Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)
Blood Orange Rosemary Spritz: A refreshing zero-proof spritz made with fresh blood orange juice, lemon, rosemary-infused simple syrup, ice, and chilled sparkling water.
Quick Ingredients
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large fresh rosemary sprigs, each about 4 inches long
- 1 (2-inch) strip blood orange zest
- 1/16 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup fresh blood orange juice, strained and chilled to 38°F to 40°F
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, strained
- 1/4 cup chilled rosemary simple syrup
- 2 cups chilled unflavored sparkling water or club soda, 38°F to 40°F
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 4 thin blood orange wheels and 4 small rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Do This
- 1. Simmer water, sugar, rosemary, blood orange zest, and salt for 2 minutes once the mixture reaches a gentle simmer, about 200°F.
- 2. Cover and steep the rosemary syrup for 10 minutes, then strain.
- 3. Cool the syrup in an ice bath for 10 minutes, then measure out 1/4 cup for the spritzes.
- 4. Stir together blood orange juice, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup rosemary syrup.
- 5. Add 1/2 cup ice to each of 4 glasses and divide the citrus-rosemary base evenly, about 3 ounces per glass.
- 6. Top each glass with 1/2 cup chilled sparkling water, stir gently once, and garnish with blood orange and rosemary.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright and refreshing: Fresh blood orange juice brings a gorgeous ruby color and a sweet-tart citrus flavor.
- Elegant but easy: A quick rosemary simple syrup makes the drink feel special without complicated technique.
- Perfectly balanced: Lemon juice sharpens the sweetness, while sparkling water keeps everything light and crisp.
- Great for gatherings: The citrus-rosemary base can be made ahead, then topped with bubbles right before serving.
Grocery List
- Produce: 6 medium blood oranges, 2 medium lemons, 1 bunch fresh rosemary
- Dairy: None needed
- Pantry: Granulated sugar, fine sea salt, filtered water, unflavored sparkling water or club soda, ice cubes
Full Ingredients
For the Rosemary Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large fresh rosemary sprigs, each about 4 inches long
- 1 (2-inch) strip blood orange zest, removed with a vegetable peeler and avoiding the bitter white pith
- 1/16 teaspoon fine sea salt
For the Blood Orange Spritzes
- 1 cup fresh blood orange juice, strained and chilled to 38°F to 40°F, from about 6 medium blood oranges
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, strained, from about 2 medium lemons
- 1/4 cup chilled rosemary simple syrup, from the batch above
- 2 cups chilled unflavored sparkling water or club soda, 38°F to 40°F
- 2 cups ice cubes, divided
For Garnish
- 4 thin blood orange wheels, sliced about 1/8 inch thick
- 4 small fresh rosemary sprigs, each about 2 inches long
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the rosemary syrup
In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup filtered water, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 3 large rosemary sprigs, 1 strip blood orange zest, and 1/16 teaspoon fine sea salt. Set the pan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. When the mixture reaches a gentle simmer, about 200°F, let it simmer for 2 minutes. The total time on the heat should be about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Steep and strain the syrup
Remove the saucepan from the heat, cover it, and let the rosemary steep for 10 minutes. This gives the syrup a fragrant herbal flavor without turning it bitter. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof measuring cup or jar, discarding the rosemary sprigs and orange zest. You will have about 3/4 cup syrup; use 1/4 cup for this recipe and save the rest for another round.
Step 3: Cool the syrup quickly
For the crispest spritz, the syrup should be cool before it meets the sparkling water. Place the jar or measuring cup of strained syrup into a bowl filled with ice water for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the syrup is cool to the touch. If making it ahead, cover and refrigerate it until fully chilled, ideally 38°F to 40°F.
Step 4: Juice and strain the citrus
Roll the blood oranges and lemons firmly on the counter to help release their juice. Cut them in half and juice them until you have exactly 1 cup blood orange juice and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Strain both juices through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds and excess pulp. This keeps the finished drink smooth, bright, and polished.
Step 5: Mix the citrus-rosemary base
In a small pitcher or large measuring cup, stir together the 1 cup strained blood orange juice, 1/4 cup strained lemon juice, and 1/4 cup chilled rosemary simple syrup. This base should taste a little more concentrated than a finished drink because it will be diluted with sparkling water and ice.
Step 6: Build the spritzes
Add 1/2 cup ice cubes to each of 4 tall glasses or stemless wine glasses. Divide the citrus-rosemary base evenly among the glasses, using about 3 ounces, or 6 tablespoons, per glass. Pour slowly so the deep ruby-orange color settles beautifully around the ice.
Step 7: Add the bubbles and garnish
Top each glass with 1/2 cup chilled sparkling water or club soda. Pour gently down the inside of the glass to preserve as much carbonation as possible. Stir once or twice with a bar spoon, just enough to combine. Garnish each spritz with 1 thin blood orange wheel and 1 small rosemary sprig, then serve immediately while cold and fizzy.
Pro Tips
- Keep everything cold: Chilled juice, chilled syrup, and sparkling water at 38°F to 40°F help the drink stay crisp and bubbly longer.
- Do not over-steep the rosemary: Ten minutes gives a clean herbal aroma; steeping much longer than 15 minutes can make the syrup taste woody or bitter.
- Strain the citrus juice: Removing pulp and seeds creates a smoother, more elegant spritz with a clearer color.
- Wake up the garnish: Lightly clap the rosemary sprig between your palms before adding it to the glass. This releases its aroma without bruising it into the drink.
- Adjust gently if needed: Blood oranges vary in sweetness. If yours are very tart, add 1 teaspoon extra syrup per glass; if they are very sweet, add 1 teaspoon extra lemon juice per glass.
Variations
- Blood Orange Rosemary Prosecco Spritz: Replace the 2 cups sparkling water with 2 cups chilled prosecco or cava for a festive alcoholic version.
- Ginger Blood Orange Spritz: Add 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger to the syrup during the 10-minute steep, then strain well for a gentle warming note.
- Thyme Citrus Spritz: Replace the rosemary with 4 large thyme sprigs for a softer, slightly floral herbal flavor.
Storage & Make-Ahead
The rosemary simple syrup can be made up to 2 weeks ahead and stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. The strained blood orange juice and lemon juice can be combined and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. For the best fizz, do not add sparkling water until just before serving. Once assembled, the spritzes are best enjoyed within 10 minutes; after about 30 minutes, the ice will dilute the drink and the bubbles will fade.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 65 kcal | Carbs: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 14g | Sodium: 15mg | Cholesterol: 0mg
