Blood Orange French 75

Name: Blood Orange French 75
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 3 blood oranges (about 1 pound); 1 1 1/2 cups gin; 1 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoon angostura bitters; 1 2 750-ml bottles chilled Champagne

From the kitchen of Carly

Blood orange brightens classic French 75 elegance with tart-sweet citrus depth. Gin and mashed fruit meld into silky base, topped with Champagne's effervescence. Four hours ahead pays off in this show-stopping cocktail for a crowd.

Prep: n/a
Cook: n/a
Total: n/a
Servings: 4
Difficulty: medium

Ingredients

4 servings

13 blood oranges (about 1 pound)
11 1/2 cups gin
12 tablespoons sugar
11/2 teaspoon angostura bitters
12 750-ml bottles chilled Champagne

Instructions

Cut 1 orange in half through stem. Cut each orange half crosswise into 6 slices; reserve for garnish. Using small knife, cut peel and white pith from remaining 2 oranges; chop oranges. Transfer chopped oranges with juices to bowl; mash with potato masher or wooden spoon. Stir in gin, sugar, and bitters. Strain into 2-cup measuring cup, pressing on solids to release liquid. Chill 4 hours.
Pour scant 2 tablespoons gin mixture into each of 12 glasses; fill with Champagne and garnish with orange.