Apples are tasty this time of year, but we’ve chomped through a bushel already and used another to make pies and pantry perks for winter. Oranges are slowly getting there, but those round globes need a month or more to reach their peak of ripeness. Blood oranges, though, are in season and uniquely delicious when mixed in a cocktail.
The blood orange Margarita at Bixby’s in the Missouri History Museum is a combination of Jose Cuervo Gold tequila, Gran Gala orange liqueur, lime juice and a blood orange purée made by Bixby’s chef de cuisine Todd Lough. We love the tartness of the drink and how well the tequila plays with the unique citrus flavor of the blood orange. Served in a collins glass just slightly rimmed with salt, plus a lime and blood orange garnish, this drink refreshes rather than overpowers. It’s a great way to start a fab lunch at Bixby’s with a perfect view of fall colors at Forest Park – and not a bad way to spend a Sunday.
This article appears in Nov 1-30, 2010.