Valencia Cocktails Twist A Tale Of Oranges and Origins
The Agua de Valencia drink calls for Spanish Cava, a sparkling wine which can’t be called Champagne because its produced outside of that region in France and the Valencia martini calls for a fortified wine which can only be called sherry if produced in that region of Spain. Finally, the Valencia orange is named for the city in Spain but was actually hybridized in Santa Ana, California and its successful production in that region along with efforts to promote a semi-tropical paradise to encourage immigration led to the naming of Orange County near Los Angeles which was officially incorporated on August 1, 1889.
Hmmm. Let’s try to sort that out over a snort.
Behind The Bar – How To Make Valencia Drink Recipes At Home
Agua de Valencia (Valencian Water):
- 6 oz orange juice
- 1 ½ oz gin
- 1 ½ oz vodka
- 25 oz Cava (Spanish sparkling wine)
- pinch sugar
Batch recipe for parties prepared in and served from a pitcher which starts with a standard 750ml bottle of Cava sparkling wine (or champagne if unavailable). Add freshly squeezed orange juice along with the gin and vodka. Stir in sugar to taste and refrigerate before serving or use a cold cavity pitcher.
Valencia Cocktail Recipe #1:
- 2 oz apricot brandy
- 1 oz orange juice, fresh squeezed
- 4 dashes orange bitters
- orange twist for garnish
Measure the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with an orange twist or wedge.
Valencia Champagne Cocktail Recipe #2 (Valencia Royale):
- 2 oz apricot brandy
- 1 oz orange juice
- 4 dashes orange bitters
- 2 - 3 oz champagne
- orange twist for garnish
Prepare a Valencia cocktail #1 drink recipe and strain into a chilled flute. Top off with champagne and garnish with orange.
Valencia Martini (Spanish Martini):
- 2 ½ oz gin
- ½ oz fino sherry
- twist of orange for garnish
A Spanish version of the dry martini which substitutes the type of fortified wine used, fino sherry for vermouth. As with classic Martinis, some recipes also call for vodka instead of gin (which makes the drink something other than classic .. not going there). Stir the ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled vee glass. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.
Need More Cocktail Recipes Using Oranges?
These same ingredients will allow you to mix up Screwdrivers and Buck’s Fizzes for breakfast as well. Plus, stock your bar with some orange liqueur and you can also serve Mimosas at home for Sunday brunch too.
