Orange Crush Cocktail

If a Screwdriver and a Mimosa had a beach baby in Ocean City, this would be it. A true Orange Crush cocktail is fresh-squeezed orange juice + vodka + orange liqueur + a fizzy topper– served over crushed ice so it hits like an air conditioner for your soul.

Classic Orange Crush Recipe

I honestly don’t drink cocktails too much, mostly because I like to eat calories instead of drink them and also because I am way too lazy to be getting out a cocktail shaker, blending and pouring. Instead, I pop a bottle of wine and I’m already on my way to relaxation town. It’s either that or a Dirty Shirley or spiked Italian Cream Soda.

But an Orange Crush is just as much a Maryland cocktail as crab cakes are a state dish. You won’t find many bars, in the city or on the shore, that don’t have their own citrus juicer proudly displayed. It’s not just a refreshing summer drink, it is an “anytime of the year drink”.

And the moment you see it, you know, they make crushes. And it is a way of life.

Where Did the Orange Crush Start?

I mean, we serve our fair share of mimosas, Bloody Mary’s and vodka drink recipes, but doesn’t everyone? Rumor has it that is started at the Harborside Bar in Ocean City, but who knows, many want to claim it as their own.

Some argue that orange crushes are an Ocean City thing and others, a Baltimore thing and some even an Appapolis thing. And even then Waterman’s in Virginia claims to be the original.

What Are The Best Oranges?

Valencia oranges and navel oranges are by far the most popular and the easiest to procure, but you can use more exotic types as well. You can even use blood oranges!

The only type of orange I shy away from using are mandarin oranges and only because they are smaller and don’t have as much fresh orange juice.

Ingredients

The simple ingredients of this recipe are super easy to find at your local grocery store- if you don’t already have them on hand.

• Orange juice – I know you are going to wonder if you can use bottled orange juice from the store; but this is one of those recipes that I’m going to say use fresh orange juice. Fresh juice is really key to making this a good cocktail.
• Vodka – Because this is the main liquor in the cocktail, I using a good quality vodka. Your favorite brand will work just fine.
• Triple sec – This is just the most popular brand name for orange liqueur, but you could get fancy and use Grand Marnier, Cointreau or Orange Curacao if you’d like.
• Soda – There are several options that can be used here. You can use a lemon-lime soda like Sprite of 7UP, or just sparkling water or club soda.
• Garnishes – I like to use fresh orange wedges or maraschino cherries for garnish, but they aren’t necessary. You could also use lemon or lime wedges.
• Ice – I don’t normally list “ice” as an ingredient. However, it is an orange CRUSH, so crushed ice cubes are best. Fill that pint glass to the brim with real, crushed ice.

How to Make an Orange Crush Cocktail

This simple cocktail really couldn’t be easier to make.

1. Ice. Fill a pint glass with crushed ice.
2. Vodka. Pour vodka and other liquor into the glass.
3. Juice. Add freshly squeezed orange juice. Although bulky, these professional tabletop juicers are the best and easy to clean.
4. Soda. Top it off with lemon-lime soda (might not need the full amount).
5. Garnish. Garnish with an orange wedge and/or maraschino cherry.
6. Enjoy! Drink immediately!

Batch it in a Pitcher!

This makes approximately 8 pint-sized drinks.

• 2 cups vodka
• 1 cup triple sec
• 3 cups orange juice
• crushed ice
• lemon-lime soda

1. Combine the vodka, triple sec and orange in a pitcher. Chill until ready to serve.
2. When serving, fill a glass halfway with crushed ice, fill 3/4 of the way with the orange juice mixture and top it off with lemon-lime soda.

Adding the ice to the pitcher will water it down as it melts. Adding the lemon-lime soda too early will lose the bubbles, so it’s best to not add those until ready to serve.

Variations

There are plenty of ways you can change this recipe to turn it into your favorite cocktail.

• Soda – If you don’t have lemon lime soda, you could use orange soda, soda water or seltzer.
• Juice – As I said, fresh-squeezed orange juice is best for this recipe, however you could totally sub in fresh grapefruit juice as well. It will be slightly more bitter, but still delicious and you still get that citrus flavor. In some cases, premade OJ will work, especially if you are batching it.
• Vodka – You can use plain vodka (Titos is my favorite!) or use an orange vodka, even lemon infused vodka or a splash of limoncello. Perfect for a hot summer day.

More Fun Cocktail Recipes

We all know I am a lazy bartender, so here are a couple more easy cocktail recipes!

Drinks

Dirty Shirley

4.47 from 13 votes

Drinks

Easy Mint Mojitos

5 from 8 votes

Drinks

Starburst Cocktail with Champagne

4.91 from 11 votes

Orange Crush Cocktail

4.52 from 105 votes

Make the best Orange Crush: real oranges, vodka, orange liqueur, and soda over crushed ice. Beach-bar refreshing, no shaker needed.

Prep Time: 4 minutes mins

Total Time: 4 minutes mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Servings: 1

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Equipment

• Tabletop Juicer
• Bartending Set

Ingredients

• 1 orange , freshly juiced*
• 1- 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce triple sec
• 3 ounces lemon-lime soda or sparkling water**
• orange wedges or maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions

• Fill a pint glass with crushed ice.
• Pour the 1- 2 ounces vodka 1 ounce triple sec over the ice.
• Add the freshly squeezed 1 orange.
• Top it off with the 3 ounces lemon-lime soda or sparkling water** (might not need the full amount). Using a stir stick, give it a quick whirl.
• Garnish with orange wedges or maraschino cherry for garnish.
• If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.

Video

Notes

*Approximately 1/2 cup of orange juice.
**You might not need the full amount, this depends on the size of your glass, amount of ice and fresh orange juice.

Nutrition

Calories: 345 kcal, Carbohydrates: 25 g, Protein: 1 g, Fat: 1 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Sodium: 3 mg, Potassium: 237 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 21 g, Vitamin A: 295 IU, Vitamin C: 70 mg, Calcium: 52 mg

Calories: 345

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: maryland orange crush, orange cocktail with triple sec, orange crush, orange crush cocktail, orange crush pitcher recipe, orange crush recipe

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