Apparently the fruit sizes are small this year making them less desirable to the supermarkets. With a very hot January, the trees went into a survival mode and the fruit stopped growing, but I can vouch on the quality of their flavour. Size certainly isn't everything!
These are all blood oranges but as you can see the internal colouring does vary - in the four that I used, two had that intense blood orange colouring and two had mild veining. This didn't stop me from getting a vibrant coloured juice.
To make the cordial, sugar and water is adding to the juice and the mixture is reduced in a simmer to concentrate the flavour and create this glistening jewelled drop...
Blood Orange Cordial
250ml/1 cup blood orange juice (I used 4 oranges)
1 cup water
1 cup caster sugar
Place the water, blood orange juice and sugar into a saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Simmer for 10 minutes until it is reduced by about a third. This should take about 10 minutes.
Cool in the pan before straining into a bottle. Store in the fridge.
I like to use fizzy mineral water in the ratio of roughly 1 part cordial to 2 parts water, though this really is up to your own personal taste. Adding the syrup to gin or vodka wouldn't go astray either.
I love the colour and I'm sure it's very tasty.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing! I think that our blood oranges are probably all gone for the year, but I'll have to give this a try once they come back!
ReplyDeleteI have seen blood oranges a few times - i think we get them in fall or winter here. I will certainly keep my eyes peeled for them now.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brilynn - it's very refreshing
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellie - there are still blood oranges around I got these this week at prahran market
Sara - They are a lovely type of orange and if you can find them, well worth it.
Thanks Helen - blood orange juice is great just as it is.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering how much time is needed for the cordial to "come to flavor"?
Thanks Lighight - you can actually use it as soon as it's chilled.
ReplyDeletehey... i was looking for what to do with my oranges that were just about going bad!!! this came out very well... thanks!!! Veena
ReplyDeleteThanks Veena - happy to hear that!
ReplyDelete