I almost forgot about the Solstice among all the holiday hustle. The shortest day of the year.. and you know, Pacific Northwesterners really feel it. Sometimes it seems like I blink and the sun has set again. But despite that, I cherish short, rainy gray days. Cozy ensues, the haunted call of the Varied Thrush is back and citrus is here!
When citrus is in season I want to eat it every day. Citrus Ginger Mint Green Smoothie is on the daily now but experimenting with new ways to enjoy it is always a pleasure.
After work a few weeks ago, Rob and I met for pizza at one of our favorite spots on the Island. The first thing I spied was the cocktail menu. They always have a fresh selection of creative cocktails, so, you know, I had my fingers crossed for citrus something.
When I saw the Orange Drop, I knew I had to try it. It was if the Universe had been listening to my desires. Orange heaven (!!).
Fresh squeezed citrus is a must in this recipe. I use clementines, but cara cara or mandarins will be just as delicious.
Three ingredients, a snap to pull together and oh so luscious.
I’m taking a bit of time off over the holidays, but I’ll be back with something fresh after the new year… This is my final toast of the year to y’all. Wishing you beautiful, festive and peaceful holidays. Thank you for reading Vanilla And Bean and sharing your kitchen (and life) adventures!
Cheers, friends!
Orange Drop
Ingredients
- 2 oz Absolut Mandarin Vodka 53g
- 2 1/2 oz Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice mandarin or clementine75g
- 1/4 oz Simple Syrup or to taste 11g
- 1 Orange to make garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add the vodka, orange juice and simple syrup. Add a few handfuls of ice and shake 4-5 times. Pour into martini glass.
- To make the orange twist garnish, use a channel knife to cut a strip of orange out starting at the top of the orange and spiraling around, holding it over the drink so that the orange oil falls into the glass. Wrap the strip around a chopstick and hold for a moment. Drape over side of glass.
Recipe Notes
*To make simple syrup, in a small saucepan, add one part water to one part sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer until the sugar is dissolved. Pour into a lidded container and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Ooh, what a pretty cocktail Traci! Simple really is best, isn’t it? I love how this only has a couple of ingredients, yet it is still so special. I hope you had a wonderful holiday break, my friend! I saw on IG that you were on Kauai…I might have to email you because my hubby and I want to go there this May! I can’t wait to here about it and see some of your gorgeous photos. Xo!
Thank you, Julia! Indeed, simplicity at it’s best here! Our break was just divine.. and I’m slowly easing back into routine. I’d be happy to share about Kauai!! How exciting that you two are planning a trip.. it is our favorite! xo
WOW! Orange drop.. Why didn’t I think about that???!!
Oh my friend! you did it again. This looks and sounds so SO good.
Enjoy your time off. Happy new year!
Cheers!
Thank you Aysegul! It’s just lovely and I know you’d enjoy it. Happy New Year to you too my dear! xo
Ohh, this orange drop looks so good. A friend sends me a gift box selection from harry and david each year and they always include a citrus box – usually around February – so will definitely be trying this one out. Hope you had a wonderful holiday and new year, Traci!
What a fabulous gift, Geraldine! I’d love to receive a box of citrus! You’ll be all set to whip up this cocktail. Happy New Year to you too, Geraldine! :D
This speaks too me! Citrusy and refreshing ♥
summerdaisy.net
I hope you enjoy it, Summer! :D
I almost forgot about the solstice too! Someone mentioned how it was the shortest day of the year that day and I was like, How do you know that?? and then I realized it was the winter solstice, haha! I’ve been eating so many oranges lately so I am loving this drink! I bet it is so refreshing! I hope you and Rob had a great Christmas and I hope your New Year is off to an amazing start!!
It’s just great that the days are already getting longer.. it’s not pitch black at 4:00 anymore! Hooray! You’ll love this cocktail, Izzy. It’s quick and refreshing! Thank you Izzy and Happy New Year! :D
Merry Christmas Traci! Love this drink, so beautiful and delicious! Your photos are gorgeous as always !
Thank you Mira! I knew you’d appreciate this! From one cocktail lover to another! :D
Citrus season is my favorite! I say that about berry season, but really, citrus has my heart. I always wonder at how citrus brightens things during the winter months. This cocktail is gorgeous! I hope you have a lovely holiday break. So happy to have connected with you this year!! xo.
I love it too, Tessa. I think it and berry season rival each other for favorite! Thank you my dear! And I too. :D xo
Well, this drink certainly is calling my name, Traci!! You take the most beautiful photos and this drink sure is a stunner! That color is just gorgeous, and the flavors sound refreshingly delicious!! I love that you substituted clementines in this cocktail! SO good! Pinned, obviously. ;) I hope you and the hubster have a beautiful, VERY Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year, my dear friend! Sending lots of love and hugs your way! Cheers! Clink Clink. Xoxo
I knew it would, girrrl! Clink clink my friend! Oh yes, the orange is so lovely in this cocktail.. nothing to get in it’s vibrant way. I’d love to share one with you and have a looong chat! You too, have a restful holiday my friend… hugs and love xo !!
Sounds so simple and delicious! We will definitely be trying this! Love the photos and description! So thankful to have met you this year! Happy holidays to you and your family and enjoy the break!! Love, Adam and Ryan
Thank you Ryan and Adam! That’s the best part.. simple and whips up in no time. I’ve quadrupled this recipe with great results…. just be ready to do a lot of squeezin. So happy to have connected with you both as well! Y’all have a fabulous holiday!
Traci, this is absolutely gorgeous! I am loving all the citrus around right now, it certainly helps brighten up these grey days. As a fellow PNWer, I am feeling those grey days. I only moved to Seattle from Portland, but it seems like the days are even shorter up here! So glad that we got over the hump and are heading towards longer days! Have a Happy Holiday and enjoy your break!
The days are shorter here.. just a bit further North! Hooray for the Solstice, right? Enjoy my dear! :D
Traci that looks beyond amazing, sounds even better. Such gorgeousness my darling.
I love how light and fresh this sounds, so refreshing. This would be a wonderful additional for the holidays. You done an awesome job my dear.
Have a great holiday, MERRY CHRISTMAS !! You deserve a break and I am thankful to have met you this year.
Hugs.
xoxo
Thank you Asha! Merry Christmas to you too and cheers to you too! So happy to have connected! :D
These are beautiful! So bright, classy and elegant! LOVE it! Perfect for this festive time of year :) Thanks for sharing!
Oh thaaank you Cailee! The color is beautiful and brings sunshine on these grey days. I hope you enjoy it my dear! :D
Traci… our mandarin tree is bursting right now! so pretty to look at and even better to taste :) I’m a lightweight in the alcohol department but I appreciate the beauty of this cocktail ~ plus its bejeweled with citrus bling! wishing you a restful and merry holiday my friend, x.
I love it… ‘bejeweled with citrus bling’ :D ! Oh Kelly, really, the vodka is so mild. I’m a total lightweight too, so I just have one of these, although I’m sure I could slug down another if any were hanging out in the cocktail shaker! I love that you have a mandarin tree… I sooo wish I had some! You too my dear.. have a fabulous holiday and enjoy your family! xo
This looks heavenly! I can almost taste it! I feel you on the solstice… I also love the grey days, but it’ll be much appreciated when the sun stays out just a little bit longer! Happy Holidays, Tracy!
Heyyy Chelsea! Thank you my dear! You too!
Traci I love this so! I am everything citrus and all eyes on birds (are you spying some cool ones?) – I’ve been reveling in the Audubon channel, I just can’t get enough. I wish you the loveliest of holidays – much peace and relaxation, and all love. ♥
Hooray, Danielle! You love that Audubon channel.. it’s great, eh? Yess… the winter birds are so vibrant and bring such great pleasure. Peace and relaxation to you too my dear! xo
Oh Traci, this cocktail is tally elegant and sounds perfectly delicious! I’m also a huge citrus fan, so this cocktail will need to be created over the holidays at our house. My friend, Joey is the cocktail master, so I’ll be giving him the recipe to add to his list of delicious concoctions! Enjoy your time off, and I’ll be looking forward to your return to Vanilla and Bean in the new year! Cheers my friend!
Heey Mary Ann! I’d love to get Joey’s and your take on this one! I hope y’all enjoy it! xo
In the year since we “met,” I have spent many, many hours studying food photography. I still think yours is the best. This is so sophisticated, sexy, and warm! You totally rock, Traci! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, my cherished one!
Thank you Deb, for your sweetness and kind comments. Merry Christmas to you too my dear! Enjoy your family and all the beautiful snow! xo
This is drop dead gorgeous! So refreshing and festive. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and cheers to the new year!
Hi Jolena! Thank you and you too my dear! xo
This drink is just gorgeous, Traci! I love how simple it is. And I’ve been craving all of the citrus right now too. It certainly helps brighten these short dark days. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and best wishes for a happy new year! :)
Thank you Sarah! Oh yes… sometimes it’s the simplest of things that taste soo good. I devoured plenty of oranges while shooting this too. Just soo good right now! :D You too my dear!