Bocce Ball

The Bocce Ball cocktail is a bit of an extension on the Screwdriver, which is just a simple combination of Vodka and Orange Juice. The Bocce Ball, however, adds Amaretto and Soda Water to the mix giving it a bit of a nutty flavour and a different mouth feel. The nut elements of the Amaretto go surprisingly well in this cocktail and generally sweeten up the Orange Juice in a nice way. And of course the Vodka doesn't add much by way of flavour but does strengthen the drink up a good deal.

Although there are much simpler cocktail recipes out there, at only four ingredients, this cocktail is pretty simple. It's also built in the glass so you don't need much by way of cocktail making equipment. No shaker, no mixing glass. Just a glass with some ice and you're good to make the Bocce Ball cocktail!

Total Time 3

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

45 mL Vodka
15 mL Amaretto
150 mL Orange Juice
Soda Water splash to top up
Garnish with a slice of Orange

Instructions

Add Vodka, Amaretto, and Orange Juice to a Collins glass filled with plenty of ice.
Stir slightly to make sure things are mixed.
Top up with a splash of Soda Water.
Garnish and serve.

Notes

If you like simple Orange Juice based cocktails, this one is definitely for you. Orange Juice is a pretty common element in cocktail recipes, although perhaps not as common as Lemon or Lime Juice, it adds both a nice sour aspect to the drink while also adding a little bit of sweetness. Nothing in a good Orange Juice is overpowered. It's a well balanced juice!

That being said, make sure you use a decent quality and fresh squeezed Orange Juice for this cocktail. Other than the Amaretto, the Orange Juice is the main flavour you'll be tasting here. You want to make sure it tastes good!

We Have More to Say on the Bocce Ball

The Bocce Ball cocktail’s name obviously comes from the sport of Bocce. Bocce is an Italian sport that involves throwing balls so that they fall as close as possible to a pin. Closest person wins.

And the name of the cocktail works here. While Orange Juice and Vodka aren’t the most Italian of ingredients, the Amaretto definitely is. So perhaps this is where they got the name for this cocktail.

But of course, what’s in a name? Try this cocktail and find out whether it’s right for you.

Can I make this cocktail as a bigger batch?

The Bocce Ball Cocktail scales up quite well. Since it’s built in the glass, all you need is a larger receptacle, like a jug, to make it in.

If you’re planning on making a larger batch of the Bocce Ball Cocktail to serve right away, feel free to make up your batch with ice in it or make it without ice and put ice in the glass, up to you. If you’re planning on making a batch of this cocktail to serve later, make it without ice so that it doesn’t melt and dilute the drink.

Can I make the Bocce Ball Cocktail and store it for later

Whether you’re making a single serving of this cocktail or a batch for later, it will still work out. As mentioned though, don’t add the ice until you’re ready to serve. This is the same with the Soda Water, as you don’t want it to lose its bubbles.

What’s the best time for a Bocce Ball cocktail?

Well, sipping on one of these while playing Bocce comes to mind. Although there are dedicated Bocce courts, it’s also a fun sport to play in the Spring or Summer while lounging in a park or the back yard, and this is a great time to enjoy a Bocce Ball cocktail.

All in all, the Bocce Ball cocktail doesn’t really lend itself to something to drink while eating, but could be a nice beverage as a dessert. However, we will see it as an afternoon drink.

Is the Bocce Ball a strong cocktail?

45 mL of Vodka isn’t anything to take lightly, and this cocktail becomes full strength thanks to the additional 15 mL of Amaretto. This all puts things in line (just about) with this cocktail’s cousin the Screwdriver and even the Mexican twist of the same, the Horny Bull.

So it’s not an overly strong cocktail, nor is it a light cocktail. Be careful though, because it still has plenty of booze in it!

What’s the best kind of music to pair with a Bocce Ball?

Given the Italian name of this cocktail we’re going to suggest Italian music or even old Crooner music like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Just set up the Bocce set in your garden and play some nice relaxing music like this, get a cocktail in your hand and you’re in for a nice afternoon!

All in all, this is a wonderful cocktail simply for relaxing and wasting the day away while spending time with friends and family. We hope you like it as much as we do!