Blood and Sand

Blood and Sand was a silent film released in 1922, starring Rudolph Valentino, Lila Lee and Nita Naldi.  The hero is a matador and there’s a love triangle.  Olé! 

It was based on the 1909 Spanish novel Sangre y arena by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez.  Ibáñez shot a version himself in 1916 and others were made in 1941 and 1991.

Xena: The Warrior Princess’s new series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” is not related. 

What I’m excited about is the cocktail that was inspired by the 1922 version. 

This is yet another goodie I found in my Ted Haigh book.  Coincidentally, I recieved sample bottles of the Finger Lakes Distilling cherry liqueur today.  For all of you bartenders out there using Cherry Heering, you gotta try this!

Scotch cocktails should be more popular.  Sure, everyone knows the Rusty Nail (Scotch, Drambuie) and the Rob Roy (a Manhattan using Scotch instead of rye or bourbon), but people assume if they’re not Scotch drinkers, they won’t like Scotch cocktails.

You could use this one to prove them wrong.

1 oz. Scotch (I used Dewar's), 1 oz. orange juice, 3/4 oz. cherry liqueur (I used Finger Lakes Distilling), 3/4 oz. sweet vermouth (I used Dolin). Combine all ingredients over ice, shake and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a cherry.

I poured it for two regulars sitting at the bar.  One commented, “it’s nice and tart”.  The other said, “I don’t usually drink cocktails, but I could drink this.  I’m picturing myself in a Hawaiian shirt, with no shoes on, sitting on the beach.”

My work here is done.