Must Mix: Clementine Cocktails

By Vicki Cruz

A good citrus fruit is heavy in the hand.

This is a simple, yet reliable test that will guide you in choosing the perfect citrus fruit every time. Clementines are a popular citrus fruit during the winter season. These tiny citrus fruits are imported from Spain, Morocco and parts of North Africa.

They are a cross between a Chinese mandarin and a sweet orange, but are very easy to peel and have no seeds. Currently in season but not for long (expect them to be gone by early February) Clementines make a sweet addition to cocktails. Plus, you will be enjoying the many health benefits of this little citrus fruit, including warding off that nasty winter cold with Vitamin C. Cheers!

Clementine Negroni

Clementine Negroni

Clementine Negroni

Courtesy of Bon Appetit

Ingredients:

  • 3 Clementines, Peeled
  • 1/4 Cup Hendrick’s Gin
  • 1/4 Cup Campari
  • 3 tbsp. Sweet Vermouth
  • Ice Cubes
  • 2 Clementine Slices (for garnish)

Preparation: Place 3 whole peeled clementines and orange bitters in cocktail shaker and muddle until clementines are broken down. Add gin, Campari, and vermouth. Fill shaker 3/4 full with ice. Shake vigorously 30 seconds. Strain into 2 Martini glasses, dividing equally. Garnish each with clementine slice.


Clementine Cocktail

Clementine Cocktail

Clementine Cocktail

Courtesy of Maureen C. Petrosky

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Vodka
  • 2 oz. Fresh-squeezed Clementine Juice (peels reserved)

  • 1 oz. Simple Syrup

Preparation: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the vodka, clementine juice and simple syrup. Shake until your shaker has a frosty coating on the outside, indicating your cocktail is nice and chilly. Rub the clementine peel around the edge of a glass filled with ice, then discard peel. Strain the cocktail into the glass and add a Clementine peel for garnish.


Clementine Sour

Clementine Sour

Clementine Sour

Courtesy of Rosie Schaap

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 oz. Bourbon
  • 1/2 oz. Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao
  • 1/4 oz. Spiced Brown Sugar Syrup
  • Juice of 1 Clementine – About 1 oz., (plus ribbon of peel for garnish)
  • 1 Egg White (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp. Luxardo Amaretto (enough to rinse inside of glass)
  • 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Preparation: In a shaker filled with ice, combine the bourbon, curaçao, brown sugar syrup and clementine juice (and egg white, if using). Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. In a chilled glass, swirl enough amaretto to coat the inside. Strain shaken drink into glass. Top with the bitters. Garnish with the ribbon of clementine peel.


Clementine Crush Sparkling Cocktail

Clementine Crush Sparkling Cocktail

Clementine Crush Sparkling Cocktail

Courtesy of Whole Foods

Ingredients:

  • 2 2/3 cups Clementine Juice, Plus 1 tbsp. Finely Chopped Clementine Zest, Plus 1 Clementine for Garnish (from 12-14 fruits total)
  • 1/4 cup Cane Sugar
  • 1 cup Organic 100% Cranberry Juice
  • 3/4 cup Fresh Cranberries
  • 8 (1-inch) Sprigs Fresh Rosemary
  • 1 (750-ml) Bottle Sparkling Wine
  • 1 (12 oz.) Can Tonic Water or Ginger-ale

Preparation: In a wide, shallow dish, mix zest and sugar together with your fingers. Wet the rim of 8 cocktail glasses with a wet paper towel, and then dredge in clementine sugar to coat. In a large pitcher, use a wooden spoon to muddle cranberry juice, cranberries and rosemary sprigs thoroughly. Fill pitcher with ice cubes. Top off with clementine juice, wine and tonic water or ginger ale. Stir vigorously; pour into glasses; garnish with clementine twists and serve.


Cranberry Clementine Cocktail

Cranberry Clementine Cocktail

Cranberry Clementine Cocktail

Courtesy of Two Tarts

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Clementine Juice, Freshly-squeezed
  • 2 oz. Cranberry Juice
  • 1 1/2 oz. Vodka
  • Sparkling Water to Taste

Preparation: Combine clementine juice, cranberry juice, and vodka in a shaker with ice. Shake till well chilled. Pour into glass filled with ice and top with your desired amount of sparkling water. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and serve.

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