They Say You Shouldn’t Drink Alone…

And, I agree. While everyone else was buying up all of the toilet paper that Charmin and Angel Soft ever made, I was thinking about how to boost my immunity to fight #TheRona. In my totally nonscientific research, I decided that I need all of the orange juice I could find. A little known fact about me is that I’m a certified bartender, so, as I sit here #socialdistancing, I can’t help but think about all of the completely irresponsible but fun ways to consume the OJ stash I have.

If you have some orange juice and spirits, let’s make some delicious OJ cocktails.

1. The Mimosa

To start, we’ll go with the bougie brunch’s basic bitch, The Mimosa. You can elevate your Mimosa by using better champagne, prosecco or even a moscato d’asti. While it may be tempting to get the cheap bubbly, a mid-range choice is going to help you avoid a headache. I like sweet cocktails, but, I think Mimosas are better with a dry sparkly alcohol than a sweet one.

Mimosas are served in champagne flutes. The long narrow glasses are meant to allow the effervescence to stay concentrated. Pull out those special flutes you got as a present. Everyday is a special occasion after all! I make mine using OJ with extra pulp and a frozen raspberry because my Momma raised a fancy girl. To make this drink, pour one part OJ and top it with 1 part bubbly. Be careful to pour in a way that minimizes fizz so that your drink doesn’t foam over the lip of the glass.

2. Fuzzy Navel

Fuzzy Navels get their name from the two ingredients. Fuzzy is for the peach and navel refers to the oranges. It has nothing to do with the need for a good wax. Peach Schnapps was the first alcohol I ever had. My ex’s parents had it in their basement bar and we thought it wasn’t “real” alcohol and more of a dessert situation. Obviously, this was before everyone carried an encyclopedia a.k.a. google; in their pocket. Needless to say we learned really quickly. To make a Fuzzy Navel, mix 1 part peach schnapps with 1 part orange juice. I like to top mine off with a splash of lime flavored sparkling water. It cuts the sweetness a bit and the carbonation makes the drink feel lighter. Try it and let me know what you think!

3. Tequila Sunrise

I may be in #socialdistancing, but I can still catch a sunrise at the beach. Don’t worry, I can watch safely from my car without interacting with anyone else. The only thing better than a sunrise, is one with Tequila. The Tequila Sunrise gets its name from the way the ingredients layer atop one another creating an ombre, sunny horizon effect. To make a Tequila Sunrise, you’ll need three ingredients, tequila, orange juice and grenadine. Real grenadine is made from pomegranate juice, orange flower water and sugar. I used to think it was cherry flavor. The stuff we use in bars is a high fructose corn syrup confection that gets the job done but is probably not as good as the real thing. I really need to make my own small batch of authentic grenadine. Let me know in the comments below if you’d be interested in doing that with me. Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour the OJ (6 parts) and tequila (3 parts) over the ice. Finally, pour the grenadine syrup (1 part) into the glass. The syrup is more viscous than the other liquids, so it will sink to the bottom creating a beautiful red orange gradient. Top it off with an orange slice and enjoy.

The last two on our list are upgrades to the classic Screwdriver – Vodka and OJ.

4. Sloe Comfortable Screw

Oh, so you nasty, huh? Do you remember when you were first old enough to go to a bar and order a drink? My girlfriends and I were living our best Sex & the City lives and would blow the whole mood because ordering a drink called Sex On The Beach or [insert other cutesy sexy drink names] would induce rounds and rounds of giggles. We were goofy, inexperienced church girls in real life pretending to be sophisticated. But, now, we don’t have to pretend. Not only can I go to the bar and order a Sloe Comfortable Screw, without flinching, I can make it myself. Read on, so that you can learn how to also.

We start this drink with an ingredient with Sloe Gin. It is a British liqueur. Sloe is a fruit related to the plum, so it imparts a kind of sweetness to the gin and Southern Comfort is a fruity, spicy liqueur. Now, is the flavor profile starting to become apparent? Mixing the tangy sweetness of the OJ with these two fruity and spicy add-ins create a mouth puckering adult beverage.

When you’re ready for a Sloe Comfortable Screw do the following: Fill a tall glass with ice and pour the Sloe Gin, SoCo and Vodka. 1 part of each and top with your OJ.

5. Harvey Wallbanger

Our last cocktail is a throwback. Not many people step up to the bar and ask for a Harvey Wallbanger these days.

When I think of a Harvey Wallbanger, I imagine a dimly lit, hazy restaurant with garnet colored brocade curtains partially pulled open so that the bright light of the day cuts like a knife through the space and lands gently on the cherry oak fixtures. Then, I look up and see a tall handsome man with a well groomed beard sitting at a booth in the back smoking a sweet and musky cigar while reading the financial papers. Is that a throwback mood or what?

To make this cocktail you will need Vodka and Galliano in addition to your orange juice. Galliano is an Italian liqueur that is flavored with anise and vanilla. Anise is similar to licorice. To create this retro refreshment, stir Vodka (1 and a half parts) and OJ with ice in a tall glass. Float the Galliano (half part) on top and garnish with a little orange twist.

It looks like we may be spending even more time #socialdistancing as our country battles this pandemic. I hope the OJ cocktails previewed here help you relax and takes your mind off of the woes of the world. I wish you and your family health and wellness. . Let’s get together again soon and talk about life. #TheFlossieLife

Comment below if you’ve ever had any of these cocktails. Also, let me know what is your go-to juice mixer.

Stay Flossie,

Lynnell

Social Distancing with Florida Inspired Orange Juice Cocktails