Orange juice is an essential drink mixer, adding freshness,
sweetness, and juicy acidity to cocktails. It's a familiar flavor that everyone loves and feels at ease with. Here, we’ve rounded up 10 of the most
popular and well-known orange juice-based cocktails, from
sophisticated classics to fun ‘70s party drinks. You're sure to find something you'll love.
Just remember, freshly squeezed juice from quality oranges is always your best choice. While the
grocery stuff may work in a pinch, the truth is that most supermarket juice can’t
hold a candle to the pure, clean flavor of juice you squeeze at home.
10. Orange Blossom
This classic and well-balanced cocktail has a bit more
history than some of the others here; it’s believed to have been invented
during prohibition. This can be a brunch cocktail, but be careful—it contains
two forms of alcohol.
How to Make It:
1 oz sweet vermouth
1 oz gin
1 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
Shake in a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice and strain
into a martini or highball glass.
9. Orange Crush
This cocktail got its start in the beach town of Ocean City,
Maryland, and now has something of a cult following in that area and beyond.
Though the recipe sounds simple, devotees swear there’s something irresistible
about it. Fresh orange juice is 100% necessary to this drink! That’s the “crush”
in the name.
How to Make It:
- 2 oz orange vodka
- 2 oz triple sec, Grand Marnier, or Cointreau
- Juice of one orange
- Lemon-lime soda
Mix vodka and triple sec in a pint glass filled with ice.
Add fresh juice and top with soda.
8. Madras
This simple twist on the screwdriver adds cranberry juice
for more complexity and interest. The drink dates back to the '50s and is popular
in Boston. For a variation, sub in rum for vodka—that’s a Corsair.
Some history: Madras is a city in India, now known as
Chennai, celebrated for its production of lightweight plaid fabrics in bright
colors. The drink gets its name from the contrast of bright colors.
How to Make It:
- 1 ½ oz vodka
- 3 oz cranberry juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
Pour orange juice into an ice-filled highball glass. Add vodka.
Slowly drizzle in cranberry juice. Garnish with lime wedge or cherry.
7. Painkiller
Ever had a pina colada? A painkiller is a citrus twist on that tropical classic. Invented in the Virgin Islands in the '70s, this tasty tiki treat is arguably even tastier than its better-known sibling. Don’t leave off the nutmeg garnish.
How to Make It:
- 2 oz dark rum
- 1 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz cream of coconut (don’t substitute coconut milk)
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice; strain into
a large glass, over ice if desired. Top with freshly grated nutmeg,
6. Alabama Slammer
A throwback from the 1980s, this fruity drink is made with
various liqueurs and orange juice and is a popular tailgate drink in the South,
especially at University of Alabama football games. To improve the quality of
your Slammer, look for a higher-end sloe gin made with natural fruit (some of
the cheap ones may remind you of cough syrup).
How to Make It:
- 1 oz Southern Comfort or bourbon
- 1 oz Amaretto
- 1 oz sloe gin
- 2-3 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake.
Strain into a highball glass over ice and garnish with an orange wedge.
5. Sex on the Beach
This drink was born in the '80s when “naughty” names for
cocktails were popular. According to legend, it was invented by a savvy bartender
to sell peach schnapps. Some variations include pineapple juice as well as
orange juice.
How to Make It:
- 1 ½ oz vodka
- 1 oz peach schnapps
- 2-3 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2-3 oz cranberry juice
Combine all ingredients in a highball glass, pint glass or
other large glass filled with ice.
4. Fuzzy Navel
This one also hails from the ‘80s and was a classic club
drink of that era. It’s a bit unusual in that we actually know the name of the
person who invented it—Ray Foley, a famous bartender, who went on to aggressively
market the drink around the county. Rap fans may know it by its other name, the
Cold Medina. For a variation, add some lemon juice or champagne.
How to Make It:
- 3 oz peach schnapps
- 3 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
Mix schnapps and orange juice in a highball glass with ice.
3. Tequila Sunrise
Popular in the 1970s, the tequila sunrise really does look
like a sunrise in a glass. The Rolling Stones were famously fond of this drink,
and of course the Eagles wrote a song named after it. To mix it up, sub in Southern
Comfort for the tequila (a “Southern sunrise”) or blackberry brandy for the grenadine
(a “tequila sunset”).
How to Make It
- 2 oz tequila
- 4 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¼ oz grenadine
Mix tequila and OJ in a highball glass with ice. Slowly pour
syrup down the side of the glass; it will settle in the bottom for the sunrise
effect. If desired, garnish with orange slice and cherry.
2. Mimosa
The classic “festive brunch” cocktail that’s been used to
sell plenty of waffles and eggs, this sweet sparkler can be delicious, or not
so great. Using dry sparkling wine and a fresh juice, mixing to order, and
keeping both ingredients very cold will make for a spritely Mimosa. Upgrade
your mimosa with a splash of St. Germain or with fresh
tangerine juice.
How to Make It
- Mix equal parts freshly squeezed orange juice and sparkling white wine in a
champagne flute; serve cold. (Note: some prefer 2:1 wine and OJ)
1. Screwdriver
Almost everyone who’s ever had an orange juice cocktail has
had a screwdriver. As with all of these juice-based drinks, the quality of your
juice matters a lot. To change it up, try varying the juicing oranges in your
screwdriver and “taste testing.” You can also try a flavored vodka, such as
vanilla.
How to Make It
- 1 ½ oz vodka
- Freshly squeezed orange juice to top, about 4-5 ounces
Pour vodka into an ice-filled highball glass and top with
juice. That’s it!
We hope you'll like trying out these orange juice-based cocktails. When made with fresh juice, they can even make your nighttime indulgence high in vitamin C! Enjoy.