This morning glass of OJ is coming right up!
Because it’s the first day of summer and it’s totally appropriate to drink this on the beach. In the morning. Or at least at brunch. There. We’re safe now.
Let me tell you about the orange crush!
Because as basic as this glass looks, I could not be more excited to tell you about this little orange crush baby. But here’s the thing… I had never had an orange crush. Ever!
MY OTHER RECIPESUntil now.
Lacy was telling me about the orange crush cocktails served in Ocean City and how refreshing and delicious they are in the hot summer sun. Even though my east coast-loving self has never been to Ocean City, you’ve heard me ramble on about going to Wildwood and Cape May every year and now I’m thinking… why didn’t they serve those there?!
Or maybe they did. And I totally missed it.
It wasn’t exactly like we were going to bars or even up to the boardwalk. We were just weirdos who would sit on the beach until 8PM, then go up to the pool, then have a snack, then maybe have dinner, then drink and play cards in our condos until 2 or 3. In the morning!
And we weren’t with friends. We were with… our moms. And dads. And families!
This is why I can never stop talking about my family vacations. Ha.
But anyhooooo. Orange crush. Let’s do it.
I know that I’m really sangria-heavy here on the blog. The same could be said for margaritas, mojitos and basically any kind of punch. Or insert rosé or another millennial-loving drink here.
Which is why I’m shocked when I tell you that this might be my new hot summer drink. YES. I may pass right over the rose and the sangria because this? It’s so refreshing and delicious. Like on another level.
Right now, I’m into it more than the lavender sangria, which is wild.
And!
Let me clarify for minute.
I don’t like screwdrivers.
I don’t even love mimosas – unless they are made with grapefruit juice or blood orange juice or something other than plain orange juice, you know?
Any sort of orange juice based cocktail makes me just… meh. Maybe I had too much of it in college?
Even orange juice at breakfast. I couldn’t care less about it.
So these? They came as a shock.
The entire juiced orange is the game changer. I used my smeg juicer because that thing gets every last ounce of juice out of citrus. Plus, it helps that it looks cute on the counter. And that Max can use it and juice with me too.
Errr, not for this. You get it.
That juiced orange though? While I’m really on the nostalgia throwback train, it makes it taste like something from Orange Julius, but even better. More refreshing and light. Almost creamsicle-like even though there is no vanilla.
There is also vodka. You can’t even taste it, so yes… we’re all in trouble.
There is supposed to be Triple Sec, but I always have Grand Marnier on hand (because I love It in margaritas!) and it was perfect here.
You top it off with lemon lime soda – so whatever version of that you’re into? Go for it.
I did a slice of orange. A sprig of mint. And a big fat straw because you will want to suck these down.
THEY ARE SO DELICIOUS!
Orange Crush
Ingredients:
- 1 navel orange, freshly juiced
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce grand marnier (or another orange liqueur
- 3 to 4 ounces lemon-lime soda (like sprite or 7UP)
- orange wedges for garnish
- a sprig of fresh mint
Directions:
Fill a glass with crushed ice. Pour the vodka, grand marnier and fresh orange juice in the glass. Give it a gentle stir. Top it off with the soda, an orange wedge and a few mint leaf. Serve!
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Even if it looks like nothing it’s the most wonderful nothing ever.
