22 Zesty Orange Juice Cocktails For Every Occasion and Season
July 08, 2022 by Sonja Edridge
If you’re one who loves drinks made with orange juice, then we’ve got fantastic news for you. Our twenty-two 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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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. It’s a blend of all the regulars you’d expect to find in a Margarita but an unexpected shot of Campari and orange juice. For the best version, use freshly squeezed orange juice of course and zest a little orange peel into the salt for a tangy colorful rimmed glass!
5. 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.
6. Garibaldi
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.
7. 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. Not only does it taste sublime, but it’s also a very good-looking cocktail too.
8. 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 IBA official cocktail is similar to the Garibaldi but it mixes vodka instead of Campari with OJ for another super-easy 2 ingredient cocktail. Just promise us you’ll avoid mixing it with a rusty screwdriver when making these easy summer cocktails. If you’re feeling adventurous look at our article on how to smoke cocktails, and take your Screwdriver to another dimension.
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 whisky drink with hints of spice that’s said to turn even whisky haters into fans. The orange juice tames the whisky 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. To make this after-dinner cocktail, shake together aquavit, coffee, Aperol with simple syrup and bitters. Strain into a lowball glass over a large ice cube and garnish with flamed orange peel before serving.
12. Madras
If you love easy vodka cocktails, you are going to adore the Madras. Start by filling a shaker with ice, then add 1.5 oz SKYY Vodka, 3 oz cranberry juice, and 1 oz orange juice. Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds to ensure that all the ingredients are well combined and chilled. Finally, strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice and garnish with a slice of orange or lime.
13. Fuzzy Navel
The Fuzzy Navel is a popular cocktail that is known for its delicious blend of peach schnapps and orange juice. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add 1 oz peach schnapps and 3 oz orange juice. Shake well, and strain the cocktail into a serving glass filled with fresh ice and garnish with a slice of peach or orange. Enjoy the sweet and tangy flavors of the Fuzzy Navel!
14. Amaretto Stone Sour
This easy Amaretto Stone Sour recipe is a citrusy and refreshing riff on the original – perfect for brunch or lingering lunches! It combines 1.5 oz Amaretto, 1.5 oz orange juice, and 1.5 oz sweet-and-sour mix. As you can tell, there is no egg white involved, which makes it a less tricky drink if you’re just starting out.
15. Hurricane Cocktail
The classic Hurricane is a tropical cocktail that always sets the scene for a fun and lively atmosphere. Bursting with zingy fruity flavors that get shaken together with white and dark rum, bright red grenadine, and sweet orange juice, this is a long drink that gets better with each sip.
16. Golden Dream
The Golden Dream cocktail is a symphony of creamy orange and vanilla flavors that will spark childhood memories of enjoying popsicles by the pool in the summertime. With just a handful of ingredients and a taste so sweet, this dreamy orange juice cocktail definitely needs a place on your best after-dinner cocktails list.
17. Alabama Slammer
Initially inspired by a shooter, the tangy Alabama Slammer is a popular drink that’s as easy to pour as it is to enjoy. To make this cocktail, you will need 1 oz each of Wild Turkey Bourbon, sloe gin, and Amaretto liqueur. Next, add two ounces of freshly squeezed orange juice to the mix. Fill a shaker with ice, and all the ingredients, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.
18. Harvey Wallbanger
This iconic disco-era drink is similar to a Screwdriver, except the original Harvey Wallbanger recipe gets a Galliano liqueur float on top of the vodka and orange. This turns it into a sweet, yet complex, and vanilla-forward drink with lingering notes of anise, lavender, juniper, anise, and cinnamon.
19. Rum and orange Juice
Sweet and slightly tart, orange juice and rum is a delicious combination and easy to make. For the best result, use a white rum like Wray and Nephew. Simply build it in an ice-filled glass with 2 parts rum and 4 parts orange juice. You can add fresh lime and a dash of grenadine for a fun twist.
20. Cantarito
Mixed with fresh orange juice, lime, and lemon juice and topped with grapefruit soda, this Mexican drink is a slightly sweeter relative of the Paloma. While the Cantarito cocktail is traditionally served in a Cantarito clay cup, a highball glass will work equally well.
21. Orange Creamsicle Cocktail
This impossibly creamy Orange Creamsicle cocktail is straight-up dreamy. After all, how could you possibly go wrong by combining the bright, summery flavors of a beachside treat with the boozy kiss of vodka? Sheer magic.
22. Painkiller
This Caribbean-inspired Painkiller cocktail blends rum, fresh pineapple and orange juice, and coconut cream creating a deliciously smooth drink perfect for a hot day. Ideal if you want to enjoy a taste of the tropics even though you can’t quite make it to the beach.
