Whiskey and orange juice might sound simple, but together they make a seriously refreshing drink that’s perfect for just about any occasion. Whether you’re mixing up a quick cocktail for brunch or winding down in the evening, this combo is easy, tasty, and always hits the spot.
It’s kind of like a shortcut orange whiskey sour—just two ingredients, no shaking or fussing required. Sometimes called a Whiskey Screwdriver, this drink has a bold, citrusy flavor that works year-round and is super easy to adjust based on how strong or sweet you like it.
Whiskey is surprisingly versatile when it comes to mixing, and orange juice is one of those go-to ingredients that really brings out the best in it. The natural sweetness of the orange balances the richness of the whiskey, whether you’re using bourbon, rye, or something a little different.
If you’re serving a crowd or just want something quick and low-effort, this orange whiskey cocktail is a great one to keep in your back pocket. It’s simple, satisfying, and way better than it has any right to be.
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.
Ingredient Notes
This simple whiskey drink uses just two easy to find ingredients.
- 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 the whiskey is around 100 proof, it's going to hold up really well in this drink.
- Fresh 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.
- Agnostura Bitters - I love to add orange bitters to my whiskey and orange juice. They are an optional addition, but I highly recommend it as they add a botanical, bittersweet flavor.
See the recipe card below for ingredient list with measurements.
Variations
- Use blood oranges for your citrus juice to get 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 lemon-lime soda.
- 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.
- Add ½ ounce of grenadine to turn this into a sunrise cocktail.
How to Make a Whiskey and Orange Juice
- STEP 1: Fill an old fashioned glass or rocks glass with ice cubes.
- STEP 2: Add the whiskey and orange juice.
- STEP 3: Shake in a few drops of bitters and garnish as desired.
Garnish Suggestions
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.
- Fresh Orange Slice or Wedge – If you don’t have anything else on hand, a fresh orange slice works great.
Glassware for Serving this Cocktail
A short rocks glass, also known as an Old-Fashioned Glass, is the preferred glassware for serving a whiskey and orange juice. It allows the cocktail to be fully emerged by ice, which makes for easy sipping.
More cocktail recipes to try:
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Recipe
Whiskey and Orange Juice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ounces Orange Juice
- 2 ounces Whiskey
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters optional
- Ice Cubes
Instructions
- Fill two old-fashioned glasses with ice cubes.Ice Cubes
- Add the orange juice and whiskey. Taste and adjust according to preference.4 ounces Orange Juice, 2 ounces Whiskey
- Shake in the bitters and garnish as desired.2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Notes
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.
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