Description
A refreshing cocktail with vodka, orange and lime juice, homemade ginger syrup, and Angostura bitters for a sweet, sour, and spicy flavor balance.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Fresh Orange Juice
- 0.75 oz Ginger Syrup (see ingredients below)
- 0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 2–3 Dashes Angostura Bitters
- Ice cubes
- Orange slice, for garnish
- Ginger candy, for garnish (optional)
- 1 cup Water
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup Fresh Ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
Instructions
- Making the Ginger Syrup:
- Combine Water and Sugar: In a medium saucepan, combine the water and granulated sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
- Add Ginger: Add the thinly sliced fresh ginger to the saucepan, ensuring it’s submerged.
- Bring to a Simmer: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer and Infuse: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 20-30 minutes, allowing the ginger flavor to infuse.
- Cool and Strain: Remove from heat and let cool completely (about an hour). Strain through a fine-mesh sieve (lined with cheesecloth if available) into a clean jar or container.
- Store: Store the ginger syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. Label with the date.
- Preparing the Orange Thunder Cocktail:
- Chill Your Glass: Chill your cocktail glass with ice and water or in the freezer.
- Add Ingredients to a Shaker: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add the vodka, fresh orange juice, ginger syrup, and fresh lime juice to the shaker.
- Add Angostura Bitters: Add 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters to the shaker.
- Shake Well: Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
- Strain into Glass: Remove the ice from your chilled cocktail glass. Strain the cocktail mixture from the shaker into the glass. Use a fine-mesh strainer if you want to remove any small ice shards.
- Garnish: Garnish with an orange slice and ginger candy (optional).
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately.
Notes
- Spice it Up: Add a small piece of fresh chili pepper to the shaker.
- Make it Bubbly: Top off with club soda or ginger ale.
- Use Different Citrus: Experiment with grapefruit juice or blood orange juice.
- Adjust Sweetness: Add more ginger syrup for a sweeter cocktail, or more lime juice for a tarter one.
- Non-Alcoholic Version: Replace the vodka with sparkling water or ginger beer.
- Ginger Beer Variation: Replace the ginger syrup and top with ginger beer.
- Muddle Ginger: Muddle a small piece of fresh ginger in the shaker.
- Infused Vodka: Use a ginger-infused vodka.
- Rim the Glass: Rim the glass with sugar or salt.
- Make a Batch: Multiply the ingredients and mix in a large pitcher.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes