12 Zesty Orange Juice Cocktails for Every Occasion

If you’re one who loves drinks made with orange juice, then we’ve got fantastic news for you. Our orange juice cocktails are real crowd pleasers, and great for enjoying all year round.

1. Mimosa

A Mimosa is a perfect beginner’s cocktail as it is impossible to get wrong. Enjoy this refreshing drink at brunch – it pairs well with all things breakfast, from eggs and avo to fiery shakshuka. The Mimosa recipe is one of the simplest drinks made with orange juice: it’s a 50/50 mix of just 2 ingredients, bubbly Champagne and fresh, zesty orange juice. Switch up the ratios and add more OJ if you prefer a lower-alcohol drink.

2. Screwdriver

With a name like Screwdriver, one imagines something rather intimidating in the orange juice alcoholic drinks department but don’t be scared off — it’s said to have gotten its name some years ago from folks using a screwdriver to stir it up rather than a spoon.

This International Bartenders Association (IBA) official cocktail is similar to the Garibaldi, but it mixes vodka (opens in new window) instead of Campari with OJ for another super-easy 2 ingredient cocktail. Just promise us you’ll avoid mixing it with a rusty screwdriver! It’s one of our easy summer cocktails, but if you’re feeling adventurous see our article on how to smoke cocktails and take your Screwdriver to another dimension!

SKYY Vodka (opens in new window) works well in a Screwdriver cocktail because its clean, neutral flavor blends effortlessly with the brightness of orange juice. It keeps the drink smooth and balanced, letting the simplicity of the classic cocktail shine. A straightforward choice for anyone looking to enjoy this timeless combination.

3. Tequila Sunrise

The Tequila Sunrise is another of the classic drinks made with orange juice and this beachy cocktail layers just like a glorious sunrise, giving it all the photogenic appeal. It combines orange juice with grenadine and tequila for a bright, citrusy taste. The sweet syrupy grenadine mixes deliciously with the tangy orange juice for an easy fresh and fruity drink you’ll want to make again and again. Garnished in retro style with a Maraschino cherry, it’s no surprise this cocktail was all the rage in the 70s.

4. Tequila Sunset

The Tequila Sunset is very similar to the Tequila Sunrise except it has a deep red tint from the addition of blackberry brandy instead of grenadine. The Tequila Sunset is not as sweet as the Sunrise but it’s still super tasty with all the fruity tanginess you’d expect.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Espolon Tequila Blanco (opens in new window)

• 4 oz Orange juice

• 0.5 oz Blackberry brandy

• Orange slice (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a tall glass with ice

2. Pour in tequila and orange juice and stir gently

3. Slowly pour blackberry brandy over the back of a spoon so it settles at the bottom

4. Garnish with an orange slice and serve

5. Orange Margarita

As you can imagine, it didn’t take long before the classic Margarita evolved into a cocktail with orange juice, especially for those who prefer a sweeter sip over the tart limey OG Margarita. This bright and vibrant cocktail is a super zesty, tangy drink that’s one of the best fruity cocktails for your balmy backyard cookouts.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Tequila

• 1 oz Campari (opens in new window)

• 1 oz Lime juice (fresh)

• 1 oz Orange juice (fresh)

• 0.5 oz Triple sec or Grand Marnier

• 0.5 oz Simple syrup (optional, adjust to taste)

• Orange peel (zested, for rim)

• Salt (for rim)

• Ice

Method

1. Run an orange peel around the rim of a glass and dip it into a salt and orange zest mix to coat

2. Add tequila, Campari, lime juice, orange juice, triple sec or Grand Marnier, and simple syrup (if using) to a shaker with ice

3. Shake well until chilled

4. Strain into the prepared glass filled with ice

5. Garnish with an orange peel twist or wedge

6. Blood Orange Margarita

The crimson-colored blood orange juice and cheeky whisper of Campari transform the classic Margarita into something truly special. The Blood Orange Margarita is bolder than our regular orange one and quite a bit sweeter with all the tang. It’s a must-pour when beautiful blood oranges are in season between December and April. We rate it as one of the best orange juice cocktails for sure, especially if you enjoy the bittersweet flavors.

7. Garibaldi (opens in new window)

The Garibaldi cocktail recipe is a speedy 2-ingredient cocktail that pays tribute to Italy’s unification, where the north and south joined forces, in which General Garibaldi was a key figure. This popular bittersweet cocktail is super-easy to blend up with freshly frothed orange juice (originally southern Sicilian oranges) and the iconic Italian aperitif, Campari from the North. This fantastic tangy summer cocktail is served chilled over ice. Cocktail making just cannot get any simpler, especially if you are planning an outdoor cocktail party.

8. Orange Blossom

This dainty gin cocktail is often the toast at weddings as it symbolizes all the romantic things like eternal love, good luck and fertility but its evergreen charm makes it a perfect serve for any occasion. The Orange Blossom Cocktail is fresh and citrusy with a mix of orange juice, gin and sweet vermouth (opens in new window). Not only does it taste sublime, but it’s also a very good-looking cocktail too.

9. Blood and Sand

Dating back to the 1930s, this Scotch-based cocktail definitely deserves a comeback. The Blood and Sand cocktail is a delightfully sweet and refreshing whiskey drink with hints of spice that’s said to turn even whiskey haters into fans. The orange juice tames the whiskey into a smooth drinking cocktail, making for a stylish aperitif.

10. Sex on the Beach

The Sex on the Beach cocktail may sound a little naughty, but this classic cocktail is all about tropical beach feels. It’s a combination of vodka and peach schnapps topped up with freshly squeezed orange juice and cranberry juice. Of course, this raunchy cocktail is a popular request for any bacherlotte party.

11. Clockwork Orange

There are a few variations of this drink served up around town, but the simplest one is the one we favor. The Clockwork Orange cocktail is not nearly as controversial as the film, but it was inspired by a fan of the movie.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Aquavit

• 1 oz Coffee (French-press, chilled)

• 1 oz Aperol

• 0.5 oz Simple syrup

• 2 dashes Chocolate bitters

• 6 dashes Orange bitters

• Orange peel (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add aquavit, coffee, Aperol, simple syrup, chocolate bitters, and orange bitters to a shaker with ice

2. Shake well until chilled

3. Strain into a lowball glass over a large ice cube

4. Flamed orange peel: twist over the drink to release the oils, then use as a garnish

5. Serve immediately

12. Madras

The Madras is a laid-back cocktail that’s just as welcome at brunch as it is at sunset happy hour.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz SKYY Vodka (opens in new window)

• 3 oz Cranberry juice

• 1 oz Orange juice

• Orange or lime slice (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a shaker with ice

2. Add SKYY Vodka, cranberry juice, and orange juice

3. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds

4. Strain into a glass filled with ice

5. Garnish with an orange or lime slice

There you have it, bestie! Our favourite orange juice cocktails to shake up and enjoy! And there’s plenty more inspiration where that came from! Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll deliver it right to your inbox.