Full-bodied, tart and sweet, the combination of Whiskey and Orange Juice is destined to be long remembered.
As we slowly bring ourselves to face the new year after a wondrous and celebratory holiday season, some of us are finding the aches and pains of late nights and loud toasts with friends and family to be a little harder to recover from. Not that we went crazy and started jumping off of rooftops into swimming pools—unless that was you, and if you survived, nice—but with each new year that is rung in, the nights end earlier and the bones creak just a little more than we’re used to.
Usually, I spend the first few mornings after the holidays finishing off the bottles of Prosecco and champagne I have with a little fresh orange juice to accompany my breakfasts. As I ease myself back into work and writing mode, the citrusy-flavored bubbles help to add a sparkle to my day, if I can paraphrase You Only Live Twice. This year, however, I felt I needed something a little stronger to round out my Christmas vacation.
Tonight’s drink fit the bill perfectly, the Whiskey and Orange Juice. Simple and quick to whip up for yourself, this concoction is one you might not have heard of, but will wonder why after you’ve taken your first sip. The robust spiciness of a good, strong whiskey mixed with the sweet and tangy flavors of freshly squeezed orange juice is a fantastic combination. It’ll remind you a little of a classic Whiskey Sour, but with stronger, fruitier notes from the use of the juice. The orange flavor melds beautifully with the golden brown spirit, neither hiding it nor becoming overwhelmed in turn. Just a beautifully balanced and biting tipple is what you get.
What Is The Best Whiskey To Use In A Whiskey and Orange Juice?
The best whiskey to use in this drink is your favorite. For me, I love a peppery, spicy and biting rye whiskey, either straight up, on the rocks or in a cocktail. An Irish whiskey will be smooth and buttery, while a Japanese whisky will lean toward a scotch profile. If you find yourself being indecisive, you can’t go wrong with a classic bottle of Jack Daniel’s. All of these will mix nicely with the orange juice, and each will bring its own subtle differences.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces whiskey
- 4 ounces orange juice
- 3 dashes bitters optional
- Orange slice for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Fill a rock glass with ice cubes.
- Pour 2 ounces of whiskey over the ice.
- Add 4 ounces of orange juice and stir to combine.
- Optionally, top with bitters and garnish with an orange slice. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH IS USED?
Fill a rocks glass with ice or a large cocktail cube. Pour your drink over the ice and garnish with a slice of orange and a dash of bitters.
CAN YOU MAKE A CARBONATED VERSION OF THIS DRINK?
If you feel like a little fizz in your Whiskey and Orange Juice, you can top off your mixture with a little club soda, or even an orange-flavored soft drink such as Sunkist or Fanta.
Similar Cocktails To Whiskey and Orange Juice
Where would the cocktail world be without the buoyancy of citrus? For starters, many of our favorite drinks probably wouldn’t be as well-loved, or they might not even exist altogether. Something as simple as a Whiskey and Orange Juice can hit all the right notes, so if your taste buds are crying out for the sweet and tart tang of lemons, limes and oranges to go with your favorite liquor, check these recipes out below.
- Blood-Orange Paloma – Take this intense-tasting and fruity drink for a spin this weekend.
- Screwdriver – The classic combo of vodka and orange juice is always in vogue.
- Bourbon Lemonade – Smoky, smooth and citrusy, the Bourbon Lemonade is sure to quench your thirst on a hot summer’s day.
- Tequila Limeade – This ice-cold tipple also brings the heat with fresh jalapeños.
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