Blood Orange Whisky Cocktail

A delicious, cozy cocktail made with rye whiskey, blood orange, basil and warm spices.

I was recently dining outdoors at Positano Coast, a delightful Italian restaurant in Philadelphia. Their cocktail menu caught my eye, as it was super creative and everything looked delicious. I chose a whisky drink called “Sweater Weather” and it was so good I decided to recreate it. Let me tell you – the cardamom in the cocktail is a game changer! The spice adds a touch of sophistication without making the recipe complicated. Not only did it taste great, but the deep orange/golden color it possesses along with the bright green basil gives off the perfect vibe for the winter months.

2020 (and I guess now 2021) has been the year of making cocktails at home, among many other things. This year has been heavy for many reasons and small things like creating recipes at home have kept me going. I’ve learned to focus on small joys such as self care through cooking healthy foods for myself, as well as the occasional dessert or cocktail. Cooking and creating food for ourselves is becoming a lost art, and I hope that this cocktail recipe inspires you to stay in on a Friday night, cook a simple, nutritious, and intentional dinner for yourself, and follow it with a simple and warmly spiced whisky drink if you so choose. Anyway, I used to enjoy a fancy cocktail out on a Friday night, but this past year I’ve learned how to make delicious creations from the comfort of my own home. It’s cheaper, slightly healthier because you can control the ingredients and amount of sugar, and it’s cozier because you can make them in your PJ’s!

This cocktail contains cardamom, which is one of my favorite spices. It’s warm like cinnamon but it’s also slightly sweet. It goes very well with citrus, which is why this cocktail just works. The tangy blood orange and lemon and slightly sweet, slightly minty basil flavors are tied together by warm, spicy whisky and cardamom. This drink is perfect for sweater weather, hence it’s name. It’s like a warm hug in a cup and is unbelievably easy to make!

So, next time you’re at the grocery store, make sure to grab the 6 ingredients to make this delicious creation! Serve it with a fresh winter salad with pomegranate and citrus, or as an after dinner cocktail to enjoy in the comfort of your living room. It’s perfect for a nice date night in! Now, let’s get to the recipe.