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This Orange Crush Cocktail is a refreshing summer drink made with fresh orange juice, vodka, triple sec, and a splash of lemon-lime soda or club soda. It comes together in minutes over crushed ice and tastes like a beach-bar cocktail you can make right at home.
Table of Contents
- Kellie’s Note My Summer Crush
- What is an Orange Crush Cocktail?
- Ingredients For My Orange Crush
- Best Oranges for an Orange Crush Cocktail
- How To Make an Orange Crush
- How to Make Orange Crush Cocktails for a Party
- Garnish & Glassware Tips
- Lemon-Lime Soda vs Club Soda
- Orange Crush Variations
- Orange Crush Cocktail Recipe
- More Cocktail Recipes
Kellie’s Note
My Summer Crush
I first fell in love with Orange Crush cocktails at the Jersey Shore, where they’re a summer tradition at beach bars and seafood spots. This easy version is light, citrusy, fizzy, and party perfect, just the thing for hot summer days, backyard cookouts, and beach weekends.
Every year, I head to the down the shore and kick off the season with an Orange Crush cocktail at one of my favorite spots. It’s one of those drinks that instantly feels like summer: cold, refreshing, and dangerously easy to sip.
The key to a good Orange Crush is fresh orange juice. Bottled orange juice works in a pinch, but freshly squeezed oranges give this cocktail its bright, beachy flavor. I also like keeping the sweetness balanced by using either lemon-lime soda for the classic version or club soda when I want something lighter.
It’s definitely a Top 5 summer drink here at The Soapbox.
What is an Orange Crush Cocktail?
An Orange Crush Cocktail is a fizzy citrus drink made with fresh orange juice, orange-flavored vodka, orange liqueur, and lemon-lime soda or club soda. It’s usually served over crushed ice and finished with an orange slice for a fresh, beachy cocktail that’s especially popular in Maryland, Delaware, and along the Jersey Shore.
It’s a little like a less fancy mimosa or a brighter, fresher screwdriver, but with bubbles, orange liqueur, and plenty of crushed ice.
Ingredients For My Orange Crush
- Fresh Orange Juice – Fresh squeezed orange juice gives this cocktail its best flavor. Navel, Valencia, Cara Cara, or mandarin oranges all work well. Bottled orange juice can work in a pinch, but avoid orange drink or orange punch.
- Vodka – Orange vodka adds extra citrus flavor and gives the cocktail its classic Orange Crush taste. You can also use regular vodka for a less artificially orange flavor.
- Orange Liqueur – Triple sec is the classic choice, but Grand Marnier or Cointreau will give the drink a smoother, more elevated orange flavor.
- Lemon-Lime Soda, Club Soda, or Sparkling Water – Use lemon-lime soda for a sweeter, classic beach-bar version. Use club soda or orange sparkling water for a lighter, less sweet cocktail.
- Crushed Ice – Crushed ice keeps the drink frosty and gives it that classic summer cocktail feel.
- Orange Slice or Wedge – Optional, but it makes the drink look fresh and party-ready.
Best Oranges for an Orange Crush Cocktail
Sweet, juicy oranges make the best Orange Crush. Navel oranges are easy to find and naturally sweet, Valencia oranges are extra juicy, Cara Cara oranges add a slightly berry-like flavor, and mandarins make the drink sweeter and more fragrant.
For the freshest flavor, squeeze the oranges right before making the cocktail. If you’re making a batch for a party, juice the oranges a few hours ahead and keep the juice chilled until you’re ready to mix.
How To Make an Orange Crush
- Fill the glass with ice. Pack a Collins glass or highball glass with crushed ice.
- Add the alcohol. Pour in 2 ounces orange-flavored vodka and 2 ounces triple sec.
- Add the orange juice. Stir in 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice.
- Top with bubbles. Add 2 to 4 ounces lemon-lime soda, club soda, or orange sparkling water.
- Garnish and serve. Add an orange slice or wedge and serve immediately.
For a stronger cocktail, use just a splash of soda. For a lighter, fizzier drink, use closer to 4 ounces.
How to Make Orange Crush Cocktails for a Party
Orange Crush Cocktails are easy to turn into a pitcher drink or Orange Crush Punch for summer parties. Mix the orange vodka, triple sec, and fresh orange juice together ahead of time, then refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
Wait to add the lemon-lime soda, club soda, or sparkling water until just before serving so the cocktails stay fizzy. Pour over crushed ice and garnish each glass with an orange slice.
For 6 servings, use:
- Orange slices, for garnish
- 12 ounces orange-flavored vodka
- 12 ounces triple sec
- 1 1/2 cups fresh squeezed orange juice
- 12 to 24 ounces lemon-lime soda, club soda, or orange sparkling water
- Crushed ice, for serving
Garnish & Glassware Tips
Serve an Orange Crush in a Collins glass or highball glass packed with crushed ice. Garnish with an orange wedge, orange wheel, or fresh mint sprig if you want to dress it up.
A fun straw is optional, but it gives the drink that classic beach-cocktail feel.
Lemon-Lime Soda vs Club Soda
Lemon-lime soda gives an Orange Crush Cocktail a sweeter, more classic beach-bar flavor. Sprite or 7UP both work well if you like a brighter, sweeter drink.
Club soda makes the cocktail lighter and less sweet, which lets the fresh orange juice stand out. Orange or tangerine sparkling water is a great middle ground because it adds fizz and citrus flavor without making the drink too sugary.
Orange Crush Variations
- Grapefruit Crush – Swap the orange juice for fresh grapefruit juice.
- Strawberry Crush – Replace the orange juice with strawberry puree.
- Lemon Crush – Use fresh lemon juice instead of orange juice, and add extra lemon-lime soda or a little simple syrup to balance the tartness.
- Blood Orange Crush – Use fresh blood orange juice for a deeper color and slightly tart citrus flavor.
The basic formula stays the same: fresh juice, vodka, orange liqueur, bubbles, and plenty of ice.
Orange Crush Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Collins glass or highball glass
- 1 citrus juicer optional but recommended
Ingredients
- 2 ounces orange-flavored vodka, or regular vodka
- 2 ounces triple sec
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 2 to 4 ounces lemon-lime soda, club soda, or orange sparkling water, to taste
- Crushed ice, for serving
- Orange slice or wedge, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a Collins glass or highball glass with crushed ice.
- Add the orange-flavored vodka and triple sec.
- Stir in the fresh squeezed orange juice.
- Top with 2 to 4 ounces lemon-lime soda, club soda, or orange sparkling water.
- Garnish with an orange slice and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- For a sweeter Orange Crush, use lemon-lime soda. For a lighter, less sweet version, use club soda or orange sparkling water.
- Add the soda or sparkling water right before serving so the cocktail stays fizzy.
- Orange Crush can be modified to make a strawberry crush, grapefruit crush, lemon crush, or blood orange crush by replacing the orange juice with another fresh juice or fruit puree.
- Best served immediately after making.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Cocktail Recipes
- The ULTIMATE Chocolate Martini Recipe
- Sparkling Pomegranate Rum Punch
- Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria
- Lemonade Gin Mojito Recipe
- Pineapple Prosecco Slushie
- Easy Mimosa Float
- Hurricane Drink
We also threw in this Blueberry Mojito Popsicle which is totally fab and a great way to cool off when that September sun reminds us all that, even though school has started, summer isn’t over yet. Party on, my friends!
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So why is the alcohol in ounces and the OJ in 1/4 cups? After all 1/4 cup is 2 oz. So this would be 2 oz. of Vodka, Triple Sec and OJ with a splash of lemon lime soda.
Because it is.
A grown up version of my favorite childhood soda! So refreshing and zippy!
So glad you loved it!
This was so amazing! The fresh orange flavor and the little bit of fizz makes it super refreshing!
This is phenomenal! It’s so refreshing and so tasty! We couldn’t get enough! Perfect for summer!
Thank you so much for your comment! It’s definitely our favorite.
Looks great! Can’t wait to try this out with family and friends.
It’s always a huge hit!
This looks so refreshing. Perfect for summer.
Thank you!
I bet this drink is such a hit all summer long! Love the color!
Perfect cocktail for sipping by the pool! Can’t wait to make this!
Great summer drink!
Thank you so much!
What a cool and refreshing cocktail for summer! I can’t wait to enjoy this all summer long!