Nothing beats the tart, citrusy refreshment that orange juice brings to a cocktail. And the beautiful orange hue definitely catches the eye. No wonder the beloved OJ gels so well with almost every base alcohol. Whether you’re a tequila gal or a rum-loving sailor, orange juice blends seamlessly across drinks. From the famous mimosa to the classic screwdriver, orange juice has shown its versatility in drinks. So, here are some of the most delicious orange juice cocktails to brighten and zing up any occasion!
7 Orange Juice Cocktails For Every Occasion
- Ward 8
- Orange Blossom
- Sex On The Beach
- Tequila Sunrise
- Blood And Sand Cocktail
- Mimosa
- Screwdriver
1. Ward 8
A classic that often flies under the radar, Ward 8 is a riff on the Whiskey Sour. Featuring rye whiskey, orange juice, lemon juice, and grenadine, Ward 8 is a drink which’ll ward your sorrows away! The cocktail’s flavor profile is quite neat, with a hint of spice from the rye whiskey, the tarty sweetness from the OJ, and the pomegranate zing from the grenadine. And let’s not forget, the eye-catching orangish red hue from the red grenadine and orange juice, this classic is a banger!
Its name comes from the Ward 8 district of Boston, Massachusetts when the cocktail was created to celebrate Martin Lomasnay’s election to the state legislature. It was the votes from the Ward 8 district that helped him win the election. Now there’s a little nugget of history for you to chew on.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of rye whiskey
- ½ ounce of freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons of red grenadine
- 2 or 3 speared cherries for garnish
How To Make Ward 8
- In a shaker, add rye whiskey, orange juice, lemon juice, grenadine, and ice, and shake well until the drink is chilled.
- Strain the drink into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with the speared cherries and voila your Ward 8 is ready!
Also Read: 7 Best Classic Whiskey Cocktail Recipes
2. Orange Blossom
A hit from the 1920s and 30s, Orange Blossom’s birth was quite a scandal! During the Prohibition days, to mask the flavor of gin and other illicitly made spirits, liquors were mixed with juices or wines. And that’s how Orange Blossom came to be. The cocktail is an interesting combination of gin, sweet vermouth, and orange juice, giving you a blossom experience. Plus, this concoction makes for a solid brunch cocktail.
These days, the dainty cocktail is a symbol of eternal love, fertility, and good luck, mainly used to toast at weddings. But its evergreen charm, both in taste and looks makes this cocktail perfect for just about any occasion worth celebrating!
Ingredients
- 1 ounce of gin
- 1 ounce of sweet vermouth
- 1 ounce of freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 orange wedge for garnish
How To Make Orange Blossom
- To a shaker add the gin, sweet vermouth, orange juice, and ice. Shake well until the cocktail is chilled.
- Strain the drink in a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with an orange wedge and your Orange Blossom is ready to be served. Cheers!
3. Sex On The Beach
A super famous drink, Sex on the Beach is known for its provocative name and fruity, refreshing taste. It’s a classic that fits perfectly with the tropical beach vibe. While its origin is unclear, many believe that the cocktail may have come into existence when a bartender combined a Fuzzy Navel (peach schnapps and orange juice) and a Cape Codder (vodka and cranberry juice). Talk about a happy accident!
Popular in the 1980s and 1990s, this cocktail is still a great hit among vacationers and beach shacks. It’s super easy to make, so the next time you’re hosting a cocktail party try serving Sex on the Beach! It’ll leave your guests more than just satisfied.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounce of vodka
- ½ ounce of peach schnapps or peach syrup
- 1 ½ ounce of freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 ½ ounce of cranberry juice
- ½ ounce of Chambord or creme de cassis (optional)
- A cocktail umbrella for garnish
How To Make Sex On The Beach
- Add the vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, cranberry juice, Chambord (if using), and ice to a shaker and shake well until the drink is chilled.
- In a highball glass add ice and strain the drink into the glass.
- Garnish with a cocktail umbrella and there you have your Sex on the Beach!
Also Read: 5 Classic Cocktails And The Stories Behind Their Names
4. Tequila Sunrise
One of the best colorful cocktails, the Tequila Sunrise is bright, vibrant, and layered with the colors of the sunrise. With only three ingredients, a Tequila Sunrise is refreshingly sweet with just a hint of tequila and is quite a dramatic drink. The construction of the drink needs to be precise if you’re trying to achieve the vibrant striations. First, the tequila, then orange juice, and finally the grenadine is poured to create that red-to-yellow sunrise hue.
You’d expect that something so beautiful will need quite some work to make. But surprise surprise, the cocktail is a simple and quick-fix drink as it doesn’t need shaking or stirring! Created in the early 1970s in California, the drink hit popularity when a member of the famous band – The Rolling Stones, kicked off their 1972 tour with it.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of Blanco Tequila
- 4 ounces of freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¼ ounce of grenadine
- 1 orange slice and cherry for garnish.
How To Make Tequila Sunrise
- In a chilled highball glass, add ice. Now, add the tequila and then the orange juice.
- Top the drink with the grenadine. Because of the grenadine’s high density, it will sink to the bottom of the glass, creating the desired layered effect.
- Finally, garnish with an orange slice and a cherry. Cheers!
Also Read: 7 Best Tequila Cocktails You Don’t Want To Miss
5. Blood And Sand Cocktail
Another classic cocktail with orange juice is the Blood and Sand! It’s believed that the cocktail’s origin story comes from the 1922 movie “Blood and Sand”, though the history of the drink is a bit shaky. This classic scotch cocktail is a blend of complex flavors, thanks to the addition of cherry liqueur and orange juice. The sweet vermouth and OJ blend well together but can get a tad too sweet. That’s when the scotch cuts through with its spicy and smooth flavor. One sip of this cocktail and it’s a party in your mouth!
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce of scotch
- ¾ ounce of sweet vermouth
- ¾ ounces of cherry liqueur
- ¾ ounce of freshly squeezed orange juice
- Orange peel for garnish
How To Make Blood And Sand Cocktail
- In a shaker, add the scotch, sweet vermouth, cherry liqueur, orange juice, and ice. Shake vigorously until the drink has chilled.
- Strain the drink in a chilled coupe or a cocktail glass.
- Garnish the drink with an orange peel, and your Blood and Sand cocktail is ready!
6. Classic Mimosa
We cannot complete this list without two of the most popular orange juice cocktails, one of which is the Classic Mimosa. Arguably one of the best brunch cocktails, Mimosas are enjoyed across the globe before the clock strikes noon. Created in 1925, the drink’s orangish yellow hue is similar to a yellow flowering plant of the same name.
It’s quite easy to see why the drink became such a sensation. Its citrusy notes and the refreshing bubbly champagne makes it a light and bright drink. And with only two ingredients, the drink is fairly easy to concoct without going off the rails! Be careful with the orange juice though. A perfect Mimosa is a good balance of sparkling wine and OJ, without one overpowering the other.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of freshly squeezed orange juice
- Chilled sparkling wine or champagne to top
How To Make Classic Mimosa
- Pour the orange juice into a champagne flute.
- Top it with sparkling wine or champagne and voila your brunch-time Mimosa is ready!
Also Read: 8 Best Champagne Cocktails For A Cocktail Party
7. Screwdriver
Our final cocktail on this list is the classic of all time, the Screwdriver. This two-ingredient cocktail is ideal for afternoon drinks and brunches. Although many believe the drink was made popular by American oil workers in the Persian Gulf, the cocktail’s history is debatable. They would secretly add orange juice to their vodka and stirred the drink with a screwdriver due to the unavailability of a spoon. Hence, the name of the drink.
Though its origin is questionable, the cocktail’s simplicity and easy-to-fix nature make it a beloved and popular drink even today. And if you love hosting cocktail parties, then this two-ingredient cocktail is the perfect drink to add to your cocktail menu.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounce vodka
- Freshly squeezed orange juice to top
How To Make A Screwdriver
- Fill a chilled highball glass with ice.
- Add vodka and then top the drink with orange juice and your classic Screwdriver is ready to be served!
Also Read: 8 Best Vodka Mixers
Summing Up
Orange juice is a versatile cocktail mixer and gels well with just about any spirit. And if you shy away from hard liquors like whiskey and rum, then OJ is the perfect partner to cut through the burning alcohol and add its own refreshing twist to the drink. So whatever may be the occasion, whip up these easy and delectable orange juice cocktails and enjoy!
FAQs
What Alcohol Mixes Well With Orange Juice?
Orange juice pairs well with almost every type of alcohol, from tequila to rum to champagne. It is a versatile cocktail mixer and can be used with just about any spirit you have.
What Is The Cocktail With Vodka And Orange Juice?
A Screwdriver is a classic, two-ingredient cocktail and is made of vodka and orange juice. It is pretty simple to make and quite popular even today.
Why Is The Cocktail Called Ward 8?
The cocktail gets its name from the district in which it was created. The drink originated from the Ward 8 district of Boston in celebration of Martin Lomasnay’s election to the state legislature.
What Cocktails Use Orange Flower Water?
Orange flower water is a distillate of orange flowers and it is used to make cocktails like Blond Adonis, Sunset in the Garden, Ramos Gin Fizz, and Mid-Morning Fizz.
What Does Sex On The Beach Cocktail Taste Like?
Sex on the Beach cocktail features vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice. The drink has a fruity taste with just enough tartness to keep it from being overly sweet and has a slight buzz of vodka underneath.
What Tequila Is Best For Tequila Sunrise?
Silver Tequila, Anejo Tequila, and Reposado Tequila all work great for Tequila Sunrises. 100% agave tequilas are the best for this cocktail.
What Does A Mimosa Taste Like?
A mimosa is crisp, light, bubbly wine with a sweet citrus finish. The drink tastes more like a fizzy fruit punch. The perfect mimosa has a 1:1 ratio of sparkling wine or champagne and orange juice.
