By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 2
49 cal · 5 min
Thai Basil Blood-Orange Martini
Recipe GLPR156e4c4c898e9e
A sophisticated cocktail blending the bright citrus of blood oranges and lime with the distinctive anise-like notes of fresh Thai basil. Vodka and triple sec create a smooth, balanced base that lets the herbal and fruity flavors shine through. Serve chilled for an elegant and refreshing drink.
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Ingredients
1 big handful Thai basil leaves and stems
4 oz vodka
1 oz triple sec
2 fruits fresh blood orange juice from 2 blood oranges
1 fruit fresh lime juice from 1 lime
Directions
Gently muddle the Thai basil leaves and stems in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, pressing just enough to release the aromatic oils without shredding the leaves.
Add the vodka and triple sec to the shaker with the muddled basil.
Pour the fresh blood orange juice and lime juice into the shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds until well chilled and combined.
Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into two chilled martini glasses, dividing equally between the glasses.
Garnish each glass with a small sprig of fresh Thai basil or a thin blood orange wheel and serve immediately.
Comments
Thai basil is not stocked at major Charlotte chains and requires a trip to an Asian grocery like Lotte or H Mart—a meaningful detour for a weeknight cocktail. The spirit and citrus costs run roughly $3 to $4 per drink once you factor in vodka and triple sec, which is steep for a two-serving home cocktail. The five-minute claim is honest for mixing, but only if you already have fresh blood orange juice on hand; juicing from whole fruit adds ten minutes and the fruit itself is seasonal and inconsistent in winter. The drink works as stated for two people sharing a single occasion, but the ingredient hassle and per-drink cost make it a special-occasion choice rather than casual entertaining.
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