The Kirsty Files: My favorite cocktail dressed up for the holidays: Blood Orange Grapefruit French 75s.

Bookmark this one for next weekend. Or tomorrow. No judging. Let's get festive.

French 75's are my favorite cocktail. The bubbles, the slight tart, slight sweet. The gin. I like it because it's refreshing and not overly sweet, but still pleases the masses. And it's classic.

The addition of a rosey hued citrus makes this drink as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to drink, with the popularity of grapefruit right and the rich color of blood oranges, which are about to be in season, we couldn't resist the mixture.

Adding the zest, as well as the bitters, gives this drink a wonderful depth, a sophistication beyond our beloved Mimosa. Plus the zest is where the wonderful oils are hidden. a.k.a. good for you.

Blood Orange Grapefruit French 75 Recipe

1 blood orange
1 ruby red grapefruit
3/4 cup gin
1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 tsp angostura bitters
1 bottle chilled champagne or prosecco... any favorite sparkling wine.

Zest the blood orange, careful not to zest the white pith. Cut and peel the remaining white pith from the orange, so you just have the fruit. Chop. Add chunks and juice to a bowl. Repeat with 1/2 of the grapefruit, reserving the other half of the fruit for garnish, slicing into wedges. You could also use the blood orange for the garnish. Just do your thing.

Add sugar, gin and bitters to the bowl of fruit/zest/juice. Depending on the tartness of the citrus and your sweet tooth, add more or less of the sugar, between 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon is a good guide.

Let sit for a couple of hours, stir occasionally. Sugar should be dissolved. Strain and chill.

Fill 6 six glasses with champagne, add just about 2 tablespoons gin mixture to each. Just eyeball it. Garnish with grapefruit slice.

Variations. (Because this is just what my mind does, a blessing and a curse)
*Use all orange or grapefruit for this cocktail. I love the color that these citrus fruit create.
*Make a citrus sugar to line the rim of the glasses...maybe even send your guests home with a small jar as a party favor.
*Use a sparkling Rose for even better color.
*Non-Alcoholic version - I think Rhubarb Dry Soda would be perfection, or of course sparkling cider or sparkling water, and omit the gin.

Make it your own...a signature holiday cocktail.