Simple Orange Crush Cocktail Recipe

“Crab cakes and orange crushes, THAT’s what Maryland does.” – Wedding Crashers (the Chesapeake Bartender version)

Okay, so maybe that isn’t exactly how the movie line went…but still, we Marylanders know all to well that our beloved Orange Crush cocktail is a staple at any bar based in the Free State. We are willing to bet that any Maryland bartender who has been slinging drinks for a few years knows exactly how to make this refreshing, summery drink.

But in case they don’t (we won’t judge), you can show them this handy dandy orange crush recipe, or better yet, you can whip it up at home anytime with a few simple ingredients.

 

How To Make A Classic Orange Crush Cocktail At Home

Ingredients:

  • Orange Vodka
  • Triple Sec (or orange liqueur)
  • Sprite
  • Fresh Oranges (to make fresh squeezed orange juice)

What you will need:

  • Cups/glasses
  • Ice
  • A cup for shaking (to mix the ingredients)

Optional Enhancements:

  • Reggae tunes
  • Citronella Candles
  • Boat
  • Views of the Chesapeake Bay

 

Prep:

Be sure to have fresh oranges on hand, as these are what can make or break an orange crush. The key to this cocktail is fresh squeezed orange juice. If you do not have oranges, our go-to is the fresh squeezed orange juice from Trader Joe’s (it is half the price of the Whole Foods fresh squeezed oj and just as yummy). 

Preparing the oranges: Personally, I like oranges to be cut in quarters because I think they are easier to squeeze and get lots of juice, with minimal mess. Some people prefer fancy juicers (they are great too), and some like to half the orange before squeezing it (by half the orange, I mean cut the orange in half). You do you boo! It doesn’t matter how you juice your orange, as long as you add it to the cocktail.

Step 1: Grab a large cup (we prefer a good old Red Solo cup) and fill to the top with ice.

Step 2: Pour 1.5 oz orange vodka over ice.

Step 3: Pour 1 oz Triple Sec (or orange liqueur) over ice.

Step 4: Pour 3 oz sprite

Step 5: Squeeze orange over the ice

Step 5: Use empty shaker cup and pour contents back and forth between cup and shaker cup to mix all ingredients

Step 6: Sip and enjoy!

Skinny Orange Crush Recipe

For those who prefer their orange crush with less sugar, here is the “Skinny Orange Crush Recipe:”

Ingredients:

  • Orange Vodka
  • Club Soda
  • Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

Other Popular Crush Recipes:

Grapefruit Crush:
  • Grapefruit Vodka
  • Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
  • Sprite
  • Triple Sec
Margarita Crush:
  • Tequila
  • Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
  • Sprite
  • Triple Sec
  • Garnish with a fresh squeeze of lime
Pineapple Crush:
  • Pineapple Vodka
  • Fresh Pineapple Juice
  • Sprite
  • Triple Sec
Mermaid Crush:
  • 1/2 Grapefruit Vodka + 1/2 Orange Vodka
  • 1/2 Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice + 1/2 Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
  • Triple Sec
  • Sprite

Let us know what you think of our classic Orange Crush recipe! We offer orange crushes at many private events. Ask for details if you would like to host an event with orange crushes. Cheers!

 

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Tips and Directions For Creating Your Valentine’s Kit Cocktails

Please Scroll On To Find Your Cocktail Kit, Along With Detailed Instructions For Serving:

 

TIP: Everyone has a different preference in regards to what is “too sweet” or “not sweet enough.” We try to strike a balance to please everyone, but if the cocktail is not to your liking, here are some options.

 

  • Not Sweet Enough: You can add a little sugar or agave syrup. This is a great option for margaritas, sangrias, etc. For margaritas, you can also try adding a bit of orange juice, pineapple juice or even grenadine if you have them on hand.

 

  • Too Sweet: Maybe the cocktail is too sweet (this Valentine’s menu is DECADENT), so if you need to decrease the sugary taste, you can add club soda – ideal for sangria, or even margaritas. Water is a great option as well. If you want to lessen the sweet taste of a chocolate or dessert drink, that is tougher to do, but can be achieved by adding more of a less sweet liquor (ie. vodka, rum, tequila) if you have that on hand.

 

Orange Chocolate Margaritas

Due to supply shortages, we were unable to get clear Creme de Cacao. Don’t worry, that won’t change the taste of your margaritas! BUT we did update the presentation of the cocktail and swapped out clear Creme de Cacao with Dark Creme de Cacao. If we pre-mixed the dark Creme de Cacao, your margarita would still taste delicious, but the color might be less than ideal.

Instead of adding the dark Creme de Cacao to your margaritas, we added it on the side in a sealed carafe. Here is how we recommend serving your orange chocolate margaritas: 

 

  1. Fill serving glasses with ice
  2. Stir carafe with pre-mixed margaritas
  3. Pour margarita mix over ice (allowing enough room to add Creme de Cacao on top)
  4. Then, take the carafe of dark Creme de Cacao and pour a splash on top of your margarita
  5. The dark liqueur will sink to the bottom, creating a “layering” affect – so your margarita should have the brown color on the bottom, and the lighter color on top.
  6. Grab your dark chocolate shavings and sprinkle them on top of your margarita
  7. Top with one dehydrated orange garnish.
  8. Sip and enjoy!

    Chocolate Cherry Sangria

    Lucky for you, this is a very simple cocktail to serve!

    1. Fill serving glasses with ice
    2. Stir chocolate cherry sangria in carafe
    3. Pour over ice
    4. Sip and Enjoy!

 

White Strawberry Sangria + Classic Red/White Sangria

 

    1. Add desired amount of fresh fruit garnish to glass
    2. Add ice cubes after adding fruit
    3. Stir white strawberry sangria in carafe
    4. Pour over ice
    5. Sip and Enjoy!

 

Chocolate Martinis

These cocktail can be served “up” as a martini or over ice. Your choice!

    1. Select your preferred glass
    2. Dip rim of glass in simple syrup to coat it (provided in clear container in your cocktail kit bag)
    3. Then, dip rim of glass in crushed chocolate cookie crumbles (provided in your cocktail kit bag)
    4. Set glass upright
    5. If serving as a martini, pour premixed chocolate martini into glass without ice (make sure to keep your cocktails chilled)
    6. If serving over ice, add ice to rimmed glass and pour chocolate martini mix over ice
    7. Garnish with shaved chocolate.
    8. Sip and Enjoy!

 

Chocolate Old Fashioned

 

We actually created a separate page for this, so CLICK HERE to navigate to the page

 

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Chocolate Old Fashioned Recipe

Ready to Make Your Own DIY Chocolate Old Fashioned?

 

If you purchased our Chocolate Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit, or simply have the ingredients and want to whip up this classic cocktail, read on! It really is as easy as 1-2-3!

The old fashioned is a cocktail made by muddling sugar cubes with chocolate bitters and water, adding bourbon and garnishing with orange slice and a cocktail cherry. It is traditionally served in an old fashioned glass, which predated the cocktail.

Ingredients:

Preparation: 

1. Place sugar cube in old fashioned glass and saturate with bitters, add a dash of plain water.
2. Muddle (smush with a muddler or spoon until dissolved).
3. Fill the glass with ice cubes and add Jack Daniels Garnish with orange slice, and an Amarena cherry (we provided small packets containing 2 Amarena cherries).
See? Easy as 1-2-3! 

Optional:

When muddling the chocolate bitters and sugar cubes, add orange slice and Amarena cherry together. Then, top with ice cubes and pour Jack Daniels  or your favorite bourbon whiskey over ice. Enjoy!
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Orange Crush and Margarita Cocktail Kits Delivered To You

Are you in the mood for one of Maryland’s most famous cocktails…the orange crush? Or perhaps you are craving a perfectly crafted margarita. Sometimes the pre-mixed stuff at the store doesn’t cut it. That’s why the professional bartending team at Chesapeake Bartenders created fresh, custom crafted cocktail kits, delivered straight to your doorstep! We offer free delivery in Anne Arundel and Queen Anne’s Counties. You can order various sizes, such as 1 sealed carafe, 2 sealed carafes or even a mix n match 6 pack of carafes. We make them just before delivering them, and include garnishes in your own gift bag.

Orange Crushes

This refreshing drink is made of orange vodka, triple sec, sprite and fresh-squeezed orange juice. You can order it skinny as well, which replaces the sprite with club soda. You can also hold the triple sec if you want it less sweet.

Ingredients:

  • Orange Vodka
  • Triple Sec
  • Sprite
  • Orange Juice

We mix everything in the sealed carafe, with the exception of the fresh squeezed orange juice. We do however, provide the sliced oranges on the side so you can just pour your cocktail over ice, and squeeze the orange on top.

* If you prefer we add the fresh squeezed juice, please note it during your order. We are happy to accommodate your request.

Orange Crush Cocktail Kit Sizes

  • One 35 oz carafe ($40)
  • Two 35 oz carafes ($75) – save $5
  • Six 35 oz carafes ($150) – save $90

Margarita Cocktail Kits

This classic cocktail is always a crowd pleaser. Whether you are planning on Taco Tuesday, want something more festive than beer or wine, or you just have a hankering for a margarita, this is the cocktail kit for you!

Ingredients:

  • Tequila (pick silver or gold)
  • Triple Sec
  • Sour Mix
  • Orange Juice
  • Fresh squeezed lime juice

Margarita Cocktail Kit Sizes

  • One 35 oz carafe ($40)
  • Two 35 oz carafes ($75) – save $5
  • Six 35 oz carafes ($150) – save $90

Mix n Match 6 Packs

If you select the 6 pack, you can mix and match margaritas and orange crushes. Just let us know exactly how many of each cocktail you would like.

 

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