Orange Crush Cocktail Recipe

"Warmer days are ahead and I'm dreaming of backyard and patio gatherings," says chef and recipe developer Jaime Shelbert of Wholly Nourished, and there's no doubt that many of us are dreaming of the same thing. Since those days are quickly approaching, you may be looking for the perfect drink to serve at such a gathering, and Shelbert's orange crush cocktail is a great option. "This orange crush would be a refreshing cocktail to serve," she notes. It's the perfect summer party libation for three reasons. First, as noted, it's a great refresher for those warmer days; the sweet, cold cocktail will cut through the heat just like an icy soda did when you were a kid, here with the relaxing benefits of booze. 

Second, it's a quick and easy drink to make, so you won't miss much of the fun when you're the host. And third, as Shelbert says, "It can be made in a batch and placed in a pitcher," so you can whip up plenty of orange crush cocktail at once and then sit back and relax. Well, until it's time to fire up the grill and break out the burgers, anyway.

This cocktail requires just four ingredients, if you don't count the ice and the optional slices of fresh orange. Beyond those, you'll need fresh squeezed orange juice, some vodka, some triple sec, and some lemon-lime soda, like 7UP.

"Any lemon-lime soda will work here," Shelbert says, adding that "a lime seltzer would be a perfect substitute to cut the sugar. That would be my choice too!"

Freshly-squeezed orange juice really is critical here, so start by juicing those oranges until you have secured ⅔ cup of fresh OJ. Then, in order to make three servings of orange crush cocktail, measure out 4 ounces of vodka, 2 ounces of triple sec, and about 1 cup of lemon-lime soda. And slice a few oranges into wedges, too.

Now add plenty of ice, the orange juice, the vodka, and the triple sec to a cocktail shaker. (Pro tip: keep the shaker in the freezer until it's time to make a cocktail.) Then shake things up for about 30 seconds. Next, divide the mixture evenly between three cocktail glasses.

Now it's time to top each glass off with the soda, adding about ⅓ cup to each glass. Finally, garnish the glasses with an orange slice as desired, then enjoy this "great cocktail for summer gatherings," as Shelbert calls it. And she adds one more idea, too: "It would be tasty for brunch as well, similar to a mimosa."