Blood and Sand

 Stayed in a place right on the beach this vacation. Nice thing about it other than being able to open up the glass doors to the patio and seeing the WAVES. It had a great pool and an awesome bar.
During the day I did the typical Island rum drinks. But at night I was thirsty for something more.
Part of this Inn was built in the late 1800's. One of the first places on the Beach in South West Florida where people could could stay. It is known as one of the best shelling beaches in the world. Due to the island being 70 percent natural reserves. It hasn't been built up with Condo's, flashy restaurants, car lots or fast food joints.

I was in the mood for a classic drink. Scotch.  The bartender looked me up and down and said.
BLOOD and SAND for you Sir.   All I can say is Im hooked. Its cherry-orange-spice burn smooth. Its a bit like blood - a bit like sand. Every day is Halloween. Even in the Summer on the beach.

The Blood and Sand Cocktail

1 oz scotch (blended or single-malt is fine)
1 oz. fresh blood orange juice
3/4 oz. cherry heering
3/4 oz. sweet vermouth
orange peel or maraschino cherry to garnish
Place ice in a cocktail shaker. Pour in the scotch, fresh blood orange juice, cherry herring and sweet vermouth. Shake until chilled. Pour into an old-fashioned cocktail glass, then garnish with a wedge of orange peel or a maraschino cherry.