Whiskey & Orange Juice

Whiskey & Orange Juice are the perfect pair! They make for a refreshing and simple mixed drink that can be made in minutes.

Jump to:

• ORANGE JUICE AND WHISKEY COCKTAIL
• Why Mix Whiskey and Orange Juice?
• Ingredients and Variations
• Optional Garnishes

ORANGE JUICE AND WHISKEY COCKTAIL

Whiskey and orange juice taste a little similar to a whiskey sour, but it’s easier to make. It is a delicious pairing that can be enjoyed all year round as both ingredients are easily accessible and enjoyable in every season.

A whiskey and orange juice cocktail, also known as a Whiskey Screwdriver, is an easy mixed drink that has a refreshing and bold taste. And thanks to the OJ, it is a perfect brunch drink option!

It is an easy drink to make and master. And due to its delicious simplicity, it is also a fantastic option for serving a crowd! You can adjust the ratio of orange juice and whiskey to suit your personal preferences without compromising the flavor of the cocktail.

Why Mix Whiskey and Orange Juice?

You might be surprised to find that whiskey can mix well with a variety of different mixers and ingredients. It can be used in a wide variety of classic cocktails such as An Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and a Whiskey Sour, or simply mixed with a singular mixer.

Whiskey is a versatile drink that can be paired with many different options and a good mixer can help its flavor shine. The sweet, tart flavor of orange juice makes it one of the most ideal cocktail mixers around. Especially when it is paired with deep, rich whiskey!

The bright citrus notes compliment any type of whiskey perfectly, whether it’s bourbon, rye, Canadian whiskey, or Irish whiskey. Orange juice offers a rounded sweetness and soft acidity that pairs brilliantly with almost any style of whisky.

If you want to learn more about what pairs well with whiskey, check out our WHAT TO MIX WITH WHISKEY post.

Ingredients and Variations

Whiskey

You can use any type of whiskey you like for this cocktail. The orange juice will mask some of the nuanced flavors though so you don't have to use your best sipping whiskey. As long as the proof of the whiskey is around 100, it's going to hold up really well in this drink.

Orange Juice

Freshly squeezed orange juice is always the best and we highly recommend it for this cocktail. However, there are many great options at the grocery store too. Just make sure you use 100% orange juice with no added sugar.

Bitters (optional)

Cocktail bitters are perfect to add to whiskey and orange juice. They are an optional addition, but we highly recommend adding them as they add a botanical, bittersweet flavor.

Bitters are made from dozens of herbs, fruits, seeds, and other botanicals. So they add a delicious nuance and depth to the flavor of this cocktail.

Ice cubes

This refreshing cocktail is best served chilled. So simply pour the whiskey and orange juice over ice in an old-fashioned glass. The drink will become diluted as the ice melts though so alternatively you could shake it in a cocktail shaker with ice and then strain it into your glass.

Variations

• Use blood orange juice for a darker, pink color.
• If you want to add some sweetness, you can add a dash of simple syrup or maple syrup.
• For a carbonated cocktail version with a little fizz, top your drink off with some soda water or ginger beer.
• For an alcohol-free virgin whiskey and orange juice, swap out the whiskey for a zero-proof whiskey. This way you can still enjoy all of the flavors from the whiskey without any of the alcohol.

If you are looking for more whiskey cocktail inspiration, check out our list of THE BEST SUMMER WHISKEY COCKTAILS!

Optional Garnishes

Even though this is a simple cocktail, it is still fun to add a garnish to your drink to make it feel extra special. Of course, this is entirely optional, but if you do want to garnish your orange juice cocktail try out some of these easy ideas:

• Dried Orange Slices – It is great to keep a store of dried orange slices on hand to add to cocktails. They are simple but beautiful!
• Cherry – Add a maraschino cherry for extra fruity sweetness.
• Orange Zest Twist – A delicate garnish that creates a twist from a thin strip of citrus peel. To make one, cut a strip of orange peel from your whole, fresh orange, and then roll the peel into a spiral roll. Give it a gentle squeeze before adding it to your glass.
• Clear Ice – You can make clear ice and use it in this drink. The larger ice cubes are great for melting slowly.
• Fresh Orange Slice or Wedge – If you don’t have anything else on hand, a fresh orange slice works great.

We also have a fun list of THE BEST WHISKEY SHOTS for you to try out!

I hope you loved learning all about Whiskey and Orange Juice. And if you want to see more of my food adventures, follow me on Instagram or Facebook.