Orange juice cocktails offer a refreshing twist on classic drinks. These sunny beverages blend the sweet and tangy flavor of orange juice with various spirits and mixers.

You’ll find options ranging from simple two-ingredient drinks to more complex concoctions.

Try orange juice cocktails to add a burst of citrus to your next happy hour or brunch gathering. These drinks work well year-round but are especially popular in warmer months.

With so many recipe options, you’re sure to find an orange juice cocktail that suits your taste preferences.

1. Mimosa Sunrise

The Mimosa Sunrise is a colorful twist on the classic mimosa. You’ll love this easy-to-make cocktail for brunch or special occasions.

To make it, pour chilled orange juice into a champagne flute. Add champagne or prosecco until the glass is about 3/4 full.

Don’t stir!

For the sunrise effect, slowly add a splash of grenadine. It will sink to the bottom, creating a beautiful gradient. Garnish with a maraschino cherry or orange slice if you like.

This drink combines the refreshing taste of orange juice with bubbly champagne and a hint of sweet grenadine. It’s perfect for sipping on sunny mornings or celebrating with friends.

2. Tequila Sunrise

The Tequila Sunrise is a classic cocktail that’s as beautiful as it is tasty. You’ll love its eye-catching layers of orange and red.

To make one, you’ll need tequila, orange juice, and grenadine.

Pour the tequila and orange juice over ice in a tall glass. Then slowly add the grenadine, letting it sink to the bottom.

The result is a drink that looks like a sunrise, with bright orange at the top fading to deep red at the bottom. It’s sweet, refreshing, and perfect for sipping on a warm day.

You can garnish your Tequila Sunrise with an orange slice and a cherry for extra flair. It’s an easy cocktail to make at home that’s sure to impress your friends.

3. Orange Moscow Mule

The Orange Moscow Mule adds a citrusy twist to the classic cocktail. You’ll need vodka, orange juice, ginger beer, and lime juice.

Fill a copper mug with ice. Pour in 2 ounces of vodka and 1 ounce of fresh orange juice.

Add 4 ounces of ginger beer and a squeeze of lime.

Stir gently to combine the flavors. Garnish with an orange wedge or slice for extra flair.

This refreshing drink balances sweet, tangy, and spicy notes. It’s perfect for sipping on warm days or as a zesty party beverage.

4. Orange Mojito

The Orange Mojito puts a citrusy spin on the classic Cuban cocktail. You’ll love this refreshing drink on a hot day.

To make it, muddle fresh mint leaves with lime wedges and orange slices in a tall glass. Add sugar to bring out the fruit flavors.

Pour white rum over the muddled mixture. Fill the glass with ice and top it off with club soda for some fizz.

Give it a gentle stir and garnish with an orange slice and mint sprig. The result is a perfect balance of citrus, mint, and rum.

This cocktail is easy to customize. You can adjust the sweetness or use vodka instead of rum if you prefer.

5. Blood Orange Margarita

The Blood Orange Margarita offers a vibrant twist on the classic cocktail. This drink combines tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh blood orange juice for a striking color and flavor.

To make one, rim a glass with salt and fill it with ice. Mix tequila, orange liqueur, blood orange juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.

Shake well and strain into your prepared glass. For an extra touch, garnish with a blood orange slice.

The result is a zesty, slightly sweet drink with a beautiful red hue.

You’ll love how the blood orange adds depth to the traditional margarita taste. It’s perfect for sipping on a warm evening or serving at your next party.

6. Orange Gin Fizz

The Orange Gin Fizz is a zesty twist on the classic gin fizz. It combines gin, fresh orange juice, and sparkling water for a refreshing drink.

To make one, mix gin, orange juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.

Shake well and strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Top it off with sparkling water for fizz.

You can garnish your Orange Gin Fizz with an orange slice or twist.

This cocktail is perfect for warm days or as a brunch drink. Its bright flavor and bubbly texture make it a crowd-pleaser.

Try using blood orange juice for a deeper color and slightly different taste. You can also add a dash of orange bitters for extra depth.

7. Orange Bourbon Smash

The Orange Bourbon Smash is a tasty cocktail that mixes bourbon with fresh orange juice. It’s a great drink for sipping on warm days.

To make it, you’ll muddle orange slices with mint leaves in a glass. Then add bourbon, ice, and a splash of club soda.

The orange adds a sweet citrus flavor that goes well with the rich taste of bourbon. Fresh mint gives it a cool, refreshing touch.

You can garnish your Orange Bourbon Smash with an orange slice and mint sprig. It’s an easy cocktail to make at home for yourself or friends.

8. Sunset Sangria

Sunset Sangria is a refreshing orange juice cocktail that’s perfect for warm evenings. This drink blends red wine, orange juice, and brandy for a fruity and boozy mix.

To make it, combine red wine, orange juice, and brandy in a pitcher. Add some pineapple juice and triple sec for extra flavor.

Chill the mixture in the fridge for about an hour.

Before serving, stir in sliced oranges, lemons, and limes. You can also add raspberries for a pop of color.

The fruit adds visual appeal and infuses the drink with more flavor.

Serve your Sunset Sangria over ice in tall glasses. It’s a great drink for parties or relaxing outdoors.

9. Orange Rum Punch

Orange Rum Punch is a refreshing and tropical cocktail. It combines rum, orange juice, and other fruity flavors.

To make it, mix white rum with fresh orange juice. Add pineapple juice and a splash of grenadine for sweetness. Finish with a dash of lime juice for tartness.

Serve this punch over ice in a tall glass. Garnish with orange slices and a maraschino cherry.

It’s perfect for summer parties or sipping by the pool.

You can adjust the strength by changing the rum-to-juice ratio. For a bigger batch, multiply the ingredients and serve in a punch bowl.

10. Fizzy Citrus Sparkler

This refreshing cocktail combines orange juice with sparkling water for a bubbly treat.

Start by filling a tall glass with ice cubes.

Pour in 4 ounces of fresh orange juice. Add 2 ounces of vodka for a kick. Top it off with 2 ounces of chilled sparkling water.

Stir gently to mix the ingredients without losing the fizz. Garnish with an orange slice or twist for extra flair.

This light and effervescent drink is perfect for warm days. You can adjust the sweetness by adding a splash of simple syrup if desired.

11. Orange Campari Lover

This zesty cocktail combines the bitter-sweet taste of Campari with fresh orange juice. You’ll love its vibrant color and refreshing flavor.

To make it, mix equal parts Campari and orange juice in a glass filled with ice. Stir well to combine the ingredients.

For an extra twist, add a splash of vodka or gin. Garnish with an orange slice or peel to enhance the citrus aroma.

The Orange Campari Lover is perfect for sipping on warm evenings. Its balance of flavors makes it a great choice for both new and experienced cocktail drinkers.

12. Orange Whiskey Sour

The Orange Whiskey Sour is a tasty twist on the classic cocktail. It adds orange juice to the mix for extra fruity flavor.

To make one, you’ll need whiskey, orange juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

Shake these ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker.

Some recipes call for an egg white to create a frothy top. This is optional but adds a nice texture.

Pour the drink over ice in a glass. You can garnish with an orange slice or cherry if you like.

This cocktail is easy to make at home. It’s perfect for sipping on a warm evening or serving at parties.

13. Classic Screwdriver

The Classic Screwdriver is a simple yet refreshing cocktail. You’ll love how easy it is to make.

To create this drink, you need just two ingredients: vodka and orange juice.

Fill a highball glass with ice, pour in vodka, and top with orange juice.

Stir gently to mix the vodka and juice. The ratio is typically 1 part vodka to 3 parts orange juice, but you can adjust to your taste.

For the best flavor, use fresh-squeezed orange juice. If that’s not possible, pick a high-quality store-bought juice.

The Screwdriver is perfect for brunch or as a cool drink on a warm day. It’s a great choice when you want something quick and tasty.

14. Orange & Sage Prosecco

This refreshing cocktail combines the bright flavor of orange juice with the earthy notes of sage. You’ll love how the bubbles from the Prosecco add a festive touch.

To make it, muddle fresh sage leaves in a glass. Add ice, orange juice, and a splash of simple syrup. Top with chilled Prosecco and stir gently.

Garnish with an orange slice and a sage leaf. The herbal aroma of the sage pairs nicely with the citrusy orange.

This drink is perfect for brunch or as a pre-dinner aperitif.

15. Citrus Paloma

The Citrus Paloma is a refreshing twist on the classic Mexican cocktail. It combines tequila with grapefruit and other citrus flavors for a bright, zesty drink.

To make a Citrus Paloma, mix tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, and orange juice in a shaker with ice.

Shake well and strain into an ice-filled glass.

Top the drink with grapefruit-flavored sparkling water for some fizz. You can garnish with a slice of orange, grapefruit, or lime.

For extra flavor, try adding a splash of orange simple syrup or muddling some mint leaves in the shaker.

The mix of citrus fruits gives this cocktail a complex, tangy taste you’ll love.

16. Orange Sherbet Punch

Orange Sherbet Punch is a sweet and refreshing drink perfect for parties. You can make it easily with just a few ingredients.

Start by scooping orange sherbet into a punch bowl.

Pour chilled ginger ale or lemon-lime soda over the sherbet.

Add orange juice concentrate for extra flavor. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.

The sherbet will slowly melt, creating a creamy texture. Serve the punch right away in cups or glasses.

This drink is great for kids’ birthdays or summer gatherings. You can adjust the amounts based on how many people you’re serving.

17. Clementine Martini

The Clementine Martini is a bright twist on the classic cocktail. You’ll love its sweet and tangy flavor profile.

To make this drink, mix vodka, orange liqueur, and fresh clementine juice in a shaker with ice. Add a splash of lime juice for extra zing.

Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a clementine slice or twist of peel for a pop of color.

This cocktail is perfect for sipping at holiday parties or brightening up a winter evening. Its fresh citrus taste will transport you to sunnier days.

History of Orange Juice Cocktails

Orange juice has been a popular cocktail mixer for over a century. Its bright flavor and versatility have made it a staple in bars around the world.

Origins and Evolution

Orange juice cocktails began appearing in the early 1900s. The screwdriver, a simple mix of vodka and orange juice, was one of the first. It got its name from American oil workers who allegedly used screwdrivers to stir their drinks.

In the 1920s, two famous orange juice cocktails were born: the mimosa and the Buck’s fizz. Both combine orange juice with champagne, but in different ratios. The mimosa uses more orange juice, while the Buck’s fizz has more champagne.

The tequila sunrise came later, in the 1930s. This colorful drink layers tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. It became hugely popular in the 1970s thanks to rock stars like the Rolling Stones.

Cultural Significance

Orange juice cocktails have played a big role in drinking culture. The mimosa became a brunch staple, making daytime drinking more socially acceptable. It’s now a must-have at many weekend gatherings.

The screwdriver’s simplicity made it a go-to drink for many. Its name even inspired other “tool-named” cocktails, like the monkey wrench and the rusty nail.

During Prohibition, orange juice helped mask the taste of poor-quality alcohol. This practice continued, making orange juice a key ingredient in many cocktails.

Today, orange juice remains a versatile mixer. It’s used in both classic and modern cocktails, appealing to a wide range of tastes. You’ll find it in fancy bars and casual settings alike, showing its enduring popularity.

Nutritional Profile

Orange juice cocktails offer a mix of nutrients and calories. The juice brings vitamins and minerals, while alcohol adds empty calories. Let’s look at the key components.

Vitamins and Minerals

Orange juice is packed with vitamin C. One cup gives you more than 100% of your daily need. This helps your immune system and skin health. The juice also has folate, potassium, and thiamine.

Folate is good for making red blood cells. Potassium helps control blood pressure. Thiamine keeps your nerves working well.

Some orange juices are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. These are great for strong bones and teeth.

Caloric Content

Orange juice cocktails can be high in calories. A typical 8-ounce drink might have 150-200 calories.

This comes from the juice and the alcohol.

Pure orange juice has about 110 calories per cup. Alcohol adds more. A shot of vodka has about 97 calories.

The sugar in orange juice also adds calories. If you use sweetened mixers, the count goes up even more.

To cut calories, try using less juice or picking a lower-calorie alcohol.

You can also use diet mixers or soda water to lighten things up.