The Orange Crush Cocktail is a delightfully fresh drink that is packed with citrus flavor. Made with fresh orange juice, orange liqueur, orange vodka and lemon-lime soda, it has a bright, zesty quality and a hint of fizz. This crushable drink is perfect for kicking back on a hot weekend.
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About this Orange Crush cocktail recipe
There’s something about orange juice that is so uniquely refreshing. It’s primarily served at breakfast time, so it has that start-the-day-off-right energy, even when you enjoy it later in the day in a cocktail.
The Orange Crush cocktail is a great example of this. Every glass is absolutely filled to the brim with extra citrus flavor that goes beyond orange juice, orange vodka, orange liqueur, lemon-lime soda and orange bitters.
This zesty drink hails from Maryland, just like the Black Eyed Susan cocktail, another orange juice and vodka cocktail with elderflower liqueur and pineapple juice.
More vodka drink recipes: Cape Codder • Vodka Gimlet • Moscow Mule • Spiked Arnold Palmer
Why you’ll love this recipe
The Orange Crush cocktail is an absolute delight and you’re going to fall in love with it.
- It’s packed with a refreshing blend of citrus flavors and has just the right balance of sweetness, bitterness and fizz.
- With just four main ingredients, it’s very easy to put together.
- Whether you’re sipping it solo or sharing it with friends, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to prepare and delightful to drink.
What is an Orange Crush?
An Orange Crush cocktail is a bright, zesty and citrus-packed drink made of orange juice, orange vodka, orange liqueur and lemon-lime soda. It’s refreshing, fizzy and sweet with a hint of bitterness (especially if you add orange bitters into the mix for a deeper layer of flavor).
The origin of the Orange Crush drink is somewhat disputed according to The Baltimore Sun, with Maryland claiming to have been its origin and neighboring Delaware claiming to have perfected it.
Tools & glassware
To make a Orange Crush, you’ll need a basic bartending set that includes a jigger and a bar spoon. You may also use a cocktail shaker, but you don’t have to as it can be built right in the glass.
Ideally the drink is served with crushed ice (hence the crush in the name). You can use the crushed ice that comes out of your fridge or regular cubes if that’s all you have. If you don’t have crushed ice, you can make your own by wrapping regular ice cubes in a clean kitchen towel and giving them a few good whacks with a rolling pin or a heavy object. There’s also something called a lewis bag and mallet, which are tools designed for bartenders to hammer their own crushed ice.
Fresh orange juice makes a big difference if you have the time to juice oranges. I like to use an electric juicer to make more at once, but you can also use a hand-operated one.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make
- Orange vodka
- Orange liqueur such as triple sec, Cointreau or Grand Marnier
- Fresh-squeezed orange juice
- Lemon-lime soda
- Orange bitters, optional
Garnishes
Finish off the drink with a piece of orange. I used quartered slices because the oranges I had were on the larger size, but depending on the size of your oranges, you could potentially use a half or whole slice.
For something unique, you could garnish it with a slice of dehydrated orange. These are pieces of oranges that have been dried and cured into dark-colored garnishes that are perfect for elevating any cocktail.
Best vodka
The Orange Crush calls for vodka, typically orange vodka, which has a hint of sweet citrus flavor. This combination will give the drink a bright, citrusy flavor with a nice depth from the vodka. I used Absolut Mandarin, but you can use whatever you have.
And if you just have regular vodka, too! Plain vodka won’t add more orange flavor, but there is plenty to go around in this cocktail so you won’t miss it too much. I like Tito’s for a good mid-shelf option.
Don’t miss Vodka 101 where you can learn more about which bottles to buy.
Substitutions & variations
Top shelf version: Use Cointreau or Grand Marnier for the triple sec. These are higher end orange liqueurs that have a more nuanced, sophisticated flavor, while triple sec is usually cheaper.
Lighter version: Use club soda instead of lemon-lime soda to make a less sugary drink. You can also substitute more OJ for the triple sec to cut out more sugar.
Non-alcoholic version: You can make some swaps to this drink to make a non-alcoholic version that’s more exciting than just a glass of orange juice. Use Lyre’s Orange Sec for the triple sec and a zero-proof vodka with orange flavor, like Seedlip Grove 42, for the vodka.
Instructions
Ready to make your own Orange Crush? Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Start by filling a glass with plenty of crushed ice. This will keep your drink nice and cold while adding a bit of texture. Next, pour in the orange vodka and orange juice.
Then add triple sec. Give it a good stir to mix everything together.
Once everything is well mixed, top off the drink with some lemon-lime soda. This adds a bit of fizz and sweetness that balances the stronger flavors.
Now, for a little extra flair, add a few drops of orange bitters. The bitters will bring out even more citrus notes even more and add a little bit of bitter complexity to the drink.
Finally, garnish your drink with a fresh orange slice. It adds a pop of color and a hint of fresh orange aroma every time you take a sip.
Tips & tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe even better:
- Use fresh-squeezed juice, if possible! Fresh juice adds a brighter, more vibrant flavor that enhances each sip.
- If you prefer a less sweet drink, try using a splash of club soda instead of lemon-lime soda. This will maintain the fizz without adding extra sweetness.
- If you don’t have crushed ice, you can make your own by wrapping regular ice cubes in a clean kitchen towel and giving them a few good whacks with a rolling pin or a heavy object.
- Don’t like a diluted drink? Make orange juice ice cubes to use instead!
Food pairings
Pair an Orange Crush with your favorite summer snacks, like Chex mix or chips and homemade salsa.
It also goes well with citrus flavors, like orange poppy seed cake or margarita bars.
You could also enjoy it for brunch, in lieu of a classic mimosa, along with some orange poppy seed muffins and your favorite brunch dishes.
FAQ
A virgin Orange Crush doesn’t have to be a glass of orange juice over crushed ice. You can easily create a more exciting non-alcoholic version of this drink by swapping the triple sec for Lyre’s Orange Sec and using a zero-proof orange-flavored spirit, such as Seedlip Grove 42, in place of the vodka.
Definitely! Store-bought orange juice is helpful if you plan to make a lot of Orange Crush cocktails. Don’t get the kind with lots of pulp, as it can add an odd texture to the drink, or if you do, strain out the pulp first.
More orange cocktail recipes
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Orange Crush Cocktail
ingredients
- 2 ounces orange vodka
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 2 ounces orange juice
- 1 ounce lemon-lime soda
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 1 orange slice for garnish
instructions
- In a glass filled with crushed ice, add orange vodka, triple sec and orange juice. Stir.
- Top with lemon-lime soda. Add a few drops of orange bitters.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
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