Spiced Orange Negroni

Always a staple for holiday decoration, pomanders can be found in almost any house. Not only are they pretty, they smell great as well. They can also be very useful. This recipes uses them to get that lovely spiced orange flavor into vodka – not to mention they will make your house very inviting as the smell permeates your house while they roast in the oven.

Spiced Orange Negroni

The Drink:

• ¾ ounce Carpano Antica
• ½ ounce Campari
• 3 ounces orange-infused vodka*

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange slice. You can also do this on the rocks with a splash of soda to lighten it up.

*Orange-infused vodka:

• 4 navel oranges that have been studded with cloves
• 8 blood oranges 
• 1 liter vodka

Take four of the blood oranges and slice them thinly. Dry them out for two days in a food dehydrator, or place them in an oven overnight with the oven set to 150°F.

Place the dried blood oranges in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Make sure the container can hold 2 liters. Add the vodka. Juice the remaining four blood oranges, saving the rinds. Add the juice and rinds to the container with the vodka.

In an oven set to 350°F, place the four clove-studded navel oranges and bake for 35 minutes. After baking, add the oranges to the vodka while they are still hot. Cover tightly and allow to sit for two days.

– Andrew Noye, Blackberry Farm Beverage Manager and Mixologist