Orange Crush Drink Recipe

The Orange Crush, a bright and bubbly cocktail that is almost synonymous with summertime (and especially the kind spent in coastal regions). It is a popular thirst-quencher across all age groups thanks to its sour and citrus flavor and sparkling nature which makes one feel alive in every sense of the way. Perfect for all those summertime parties or a night on the porch sipping your mom-juice — because let’s be real.

How to Make Homemade Orange Crush Drink

Orange crush fresh juice, vodka, and lemon-lime soda come together for a festive toast. Combine vodka, orange liqueur, and fresh orange juice in a shaker over ice. Strain into an ice filled glass and top with lemon lime soda. Serve over ice and garnish with a slice of orange for the perfect midsummer sip.

Ingredients

• 2 oz fresh orange juice (fresh squeezed is best for optimal flavor/natural sweetness).
• 1 oz triple sec — gives the drink a very light, little hit of orange liqueur in addition to that citrus flavor.
• 2 oz vodka — Gives a nice smooth footing beneath the cocktail to balance out its sweet-and-sour components.
• Lemon-lime soda (Sprite): Adds bubbles and tinge of sweetness in the end for quench.
• Ice: Ice is good for chilling the drink quickly and to get it at that perfect ready-to-sip consistency.
• Orange slice or peel – For garnish, visual finish an extra hit of the fragrance.

Instructions

1. Add ice to a shaker: Be sure the shaker is also properly chilled in order for your drink to remain nice and frosty.
2. Mix the orange juice, the triple sec, and vodka:  Put all of your ingredients in a shaker.
3. Shake and then repeat: Properly combine all ingredients into ice-filled cocktail shaker.
4. Strain into a glass filled with ice: Pour the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice cubes
5. Add soda on top: Splash a little lemon-lime soda to give it that bubbly flavor.
6. Add an orange slice or peel garnish: To complete, top with a fresh orange slice to cut through the salt and add just another touch of citrus.

Serving Suggestions

• Chill: Cold is good for a hot day or when you come back from work and wish to take a drink.
• Seafood: Seafoods go very well with the Orange Crush, especially shellfish and fish tacos are a good idea.
• Pitcherize it: Double, triple (or quadruple the recipe) and you can entertain with a batch of orange crushes at your summer cookout.
• Top with fresh fruit: Put a slice of orange or some berries on top for extra color and flavor.
• Mix things up: Add a dash of cranberry or pineapple juice to mix it up.
• Cocktail base: Blend with vodka or rum to make a spiked Orange Crush.
• Served in a frosted glass: Chilled your drinkware for whipping out the refreshing experience.

Tips and Variations

• Use a frozen glass: The experience will be more than awesome if you freeze your glasses before using them.
• Buy a good vodka: pick up an expensive bottle of the spirit for better flavored.
• Fresh mint: Sprig of fresh mint for garnish – this adds a nice refreshing zing.
• Turn it into a mocktail: Just over the vodka and triple sec, double up on freshly made orange juice and toss in a splash of soda for an alcohol-free option.
• Blood oranges — for a new twist, you can use blood orange juice, which will give the sorbet an even deeper red color and flavor profile.

Preparation Time

• 5 minutes
• Serving size: 1 person

Nutrition Information

• Calories: 181 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Protein: 0.5g
• Fat: <1g
• Saturated Fat: <1g
• Sodium: 17mg
• Potassium: 1mg

Nutrition information is a rough estimate based on the individual ingredients.

Ingredient Substitutes

• Orange juice: Take a trip to the store; you will need stock-piled orange juice if you have no access to fresh oranges.
• Vodka: Swap out the vodka but keep it in the white family by using a bit of gin.
• Triple sec — this is pretty straightforward, and you can also substitute the Orange Aruba or Grand Marnier instead of triple sec.
• Lemon-lime soda – change for ginger ale (if you like it a little spicier) or club soda for less sweetness.
• Ice: Crushed Ice gives a smoother texture; use ice cubes for longer lasting drink.
• Garnish: Garnish with an orange or lemon slice for a pretty garnishment.
• Sweetness: Sweeten the drink by increasing simple syrup or to make it less cloying and reduce soda drip.
• Serve: Highball or Collins to elevate the appearance.

FAQs

How can I make an Orange Crush that is not alcoholic?

For a refreshing, fruity beverage — add back more of the orange juice and lemon-lime soda but skip anything triple sec or vodka.

What other fruits can I use in this cocktail? 

Use tangerines or even mandarins, and stick a piece of pineapple in there for something different. 

How far in advance can I make an Orange Crush?

Mix fresh orange juice with vodka and triple sec, then refrigerate. Shake with ice and top up with Lemon-lime soda.

What if I don’t have lemon-lime soda? 

Ginger ale with lemon-lime soda (for spice), Club soda (if you want the sweetness removed completely). You can also replace it with lemon or lime carbonated water.

Do I have to use freshly squeezed orange juice?

Fresh orange juice always tastes best, but a quality store-bought version is your next-best option if oranges aren’t in season. Opt for a 100% juice with no sugar added.

Conclusion

A straightforward yet delicious cocktail that tastes like summer — a little sweetness, some great citrus, and lots of fizz is the orange crush. The flavorful cocktail that you can consume on any day, with guaranteed upliftment and refreshments every time your taste buds need the break. I mean, who does not want a fun way to liven up their drink menu: sitting by the pool reading your latest book of choice or hosting some friends in another backyard barbecue – every time is Orange Crush time here folks.