Blood Orange Cosmopolitans (Or, How to Make the Most of the Winter that Never Ends!)

Children's birthday parties.  They are all kinds of fun and fabulous.  I absolutely adore kids and wish I'd had more.  I always say that kids are brilliant and we just get dumb as we get older. 

Friends' children (TWINS!) turned one not long ago and we were fortunate to be part of the festivities.  When I asked the lovely mother of the children "what can I bring?", she responded, as exhausted, working mothers of one year old twins do, "Alcohol.  Mommy needs a cocktail.".  Not one to disappoint - I did as I was told. 

Blood oranges are in season in the U.S. from December through March.  They are delicious and I'm always looking for ways to use them in the short time they're available.  Plus, with the brutal Polar Vortex laden, Mother Nature is being a bitch Winter we've had, I felt a little sunshine was necessary.  Here's the result:

Blood Orange Cosmopolitans

Ingredients:

3 parts orange flavored vodka
1 part Triple Sec
3 parts cranberry juice (100% is best, cocktail will work - you do as you do)
1 part orange juice (100% fresh, not from concentrate is best - you do as you do)
Juice of one blood orange (3 or 4 if you're making a pitcher)
Juice of one lime (3 or 4 if you're making a pitcher)

Combine all ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker.  Shake the H@LL out of it.  Serve cold in a chilled martini glass with a fruit garnish.

Guaranteed to cure scurvy, or mid winter blues, or provide fun to a party.  Friends were very kind at the party, drank them and asked for the recipe.  One of my "bonus nieces" asked that I make them for her upcoming birthday party, so I'm thinking it's a winner. 

Just doing my part to bring warmth to the Winter, People.