Nothing adds more delight (and vitamin C) to booze better than the sweet and zesty citrus fruit. Besides its gorgeous hue and fruity flavor, another reason orange juice makes a great cocktail component is it pairs beautifully with all types of liquor. The versatile ingredient is also cheap, easy to find, and nutritious. It also doesn’t matter what type of orange to use. Mandarins, tangerines, blood orange – anything works. Whether you’re a mimosa gal, a margarita fan, or perhaps looking to explore other flavor combinations, this list has you covered. Orange you glad you clicked on this article?
1. Mimosa
It’s only fitting to start off this list with perhaps the most popular cocktail known to man. A sweet blend of champagne and orange juice, the mimosa couldn’t be a simpler drink. Fun fact: Authentic champagne comes from grapes grown in Champagne, France. That said, expect it to be a lot more expensive than other sparkling wines. But hey, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious glass (or two… or three) of mimosa without breaking the bank! This recipe is all you’ll need.
2. Tequila Sunrise
If the name didn’t tip you off, tequila sunrise is a delicious tequila-based cocktail. It also has three distinct color layers that mimic a stunning sunrise scenery. And this tequila sunrise is as scrumptious as it is beautiful. It’s made with the usual ingredients you’ll see in a classic tequila sunrise recipe – tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. What sets it apart, however, is the added splash of lime juice to balance out the sweetness of the grenadine, and seltzer, for that extra fizz. Be sure to achieve that stunning sunrise ombre effect by NOT stirring the ingredients.
3. Orange Margarita
In the battle between OG margarita and OJ margarita, I dub the latter the winner. Don’t get me wrong, the classic lime-flavored cocktail is as delicious as can be. But in this version, the splash of orange juice gives the cocktail a sweeter aroma and an even more delectable flavor. Trust the combination of lime and orange to create a wonderful, tastebud tingling sensation!
4. Blood Orange Cocktail
You’ll have a terrific time using blood oranges in cocktails. Their unique hue gives drinks such a mesmerizing look! Take this cocktail as a for instance. The presentation alone already warrants an A+, and it’s all thanks to the gorgeous blood orange slices. As for the taste? Well, let’s just say it’s impossible to stop at one serving. You guys, I can’t even. Seriously, the combination of white wine, vodka, Grand Marnier, simple syrup, and blood orange juice creates magic.
5. Screwdriver
The screwdriver is among the easy and budget-friendly mixes on this list, but it also happens to be one of the tastiest. A blend of 5 parts orange juice, 2 parts vodka, and a pinch of salt, it’s a citrusy and refreshing cocktail that’ll put you in a relaxed tipsy state without burning a hole in your pocket. Also, have you ever wondered how the screwdriver earned its curious name? According to Vodka: How a colorless, odorless, flavorless spirit conquered America author Victor Matus, the drink was invented decades ago by American oil workers in the Persian Gulf. They secretly mixed and drank orange juice with vodka at work. Without a spoon on hand, they used a screwdriver to stir the drink instead.
6. Garibaldi
Here’s another simple, two-ingredient cocktail to serve at cocktail hour. Garibaldi is an Italian cocktail that combines Campari (a type of Italian bitters) and orange juice. You’ll love the team-up of sweet and bitter in this drink because it creates the perfect balance of flavors. You’ll also get notes of citrus tanginess from the orange, which gives the cocktail even more depth and flavor.
7. Madras
A mix of vodka, orange juice, and cranberry juice, think of madras as the mash-up between the orange-flavored screwdriver and the cranberry-infused Cape Codder. This cocktail has had its time in the limelight back in the 1980s. Back then, it was the most popularly ordered drink, especially by the ladies. It may not be as widely known today as it was before, but it still has the same, delicious flavor. The combination of zesty orange and tart cranberry is undeniably terrific!
8. Frozen Bahama Mama
From the name to the look to the flavor, the Frozen Bahama Mama gets tens across the board. How can anyone say no to this drink? It sounds amusing, looks exciting, and tastes incredible. This cocktail is a mix of dark rum, coconut-flavored rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and grenadine. Oh, what fun! It’s like all the delicious tropical flavors decided to team up to give you the most delicious summer treat.
9. Tequila Sunset
Let’s bring back a delectable cocktail from the 1970s, shall we? Because after a busy day at work, nothing sounds better than to wind down with a glass of tequila sunset. The tequila sunset has the same makings as the tequila sunrise, but with a blackberry brandy twist. Mixed the right way, you’ll get a beautiful contrast of colors reminiscent of a sunset.
10. Golden Dream Cocktail
Who doesn’t want a sip of the golden dream, am I right? You’ll try it for the name, and you’ll crave more for the flavor. This cocktail is perfect for those who see cocktails as an extension of dessert. A mix of cream, orange juice, Galliano L’Autentico, and triple sec, this drink is as creamy and dreamy as can be. As a bonus, the recipe calls for a 1:1 ratio for all the ingredients, so it’s super easy to remember.
11. Harvey Wallbanger Cocktail
Say hello to another drink from the 1970s: the Harvey Wallbanger. A blend of vodka, orange juice, and a Galliano L’Autentico float, this cocktail is a jazzed-up version of the simple Screwdriver. If you’re not familiar, Galliano L’Autentico is a sweet, golden, liqueur flavored with herbs and spices – most notably, vanilla and anise.
12. Rum Sunset Cocktail
The rum sunset cocktail is yet another orange-flavored mix perfect for either getting the party started or capping off your evening. It’s a simple, 3-ingredient recipe, but its complex flavors might surprise you. It gets sweetness from Grenadine, citrus taste from the orange juice, and a unique flavor from spiced rum. Apart from the flavor, I’m sure you’ll also find its vibrant hue extra-appealing.
13. Ward 8
Let’s revisit another age-old cocktail that still doesn’t disappoint to this day. A cocktail created to honor the election victory of the political leader, Martin M. Lomasney, the Ward 8 is a winning combination of rye whiskey, orange juice, and grenadine. The drink goes all the way back to 1898. It may not be as in demand as it was back in the day, but it’s still a favorite among whiskey aficionados.
14. Buck’s Fizz Cocktail
Just like the mimosa, the Buck’s fizz is a mix of orange juice and champagne. Both cocktails were created in the 1920s, and both are delicious. The only difference is the ratio. Where a mimosa has a mild blend of 2 parts orange juice and 1 part champagne, the Buck’s fizz has the opposite ratio. A mix of 1 part orange juice and 2 parts champagne, it’s definitely the stronger concoction between the two. So if you’re looking for the same mimosa flavor but a more intense alcohol punch, this is the cocktail for you.
15. Cantarito
It’s not the most popular cocktail on the list, but don’t count it out just yet. The Cantarito is a mix of tequila, lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, and grapefruit soda. So basically, the trifecta of citrus fruits combine to make one epic drink. It’s bright, refreshing, and simply delicious. It’s the perfect reminder that citrus does wonders to tequila.
16. Aperol Orange Juice Cocktail
Aperol is an Italian aperitif with flavors of rhubarb and other botanicals. It has a bright orange hue, which is a clear indication that it pairs wonderfully with orange juice. Combined with sparkling white wine (Prosecco, in this case), ginger, and freshly squeezed orange juice, it makes such a refreshing cocktail with a perfect harmony of flavors. It’s sweet, but not overly sweet because it is complemented by the bitterness of the Aperol, the warmth of the ginger, and the tanginess from the orange juice.
17. Orange Shandy Satsuma Cocktail
If you’re not a fan of the raw flavor of beer, you’ll appreciate this orange shandy satsuma cocktail. A shandy, if you’re unfamiliar, is any combination of beer and soda or juice. It mellows down the bitter flavors of beer, making it more sweet tooth-friendly. For this cocktail, you’ll combine beer and orange juice, and give it an extra punch of satsuma orange liqueur. Delicious and refreshing is an understatement.
18. Blood and Sand
Let’s be honest – blood and sand isn’t exactly the most appetizing name to call a cocktail. Regardless, though, this cocktail is a must-try. The blood and sand is a mix of equal parts cherry brandy (the “blood”), whisky, sweet vermouth, and orange juice (the “sand”). Many appreciate the sweet and smokey flavor profile the whisky and cherry brandy create. Others, however, can’t stand it. Give this polarizing cocktail a try and let me know what you think!
19. Sex on the Beach
Its name is definitely intriguing, and I’m sure everyone has heard it, but do you know what’s in it? Let me break it down for you. Sex on the beach is a seductive concoction of vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, cranberry juice, and Chambord. Besides the flavor, what makes it memorable is its lovely, two-layer tinge of orange-yellow and red. The orange-yellow, which represents the beach, is made of orange juice and peach schnapps. The red – the sultry sexy sunset – is a mix of cranberry juice and Chambord.
20. Easy White Sangria
Give the autumn cocktail a summer twist with white wine, peach schnapps, and OJ! While I can’t say no to a glass of sangria, I admit that this version is brighter and more fitting for the summer. White sangria is the classic sangria’s tropical cousin. To make this version, you’ll use a mix of white wine, peach schnapps, lemon-lime soda, orange juice, and fruit slices.
21. Orange Dreamsicle Cocktail
This cocktail will remind you of the orange creamsicles you devoured as a kid. It’s sweet, creamy, fruity, and just purely addictive. Be careful to not let the alcohol sneak up on you, though! This variation of the ice cream truck classic is spiked with whipped cream vodka. It’s nostalgic, but definitely not kid-friendly. Click on a star to rate it!
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