Vodka and orange juice is one of the easiest mixed drinks you can make. This drink, also known as a screwdriver, only has two ingredients and a refreshing orange juice flavor. It’s the perfect brunch cocktail, just like our classic mimosa, to sip for all occasions.
Packed with bright and citrusy flavor, oranges are the perfect fruit to add to vodka. Best known as a companion to vodka, orange juice tastes great with vodka and is a wonderful cocktail to serve for breakfast or brunch.
Also, check out all of our favorite vodka cocktail recipes and orange juice cocktails!
All About Orange Juice and Vodka
Made by extracting the juice of oranges, orange juice is a classic refrigerator staple. The drink can be made using any type of orange juice and is thus available in several varieties, including:
- Blood orange
- Navel orange
- Valencia orange
- Clementine
- Tangerine
Grown in warmer areas like California and Florida, oranges are packed with vitamins—most notably vitamin c. The sun-kissed growing process gives freshly squeezed orange juice a bright, energizing citrus flavor.
How to Make a Vodka Orange Juice
The full recipe and measurements are in the recipe card below.
Ingredients
Orange Juice – 100% orange juice, no sugar added.
Vodka – Good quality vodka, medium price range.
Tips and Tricks for Making a Screwdriver
- Use fresh-squeezed orange juice or a really good quality orange juice, no sugar added to make this cocktail.
- For the vodka, use a medium price range. Cheap vodka can really ruin a cocktail.
- If you want a chilled cocktail with a little froth, add the orange juice and the vodka into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 20 seconds, then strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
- Garnish the cocktail with a dried orange slice for a special touch.
- Add a little soda water to give it some fizz.
- Float a little Grenadine over the top to make a sunrise cocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several stories about how the screwdriver got its name. However, the one that sticks out is that American oil workers sneak vodka into their orange juice. Since they didn’t have a spoon to stir, they would mix the drink with a screwdriver.
If you’re looking for a health-conscious cocktail, a screwdriver may be the perfect pairing for you.
Vodka contains no sugar and contains fewer calories than most liquors, while freshly-squeezed orange juice naturally contains a plethora of vitamins and minerals like vitamin c, calcium, and iron—not to mention it tastes great! Orange juice also keeps you hydrated, effectively diluting the effects of the alcohol.
If you don’t have a juicer, you can still make a cocktail with freshly squeezed orange juice. To extract the juice from an orange, cut the orange into eight wedges and squeeze the juice out with your hands into a small bowl. Alternatively, you can cut an orange in half and twist the juice out with the tines of a fork. Firmly rolling the orange on the counter before squeezing will loosen the membranes inside and yield more juice.
Vodka is a low-calorie and zero-sugar spirit, making it one of the healthier options when drinking. Orange juice is a hydrating juice that is high in vitamin C and when freshly squeezed contains zero added sugar. These two ingredients make vodka orange juice a healthier cocktail, which many people enjoy.
When to Serve Vodka and Orange Juice Drink
This is a fun and easy drink to serve on many occasions. Here’s when to serve a screwdriver:
Brunch
More Orange Juice Cocktail Recipes
Looking for more cocktail recipes? Try our great cocktails to make at home and our vodka pineapple cocktail!
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Vodka and Orange Juice – Screwdriver
Ingredients
- 6 ounces orange juice
- 3 ounces vodka
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour the orange juice
- Pour the vodka over the top.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
Nutrition
