Matchbook Distilling Elsewhere Blood Orange Aperitif
Matchbook Distilling Elsewhere Blood Orange Aperitif is a bittersweet blood orange aperitivo liqueur from Matchbook Distilling Co. in Greenport, on the North Fork of Long Island, New York. Whole blood oranges — peels and pulp left over from pressing juice for eau de vie — are macerated in a neutral spirit made from certified organic New York corn, then rested on pink peppercorn, cloud forest cardamom, quassia, Pemba cloves, gentian, Indian cinnamon bark and wild cherry bark, with a touch of sugar to tie it together. Matchbook's own shop classifies it simply as a liqueur, and its label reads "Blood Orange Aperitivo" — we shelve it with our aperitif liqueurs. Bottled at 30% ABV in a 750mL bottle.
- Style: Blood orange aperitivo / bitter liqueur
- ABV: 30%
- Size: 750mL
- Producer: Matchbook Distilling Co., Greenport, New York
- Region: Long Island, New York, USA
- Botanicals: Blood orange peel and pulp, pink peppercorn, cardamom, quassia, cloves, gentian, cinnamon bark, wild cherry bark
Elsewhere: A Spirit Meant to Transport
There is something sacred about the blood orange: its crimson shades come from anthocyanins — the pigments prized in red wine grapes — which occur in almost no other citrus, and give the fruit its raspberry-and-hibiscus depth. Matchbook refused to waste any of it. The juice went to eau de vie; the peels and pulp went into two macro bins of their Finger Lakes corn spirit, where the sugars, oils and aromatics dissolved over a few weeks of daily tasting. Botanicals followed for about two more weeks before filtration and a touch of sugar. The result is the flagship of Matchbook's Elsewhere line — compare it with the rest of our amaro & bitters shelf and the distillery's Matchbook Distilling Eldest Daughter Vermouth.
Tasting Notes
Vibrant, bittersweet blood orange — juicy fruit and bitter peel in equal measure — with warm cardamom and cinnamon spice, pink peppercorn brightness, and enough gentian and quassia grip to hold its own in spirit-forward cocktails. Bright and zesty, with a ruby depth underneath.
How to Enjoy
Matchbook's suggested serve is on the rocks with a splash of soda. It is built for spritzes and Negroni riffs, works as the orange component in a Margarita, and anchors Matchbook's own Rather Be Elsewhere (bourbon, mango-chile liqueur and Elsewhere, stirred with an orange twist). Find more aperitif components in our spirits range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elsewhere Blood Orange an amaro or an aperitif?
Matchbook labels it an aperitivo and classifies it as a liqueur; it is bittersweet like an amaro but brighter and more citrus-led, made for aperitif serves and spritzes.
Where is it made?
At Matchbook Distilling Co. in Greenport, New York, from blood oranges and certified organic corn grown by Thor Oechsner in the Finger Lakes.
How strong is it?
30% ABV, in a 750mL bottle.
Matchbook Distilling Elsewhere Blood Orange Aperitif is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.