink and any renegade seeds, stems, or other solids you'd rather not see nestled between your teeth later<br></p> <p class="">- 2:1 <a href="https://bull-in-china-pdx.myshopify.com/products/bull-in-china-bell-jigger?_pos=3&_sid=1070c26c4&_ss=r" target="_blank">Bell Jigger</a> w/internal measures (.25, .5, .75oz on the 1oz side, 1.5oz on the 2oz side)</p>
Japanese-Style Jigger
<p class="" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Elegant design and a bartender favorite, this Japanese-style jigger measures 1 oz and 2 oz pours.</p> <p class="" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our version comes in seven finishes: Silver, Copper, Gold, Gunmetal Black, Matte Black, Antique Brass, and Rainbow Chrome.</p> <p class="" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Each one has internal measures (.25, .5oz and .75oz on the 1oz side; 1.5oz on the 2oz side). THAT'S RIGHT! We have a 1/4 oz line!</p> <p style="white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> <strong>While our silver version is perfectly dishwasher safe, we recommend handwashing any of the other finishes to prolong the life of those coatings.</strong></p>
Hawthorne Strainer (Deluxe Antique-Style)
<p class="">There has been a huge resurgence among professional bartenders for this vintage-inspired style of strainer. Our Antique-style Hawthorne Strainers are the perfect edition to your bar, too! They strain stirred drinks just as well as shaken ones. Use them with a mixing glass or a cocktail shaker. And that indentation in the leg is a great way to lock your strainer in place so it doesn’t slip away from you mid pour.</p> <p class="">Try any of six finishes: Silver, Copper, Gold, Gunmetal Black, Antique Brass and Rainbow Chrome</p> <p style="white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> <strong>While our silver version is perfectly dishwasher safe, we recommend handwashing any of the other finishes to prolong the life of those coatings.</strong></p>
The Stirred Cocktail Set
<p>What better way to start building the ultimate home bar than with our Stirred Cocktail Set. We only use premium tools for the best experience. This makes a perfect gift for any home bartender (including yourself!). It comes in our beautiful gift box, as well.<br></p> <p>The set comes with coordinated finishes including:<br></p> <p class=""><strong>- <a href="https://bullinchinapdx.com/products/hammered-glass-mixing-vessel" target="_blank">"The Flagship" Mixing Glass</a> (22oz) - BIC Originals</strong></p> <p class=""><strong>- <a href="https://bullinchinapdx.com/products/teardrop-barspoons-30cm" target="_blank">Teardrop Barspoon</a> (12"/30cm) - our top choice for versatility and great weighted balance.<br></strong></p> <p class=""><strong>- <a title="Bell Jigger" href="https://bullinchinapdx.com/products/bell-jigger" target="_blank">2:1 Bell Jigger</a> (w/internal measures). Our copper, and gold versions comes with our signature Hammered Bell Jigger. If you prefer the smooth walled version, please just message us or make a note at check out, and we can easily accommodate.</strong><br></p> <p class=""><strong>-Made in PDX <a href="https://bull-in-china-pdx.myshopify.com/products/new-hawthorne-strainer" target="_blank">Hawthorne Strainer</a> <br></strong></p> <p class=""><strong>*Silver comes with our Stainless Steel version<br data-mce-fragment="1">*Copper comes with our 100% Solid Copper version<br data-mce-fragment="1">*Gold and Antique Brass come with our 100% Brass version<br data-mce-fragment="1">*Gunmetal Black comes with our Matte Black version<br data-mce-fragment="1">*Rainbow Chrome comes with our Electric Purple version</strong></p> <p class=""><strong>- Premium Bull In China Gift Box</strong></p> <p class="">WHY THE HAWTHORNE STRAINER? Some people believe Julep Strainers are the only ones meant to use for Stirred Cocktails, but we respectfully disagree. The Hawthorne Strainer is a versatile tool that works just as well for stirred cocktails as it does for shaken ones—which is why we’ve included it here. And ours is the only one on the market that is made right here, in the United States. It fits perfectly atop our signature Bull in China Mixing Glass, our shaker tins, or even most pint glasses.</p> <p class=""><strong><i>Want to step up a Level? </i></strong>Check out the <a href="https://bullinchinapdx.com/products/the-stirred-cocktail-set-artisan">Artisan Stirred Cocktail Set</a>.</p>
Bourbon whiskey
bourbon whiskey
Milwaukee PACKOUT 20 in. 2-Wheel Utility Cart Kit (3-Piece) 48-22-8415-48-22-8425-48-22-8424
The Milwaukee PACKOUT 2-Wheel Cart has integrated PACKOUT mounting on the base and frame that allows users to securely stack or hang PACKOUT products. This PACKOUT rolling cart easily transfers on and
Steps
Common Problems
Uneven ingredient ratios lead to a poorly balanced cocktail.
Solution: Ensure accurate measurements for the best flavor balance.
Ensure the shaker is sealed properly to prevent spills.
Solution: To avoid this issue: Be mindful of this warning and take appropriate precautions.
Splashing and uneven mixing ruin the cocktail's appearance and taste.
Solution: Pour steadily to maintain control and prevent splashing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need specific "weighted shakers" or a "Hawthorne strainer" to make this cocktail?
While the listed tools are professional-grade and enhance the experience, a basic two-piece cocktail shaker and any fine-mesh strainer will work perfectly for a beginner. The key is a good seal for shaking and a way to separate ice from the drink.
Cherry Heering seems like a unique ingredient. Are there any common substitutes if I can't find it or want to save on cost?
Cherry Heering is crucial for the authentic Blood & Sand flavor profile. While some dry cherry liqueurs or kirschwasser could be substituted in a pinch, the unique sweetness and depth of Cherry Heering will be missed. It's recommended to seek out Cherry Heering for the best result, perhaps starting with a smaller bottle.
My Blood & Sand tastes a bit unbalanced or not cold enough. What might I be doing wrong?
This usually indicates insufficient chilling and dilution. Ensure you're shaking vigorously with plenty of ice for the full 15-20 seconds. Also, always pre-chill your coupe or martini glass in the freezer for at least 10-15 minutes before pouring to maintain the drink's temperature.
Is this cocktail truly "beginner" level, or are there hidden complexities I should be aware of?
Yes, it's genuinely beginner-friendly because it uses equal parts of four ingredients, simplifying the measurements. The main 'complexity' lies in sourcing the specific liqueurs and practicing a good, hard shake for optimal chilling and dilution, which comes easily with practice.
The estimated time is 15 minutes. Does that include gathering all the ingredients and chilling the glass?
The 15 minutes primarily accounts for the active mixing and shaking process. It's a good practice to have all your ingredients, tools, and a pre-chilled glass ready before you start, which might add a few extra minutes to the total prep time.
Some of these ingredients, like Scotch and Cherry Heering, seem a bit expensive for a single cocktail. How can I manage the cost as a beginner?
You don't need the most expensive Scotch; a good mid-range blended or Speyside Scotch works well. For Cherry Heering and sweet vermouth, consider purchasing smaller bottles or splits, as these ingredients last a long time and are used in many other classic cocktails, making them worthwhile investments for a home bar.
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