Fuzzy Navel

Get to know the timeless Fuzzy Navel cocktail, a sweet and harmonious blend of peach schnapps and zesty orange juice. Despite its funny name, this drink is balanced, refreshing and easy to prepare.

Fuzzy Navel recipe

Peach season is upon us and I am craving all the peach summer cocktails, from peach daiquiris to peach lemonade.

Another great peach drink to try is the Fuzzy Navel. This bizarrely-named cocktail combines the sweetness of peaches with the tanginess of oranges.

If you can get past the name (which refers to fuzzy peaches and navel oranges, not belly buttons, by the way), this drink promises to be a refreshing addition to any occasion.

More fruity cocktails: Classic Mimosa • Orange Gin & Tonic • Beermosa • Peach Whiskey Smash • Peach Bellini • Blackberry Peach Bramble

Why you’ll love this recipe

This three-ingredient cocktail is one you’re going to love!

• The Fuzzy Navel drink is easy to make with inexpensive ingredients.
• It’s bright, refreshing and balanced — perfect for summertime or anytime.
• Step it up with fresh orange juice for an elevated cocktail.

What is a Fuzzy Navel?

The Fuzzy Navel is a simple cocktail made with orange juice and peach schnapps. It’s similar to the Screwdriver drink made with orange juice and vodka, but has peach flavors as well. 

The bizarre name for these fruity drinks comes from the main ingredients: “Fuzzy” from peach schnapps, referring to the soft, peach fuzz skins of peaches, and “navel” from navel oranges.

Fun fact: Sometimes the drink is called a Cold Medina or Funky Cold Medina, made popular by the Beastie Boys, Flavor Flav and the song by Tone Lōc.

Tools & glassware

To make a Fuzzy Navel cocktail, use a jigger to measure out the proper ratio of ingredients. You can use a cocktail shaker to mix it up or you can combine ingredients in the glass.

You will also want to get out a highball glass for a tall drink or you can halve the recipe and serve it in a rocks glass (which is what I did).

If you want to use fresh citrus juice — I recommend it — you’ll also need a sharp knife and a citrus juicer.

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Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this simple drink: 

Peach schnapps: Beyond this fruity cocktail, peach schnapps is a peachy liqueur that’s a fun addition to your bar cart. It’s clear and colorless but packed with sweet, peachy flavor. DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps is the most common brand. If you have any leftover, you can use it to make the white tea shot and green tea shot. 

Orange juice: Fresh-squeezed orange juice is perfectly delicious in the Fuzzy Navel. If you don’t want to or have the time to juice, using store-bought orange juice is totally OK and still makes a delicious drink.

Ice: You will also want to add a few ice cubes to the drink to keep it cold. You could make one big ice cube or add a scoop of little ice cubes. Check out my guide to making clear ice at home.

Garnishes: You can top off the drink with fresh mint sprigs, peach slices or a slice of orange. A cocktail cherry will also work here, or even a bright red maraschino cherry. 

Variations and substitutions

Try one of these variations of the Fuzzy Navel cocktail:

Screwdriver: Use vodka instead of peach schnapps along with the orange juice.

Fuzzy Screw: Using a mix of vodka and peach schnapps in the Fuzzy Navel helps to cut down on sweetness. This combo is sometimes called the Fuzzy Screw because it combines the Fuzzy Navel and the Screwdriver. This is also called a Hairy Navel. 

Bubbly Fuzzy Navel: This combination adds a splash of prosecco. You could also use lemon-lime soda.

Tequila Screwdriver: Use tequila instead of vodka. It’s not too far off from a Tequila Sunrise.

Harvey Wallbanger: To make this variation, prepare this drink with ½ ounce of Galliano liqueur and 1½ ounce of vodka.

Sloe Screw: Use 1 ounce of vodka and 1 ounce of sloe gin.

Large batch Fuzzy Navels: You can make this drink en masse if you like! For 8 drinks, use 5 cups orange juice and 2 cups peach schnapps. (Use the +/- buttons at the top of the recipe card below to scale the recipe as you need to.)

How to make a Fuzzy Navel

When making a Fuzzy Navel, it is important to measure out the proper ratio of orange juice to alcohol, so that the drink is perfectly balanced and not too boozy or too citrusy.

The Fuzzy Navel drink is pretty easy to put together. Here’s how to do it:

1. First, add ice to a rocks glass or highball glass. 
2. Then add vodka and peach schnapps over top.
3. Pour in the orange juice.
4. Give it a gentle stir with a bar spoon.
5. Garnish it with a orange wheels, a slice of peach or a sprig of mint if you like.

Tips & tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:

• Splurge on a quality vodka. Whatever you can afford should be perfect, but don’t buy the cheapest one you can find. You’ll be able to taste the difference.
• Use pulp-free orange juice. Low or no-pulp juice is ideal because the pulp will otherwise float to the top in the drink and it can ruin the texture. If you do end up buying orange juice with pulp, you can simply straighten it out as you pour into the glass.
• Use fresh orange juice. It makes a big difference in flavor. (But per my last point, strain out any pulp!)

What to serve with a Fuzzy Navel

A Screwdriver cocktail goes well with classic bar food like fried pickles and chicken wings.

But you can also pair it with anything citrusy, such as orange poppy seed cake, or anything peach like baked peaches or peach popsicles.

It would be especially good at brunch with orange poppy seed muffins or orange waffles.

FAQ

More two-ingredient cocktails

• Jack & Coke
• Peach Bellini
• Greyhound
• Tootsie Roll
• Whiskey Ginger