Blood and Sand Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/4/23
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Blood and Sand Cocktail

The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
159 Calories
0g Fat
11g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 159
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 20mg 99%
Calcium 14mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 80mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The Blood and Sand is one of the few scotch cocktails that should be considered a classic. The complete history is somewhat shaky, but it is accepted that it was inspired by the movie Blood and Sand. The original film was produced in 1922 (starring Rudolph Valentino) and was remade in 1941 (starring Tyrone Powers) and again in 1989 (with Sharon Stone).

The cocktail is a beautiful one with a touch of sweet citrus. Cherry liqueur is a great substitution for the brandy because it has a more natural cherry flavor than many of today's cherry brandies. Also, fresh-squeezed orange juice is definitely recommended.

"Sweet vermouth and orange juice can be cloying together. The scotch helps to cut this sensation; however, it dries out the palate. The cherry brandy saves the day with round sweetness. This recipe will give you the true identity of the Blood and Sand, you can decide if it lives up to its name." —Sean Johnson

Blood and Sand Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients,

    Blood and Sand Cocktail ingredients

    The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

  2. Pour the scotch, brandy, vermouth, and orange juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

    Pour the scotch, brandy, vermouth, and orange juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice

    The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

  3. Shake well.

    shake the cocktail shaker

    The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

    strain cocktail into a glass

    The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

  5. Garnish with an orange peel. Serve and enjoy.

    Blood and Sand Cocktail in a glass

    The Spruce / Mateja Kobescak

The Blood and Sand No. 2

Great cocktails inspire other great cocktails and the Blood and Sand is no different. Scotch whisky works well in cocktails and stands up to modern flavors. 


For a newer take on the Blood and Sand, use cherry liqueur for the cherry brandy and replace the orange with passion fruit. The sweet vermouth is swapped for a red-wine-based liqueur. It's very fun and a delight to drink.


Mixing the Blood and Sand No. 2 could not be easier. You will simply pour 1 ounce each of blended scotch whisky, passion fruit puree, cherry liqueur, and red wine liqueur. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Which Scotch Should You Choose?

Most whiskey drinkers prefer to mix blended scotches into their cocktails and this is often the best choice. Blended whiskeys tend to be a bit more affordable and the flavor more universal than many of the single malts.

How Strong Is the Blood and Sand?

Compared to other ​"up" cocktails like the Rob Roy, the Blood and Sand is mild. It has almost half the alcohol from the short pour of whiskey and the low- or no-alcohol mixers. No matter which Blood and Sand you choose to mix up, you're looking at a cocktail that's about 16 percent ABV (32 proof).