If you’re searching for the perfect summer drink, look no further! This Orange Crush Recipe fits the bill. With fresh-squeezed orange juice, orange-flavored vodka, triple sec, and sparkling water, this cocktail is sure to be a hit! Even better, it’s only 164 calories per serving. Imbibe and enjoy!
Love light, refreshing cocktails? Then you’ve got to try my Spiked Berry Lemonade and my Classic Mint Mojito!
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Orange Crush Drink
Summer must be here if I’m sipping on an orange crush. I absolutely love this refreshing summer drink. My Mom would get this drink from a small restaurant in Southern Delaware with a sign that read, “World’s Famous Orange Crushes”. She later introduced me to this citrus drink, and I’ve been hooked ever since!
The most important part of this drink is the FRESH squeezed orange juice. It makes all of the difference. It’s so light and refreshing in the summer!
What’s In An Orange Crush?
If you’ve ever been to Ocean City, MD or Southern Delaware you couldn’t miss this drink! It’s pretty much on every drink menu. This summer-fresh cocktail is made with freshly squeezed orange juice, orange-flavored vodka, triple sec, and sparkling water. It’s basically like a grapefruit crush but with fresh squeeze orange juice! It’s a very simple cocktail and — better yet it — it’s only 164 calories per serving, meaning you won’t feel guilty about drinking it!
Orange Crush Recipe
You only need 5 ingredients to make this delicious and easy homemade orange crush cocktail at home!
- Ice cubes: For both mixing the orange crush in the cocktail shaker and for serving.
- Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice: You can use store-bought, if needed, but opt for all-natural and organic, if possible. There should be only one ingredient – orange juice!
- Vodka: I like using orange-flavored vodka to add more orange goodness to this cocktail, both in flavor and color, but you can use plain vodka or another citrus flavor.
- Triple Sec: You can omit if you don’t have this on hand, but I highly recommend using a orange-flavored liqueur like Cointreau!
- Seltzer: You can also use sparkling water, lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, or flavored seltzer.
How To Make An Orange Crush
- Begin by adding fresh squeezed orange juice, vodka, and triple sec to a measuring cup.
- Start by adding the ice cubes, orange juice, vodka, and orange liqueur to a cocktail shaker. Shake for 30 seconds or until well-incorporated. Pour into individual glasses, top with seltzer, and enjoy!
How To Make Cocktail Slushies
While alcohol will not freeze due to ethanol’s extremely low freezing point (-173 degrees Fahrenheit), you can turn these into a blended boozy slushie by placing the cocktail mixture in the freezer for a couple hours, then blending until smooth. Perfect for sipping poolside this summer!
How To Make Orange Peel Curls
If you want to dress this orange crush recipe, garnish it with some fresh orange curls. Orange curls are simple to make and a fancy addition to any drink.
To make an orange curl, take a vegetable peeler and peal a thin strip along the skin of the orange. Twist the strip into spirals until you get your desired look. You don’t have to worry about them losing their curl either. The natural oils in the peel allow it to keep its shape and harden.
You can also garnish these cocktails with a lime wedge, orange slice (or any citrus), fresh or frozen berries, chocolate shavings or curls, fresh mint leaves, fresh basil, or a sprig of rosemary.
Now, it’s time to grab a lounge chair, a magazine, and this skinny orange crush, and spend a relaxing day in the sun. Enjoy!
Tips for making the best orange crush
- Make sure to properly shake you drink in a cocktail shaker for at least 30 seconds. Spruce Eats has a great article explaining how to properly shake a cocktail.
- I highly recommend using a cocktail shaker however if you don’t have one a mason jar with a well fitting lid or a single serve blender would both work!
- These are really good with crushed ice! A little extra work but worth the effort!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other fruit?
Yes of course! Grapefruit, lime, mango, pomegranate even pineapple the list goes on! If you can freshly squeeze the fruit then you can make a fruit crush with it!
Do I have to use fresh squeezed orange juice?
Yes! Fresh squeezed orange juice is a must! It is the main ingredient in this recipe and really makes the drink!
Can I serve these for a crowd?
Absolutely! Simply double or triple this recipe and serve in a beverage dispenser or pitcher!
Where Did Orange Crush Originate?
According to Delaware Now the Orange Crush Cocktail is said to have originated in 1995 at Harbor Side Bar and Grill in Ocean City, Maryland. The restaurant still serves orange crush cocktails along with lots of other flavor combinations! If you are ever in the area you should stop by and give them a try!
More Cocktail Recipes To Try
- Mixed Berry Margaritas
- Classic Mint Mojito
- White Wine Sangria
- Pomegranate Cranberry Champagne Punch
- Red Wine Sangria
Skinny Orange Crush
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 2 ounces orange flavored vodka
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 2 ounces seltzer
- 1/4 cup ice cubes, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Begin by adding fresh squeezed orange juice, vodka, and triple sec to a measuring cup.
- Pour mixture into a cocktail shaker along with 1/4 cup ice and shake for 30 seconds or until combined. Divide liquid between two glasses then top with seltzer and enjoy.
Nutrition Information
Did you make this?
I’d love to hear your feedback! Leave a review and make sure to share your pictures on social media! Don’t forget to follow @thechefsavvy.
Christine | No Gojis No Glory
Hi Kelley! Thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂 I decided to come by and take a look around…I’ve stayed a lot longer than anticipated. lol. Your blog is really beautiful and I love your photography. As for these Orange Crushes…I must make them! They look so yummy and we have a party coming up that they’d be perfect for. However, my husband can’t handle vodka; Is there another alcohol that might make a suitable substitute. I, on the other hand will be trying with the vodka.
Kelley
Hi Christine! Thank you so much, yes they are very yummy and addicting. I would recommend using tequila instead of the vodka or a sparkling wine and hold the seltzer. I wouldn’t recommend using any dark liquor. Let me know how it turns out if you make it with tequila or wine I would be curious to know!
Thanks
Kelley
Kali A
My new summer go to drink! I am obsessed!!
Frank
Please tell me how this drink can have 11.3 grams of sugar and still be 0 carbs ?
As the nutrition facts suggest!
Nathan
Hi Frank,
I’m sorry about that. You are right! Those numbers don’t add up. We were trying out a new nutrition facts calculator which seems to not be working very accurately. We will change it. Thank you for pointing it out.
Nathan
@chefsavvy
frank
Thank you Nathan for the correction and I have to tell you that although I cheated a little on my low carb diet it was worth it because this drink was absolutely delicious!
Just FYI I live in Delaware and I own a beach home in south Delaware and this drink recipe is a 100% match to what you will pay $8 each in one of our many DE beach bars or restaurants.
Thank you for the recipe
Frank
SS
It’s a sweltering day outside but this drink kept me nice and cool. I didn’t have citrus vodka so used regular vodka and Cointreau and it was delicious! I wonder if this would work with blood orange juice (it’s my favorite from Trader Joe’s)? thanks for a great recipe!
Kelley Simmons
Hi!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! I don’t see why it wouldn’t work with trader joes orange juice (sounds delicious).
Thanks!
Kelley
Kate
This was so refreshing! My new summer drink
Kelley Simmons
So glad to hear it! Thank you Kate!
Heather
What a refreshing cocktail for summer! Love OJ and vodka together of course…but this takes it to a whole new level!
April
This will be a perfect date night drink for my husband and I. He LOVES orange juice, thank you for sharing!
Beth
This sounds so delicious. It’s like an extra fancy screwdriver. I can’t wait to make up a few of these for our next get-together.
Tayler Ross
I made these for after dinner cocktails last night, and they were amazing! The perfect summer sipper!
Kelley Simmons
Yah! So glad you enjoyed these Tayler! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Marcie
Hey, I don’t drink so I was wondering what could I use instead of Vodka.
Kelley Simmons
Hi Marcie! I would add some more orange juice or some additional seltzer, tonic water, ginger beer or lemon lime soda to fill up the glass!
Thanks,
Kelley