Have You Tried The Blood And Sand Cocktail?

Are you a fan of cocktails? It is fair to say that we live in a bit of a cocktail culture today, isn’t it? A lot of people like to scan the cocktail menu when they head to a bar, looking for something new and exciting to try! But, where do these creations come from? How do bartenders think of these amazing new drinks for us to enjoy? Read on to discover everything you need to know.

Cocktails that have been inspired by stories of the past

Whether it’s someone who has had a big influence on the bartending world or it’s a drink that has a fascinating and important place in history, one thing a lot of the best bartenders like to do is create cocktails that have been inspired by stories of the past. ‘Blood and Sand’ is a prime example of this, as it is a legendary cocktail that has been enjoyed for around 90 years now. A lot of bars have paid tribute to this special drink by creating their own version. Below, we will reveal everything you need to know about this tasty cocktail!

What is the Blood and Sand cocktail? Where does it come from?

Blood and Sand is actually the name of a 1922 movie that featured Rudolph Valentino. The famous Italian-born American actor featured in several silent films and was considered a sex symbol of the 1920s, referred to as ‘Valentino’ or ‘Latin Lover’. The actor died at the young age of 31 years old, just four years after starring in Blood and Sand. He was initially admitted to the hospital with gastric ulcers and appendicitis. A week later he was stricken with severe pleuritis, which caused him to slip into a coma and unfortunately he was not able to recover. His funeral caused mass hysteria from his fans, with windows smashed at the Frank Campbell Funeral Home, as people tried to get in. There were also reports of fan suicides.

Before dying, Valentino said: ‘the part I liked best was my role in ‘Blood and Sand’. If I had died, I would have liked to be remembered as an actor by that role – I think it was my greatest.’ The Blood and Sand cocktail pays tribute to the famous actor. The origins of the drink are unknown, with ambiguity surrounding who actually created the drink. However, it made its first appearance in Harry Cradock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book. This is one of the most famous cocktail books, so we definitely recommend checking it out if you have an interest in creating unique and delicious alcoholic drinks. 

The original recipe for the Blood and Sand cocktail 

The original recipe is a mixture of blended Scotch whisky, sweet vermouth, cherry heering liqueur, and fresh orange juice, all of equal measures. All ingredients are shaken with ice and then strained into a cocktail glass. The drink is finished off with an orange twist for garnish. You can get quality whisky from the likes of The Bottle Haus for this cocktail. After all, it is important to make sure that you use quality alcohol when making a cocktail. This can make all of the difference. If you are looking to impress your friends at your next party, this is definitely a good drink to consider serving. Not everyone will have heard of it, so you are bound to impress. 

Some bartenders have made their own versions of this cocktail

A lot of bartenders have created their own take on this signature cocktail. This is because they didn’t want to simply copy the original recipe. They want to pay tribute to Valentino in their own way, whilst also giving their customers a unique taste experience. For example, we have seen one cocktail whereby they have achieved a different depth of flavour by barrel ageing it and using Lagavulin. The version still reflects the classic, yet there is an added depth and bigger kick to the drink. There are lots of different ways that you can make your own version of this drink. Try different ingredients and preparation techniques. 

So there you have it: everything that you need to know about the delicious Blood and Sand cocktail. If you are looking for an exciting new whiskey drink to try, this is a great option. There are lots of other exciting whiskey cocktail recipes online too if you have a tendency to like a different sort of taste when it comes to your cocktails.