Best Orange Crush Recipe (Cocktail)
How to Make an Orange Crush Cocktail – This sweet and refreshing drink tastes just like a classic orange soda, but is made with San Pellegrino, fresh juice, and vodka for a more delicious and boozy adult beverage recipe!
Why We Love this Orange Cocktail Recipe
I try not to label a recipe “the best” if I don’t really think it’s the best I’ve ever tasted… But after we’ve tested Orange Crush Cocktails at bars and restaurants, and then made a multitude of them at home, this truly is the BEST boozy orange crush drink I’ve ever tasted!
We first experienced this brilliant Orange Crush Drink at a marina with a little tiki bar next to the dock. Everyone we saw was enjoying the same orange beverage, so of course, we had to try it. It was light and refreshing with the taste of fresh oranges. It’s similar to a classic Southern Orangeade but unapologetically boozy.
This is the perfect drink for a hot summer day.
So when we talk about an Orange Crush, we’re not talking simply about the canned orange soda* you find in most grocery stores. We’re talking about a bold vibrant cocktail that’s perfect for summer parties but is also refreshing any time of year, including the holidays!
*Of course, you can use orange crush soda in an orange crush cocktail, but personally, I don’t think that’s the best option.
Ingredients You Need
After making orange crush cocktails with every type of fresh orange and orange-flavored liquid known to man including: orange crush soda, many other brands of orange soda, various types of oranges, and orange-flavored liquors of all types, we determine the absolute best orange crush recipe is made of these 5 simple ingredients:
- Freshly squeezed orange juice – from navel oranges or mandarin oranges
- San Pellegrino orange soda
- Orange vodka
- Orange liqueur
- Fresh lemon juice
The 4 orange flavored ingredients, combined with a little splash of high-acidity lemon juice to balance the sweetness, creates the most tantalizing orange flavor. I could drink these all day… Actually, I couldn’t. About two of them will do me in, but I would want to drink these all day.
How to Make an Orange Crush
Squeeze 2 ounces of fresh orange juice per cocktail.
Note: The measurements listed in the recipe card below are to make just 1 drink. Simply double or triple as needed to make however many drinks you like.
Set out a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Add the freshly squeezed orange juice.
Then add San Pellegrino orange soda, vodka, liqueur, and a tiny splash of fresh lemon juice.
Get the Complete (Printable) Orange Crush Cocktail Recipe + Video Below. Enjoy!
Stir vigorously, but do not shake.
Then fill a lowball glass with ice and strain the cocktail over the ice. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and serve.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Bottled OJ – You can use quality store-bought orange juice. I recommend juice without pulp. But Fresh is Best!
- Other citrus – Make this cocktail recipe with lemon, lime, or grapefruit components.
- Plain club soda – Use plain club soda for a lighter and less sweet orange flavor.
- Sprite – Lemon-lime soda makes the cocktail even sweeter.
- Vodka – Use plain unflavored vodka, or try whipped cream vodka to make an orange cream soda (AKA creamsickle) cocktail.
- Triple Sec – Use other types of orange liqueur.
- Do not shake – It’s never a good idea to vigorously shake bubbly soda-based drinks, so just give it a good stir before straining and serving.
- More drinks – You can double and triple the cocktail in a large shaker if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The “original” Orange Crush Cocktail is said to have originated in Ocean City, Maryland. This bubbly sweet beverage quickly became a favorite around the country! Orange crush recipes have evolved into several different variations; however, they all feature the same foundation of orange juice, orange vodka, and soda.
A traditional screwdriver drink includes a simple combo of orange juice and vodka. The orange crush cocktail adds soda to the mix, which makes it sweeter with tingly bubbles.
No, it is best to stir up these soda cocktails on demand. You do not want the delicious San Pellegrino to go flat!
Looking for More Fun and Easy Cocktail Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
- Transfusion Drink Recipe
- Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey Drink (the PB&J)
- Smoke and Mirrors Cocktail
- Sloe Gin Fizz Cocktail
- Texas Ranch Water Cocktail
Orange Crush Cocktail Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 ounces San Pellegrino Aranciata orange soda
- 1 ounce orange vodka
- ½ ounce orange liqueur like grand marnier or gran gala
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- Ice
- Orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- Squeeze 2 ounces of fresh orange juice per cocktail.
- Set out a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Combine the freshly squeezed orange juice, San Pellegrino orange soda, orange vodka, orange liqueur, and a tiny splash of fresh lemon juice. Stir vigorously.
- Then fill a lowball glass with ice and strain the cocktail over the ice. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and serve.
Would it be nice without liqueur?
Hi Cynthia,
Sure! It would taste similar to a classic southern Orangeade. :)
This recipe was so delicious and perfect for our friend party!
This is a new favorite! So easy to make and super delicious! Perfect for date night!
this cocktail is giving me so much life and curing my nostalgia! thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe!