This is the orange crush recipe that will have you sipping and singing all summer long. It's made with fresh orange juice and sparkling water for a bright and fizzy summertime drink. Make it with or without alcohol so everyone can enjoy!
Have you ever had an orange crush before? My first was at Seacrets (a bar in Ocean City, MD) and I was absolutely blown away. The orange juice and sparkling water combo seriously makes for the most refreshing drink on a hot summer day.
It's especially popular in Maryland, but beach towns all over now serve this delicious cocktail and I just had to recreate it at home!
This homemade orange crush recipe brings the feeling of a happy, sunny day right into your own kitchen or back yard. It's a fabulous adult beverage, but it's just as easy to make a non-alcoholic version for those who prefer that. Or, they can enjoy this delicious 3-ingredient orange creamsicle smoothie instead!
What is an Orange Crush?
An orange crush is an alcoholic drink made with fresh squeezed orange juice, sparkling water, orange-flavored vodka and triple sec and is typically served over crushed ice.
It's the perfect drink for barbecues, lazy afternoons on the porch or warm evenings. It's also just right for days when you want to feel like it's summertime!
Ingredients
Get ready for a full dose of sunshine! I make this bright and refreshing summer drink using simple ingredients. I'm providing gluten-free and refined sugar-free options below. See the recipe card at the end of this post for quantities and a mocktail version of this drink.
- Fresh-squeezed orange juice - from 2-3 large juicy Valencia oranges
- Vodka - Most recipes call for orange or mandarin flavored vodka but for the best results, I recommend Tito's vodka and then pairing with an orange cordial/liquor or use a refined sugar-free substitution below.
- Orange Cordial/Liqueur: Options like Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao or Cointreau are excellent choices for this recipe.
- Gluten-Free Statement: Both are typically made with distilled alcohol, which removes gluten proteins, making them gluten-free even if the raw ingredients (such as sugarcane, non-gluten grains, or sugar beets) initially contained gluten. Pierre Ferrand is made with distilled alcohol from sugarcane or other non-gluten grains, orange peels, and spices. Similarly, Cointreau, a triple sec, is made from sugar beets and orange peels, with distillation ensuring it’s safe for those avoiding gluten. If you have celiac disease or extreme sensitivity, it’s always best to confirm with the manufacturer to avoid cross-contamination risks.
- Refined Sugar-Free Substitution: If you prefer to keep the drink refined sugar-free, you can omit the orange cordial/liqueur and replace it with a splash or two of maple syrup and a bit of fresh orange zest. This substitution provides a natural sweetness and vibrant citrus flavor without added sugars.
- Sparkling water - use any citrus flavors such as orange, tangerine, lemon, or lime. Spindrift is my favorite!
- Ice - shake with ice cubes and serve over crushed ice
- Freshly sliced oranges - for garnish
How to Make an Orange Crush
- Squeeze the juice from fresh oranges into a measuring cup.
- Fill serving glasses with crushed ice until about ¾ full.
- Add orange juice, vodka, orange liquor and ice cubes to a cocktail shaker. Shake well.
- Pour into the serving glasses and top with sparkling water.
- Gently stir, then garnish with a fresh orange slice. Enjoy!
How to Make a Virgin Orange Crush
My three kids LOVE the non-alcoholic version of this drink! They feel so special when they get to enjoy a fancy drink with the grown-ups. All I do is leave out the triple sec and vodka, so their drink is just fresh orange juice and sparkling water served over crushed ice with orange wedges. I add a splash of maple syrup and they love it!
Vitamin C in Oranges
As we all know, oranges provide loads of immune-boosting vitamin C and that’s why it’s the main ingredient in this orange crush recipe! Evidence suggests that for some people, high doses of vitamin C might actually shorten a cold by as much as one and a half days. Yes please!
In addition, vitamin C fights free radicals to prevent or delay certain cancers and heart disease. It is essential for the growth and repair of bodily tissues, helps heal wounds, and repairs and maintains healthy cartilage, bones, teeth and skin.
As always, this orange crush recipe is vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free, and peanut-free. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!
If you give it a try, I would love to see your pictures. Tag @eatingbyelaine so I can see, and be sure to drop a review below!
More Summertime Drinks
- Fresh & Classic Margaritas
- Love Potion #9: Sparkling Cherry Spritzer
- Grapefruit Vodka Tonic
- Our Favorite Fresh Homemade Juices
- Strawberry Mint Lime Spritzers
- 2-Ingredient Piña Colada Mocktail (add rum to make it boozy!)
The Best Orange Crush Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This is the orange crush recipe that will have you sipping and singing all summer long. It's made with fresh orange juice and sparkling water for a bright and fizzy summertime drink. Make it with or without alcohol so everyone can enjoy! See notes for brand suggestions and notes about gluten-free and refined sugar-free alternatives.
Ingredients
- 3 cups crushed ice (for serving)
- 1 cup (8 ounces) fresh-squeezed orange juice (from 2-3 large Valencia oranges)
- 2-3 shots (3-4.5 ounces) vodka
- Adjust based on how strong you want the drink. For a gluten-free option, I recommend Tito’s or another high-quality gluten-free vodka.
- 1 shot (1.5 ounces) orange cordial/liqueur
- Options: Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao or Cointreau (see notes for more details).
- To make this drink refined sugar-free, omit the cordial and replace it with a splash or two of maple syrup and a bit of fresh orange zest.
- 1 can orange, tangerine, or lemon/lime sparkling water
- I use Spindrift, as it’s naturally flavored with real fruit juice.
- 1 cup cubed ice (for cocktail shaker)
- 1 small navel orange (for garnish)
- Slice into ¼-inch wheels, then cut into wedges for serving.
Instructions
- Divide the crushed ice evenly between two glasses, filling each about ¾ full.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with cubed ice, combine the freshly squeezed orange juice, vodka, and orange cordial/liqueur (if using).
- For a refined sugar-free option: Replace the orange cordial/liqueur with a splash or two of maple syrup and a bit of fresh orange zest.
- Shake well to chill and mix. Pour the mixture into the two glasses filled with crushed ice.
- Top off each glass with your choice of sparkling water (orange, tangerine, or lemon/lime).
- Gently stir the drink to combine.
- Garnish with navel orange slices or wedges. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Mocktail Option
To make this a mocktail, simply omit the vodka and orange liqueur. Replace them with additional freshly squeezed orange juice, sparkling water, and a splash of maple syrup for a refreshing, alcohol-free version.
Vodka
While many recipes call for orange or mandarin-flavored vodka, I recommend using Tito’s vodka (or another high-quality gluten-free vodka) for the best results. Pair it with a good orange cordial or liqueur for added depth of flavor.
- Gluten Sensitivity: If you have celiac disease or extreme sensitivity, you might want to confirm with the manufacturer regarding cross-contamination risks.
Orange Cordial/Liqueur
(Note: These are not refined sugar-free)
- Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao: Made with distilled alcohol from sugarcane or non-gluten grains, orange peels, and spices, this option is considered gluten-free due to its distillation process, which removes gluten proteins. However, if you have celiac disease or extreme sensitivity, it’s always best to confirm with the manufacturer regarding cross-contamination risks.
- Cointreau: A triple sec made from sugar beets and orange peels, Cointreau is also distilled, ensuring it’s gluten-free even if raw ingredients contain traces of gluten. As with Pierre Ferrand, confirm with the manufacturer if you have extreme sensitivity.
Fizz and Sweetness
Traditional orange crush recipes use Sprite for fizz and added citrus flavor. To keep this recipe refined sugar-free:
- Omit the orange liqueur and Sprite.
- Use a sparkling beverage like orange/mango, lemon, or lime-flavored Spindrift, which is naturally flavored with real fruit juice.
- Add maple syrup, 1 teaspoon at a time, for added sweetness if desired.
Refined Sugar-Free Alternatives to Orange Cordial/Liqueur
If you're looking for a refined sugar-free substitute for orange cordial/liqueur, try one of these options:
- Homemade Version: Create a blend of cognac (or another gluten-free brandy) with fresh orange zest and a natural sweetener like maple syrup. Let it infuse for a few days to mimic the flavor.
- Use Orange Juice or Zest: Incorporate freshly squeezed orange juice or zest with a natural sweetener for a lighter, refined sugar-free option.
- Prep Time: 10
- Category: Cocktail
Gustavo says
The orange crush cocktail recipe was a refreshing delight! The perfect balance of tart and sweet made it an instant favorite at our get-together. I appreciate how straightforward your method was, making it a breeze to whip up a batch for friends. Thanks for a great recipe that's sure to be a repeat on our sunny days!