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
How to Make It:
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
