A screwdriver is vodka and orange juice. Just two ingredients, nothing complicated. What makes or breaks this cocktail is the orange juice you use though.

Fresh-squeezed OJ will always be better than something store-bought in a carton. Fresh is more tart, and tastes more like the fruit. If you have a citrus juicer at home, this is the perfect time to use it.

I grow oranges and tangerine trees in my yard, and depending on what is in season, I’ll use either to make a screwdriver. Tangerine juice is sweeter and a little more floral.

Once my blood orange tree starts to fruit, I’ll have another great option. It turns the drink a deep pink-red color and has a slightly bitter edge that balances the vodka better than regular orange juice.

Does the vodka matter?

Yes, because a harsh vodka will show up on the back end, so you want to use something smooth like Tito’s or Ketel One. Nothing fancy is required.

Ratio

Try 2 oz vodka with 4 oz orange juice. If you’re using fresh-squeezed, go slightly lighter on the juice. Fresh is more intense than store-bought and can overpower the vodka. Try 3 oz of fresh juice with 2 oz of vodka, and adjust from there.

The 3-Ingredient Upgrade: Sunset

Slowly pour half an ounce of grenadine down the inside of the glass after you’ve built the drink. It sinks to the bottom and creates a gradient effect.

Do not stir it! Let it swirl as you drink.

The grenadine adds a slight tartness that complements the orange juice, making it the vodka version of a Tequila Sunrise.

For a deeper color and more complexity, use blood orange juice instead of regular OJ.

Mocktail Version

Mix fresh orange juice with a splash of sparkling water and a float of grenadine. It’s a bit more interesting than plain juice and it looks great for baby showers. Use blood orange if you can find it.

Garnish

Simply pop an orange slice on the rim is the classic. A blood orange wheel is even better, but can be harder to come by depending on the season.

Dehydrated blood orange slices work well if you want something that holds up on the rim without getting soggy.

More ideas in my cocktail garnishes guide.

Other vodka cocktails to try:

• Smoked Greyhound
• Citrus Grove Martini
• Lavender Salty Dog

More 2-Ingredient Vodka Cocktails:

• Vodka Apple
• Vodka Coffee
• Vodka Cranberry
• Vodka Guava
• Vodka Iced Tea
• Vodka Lemonade
• Vodka Pineapple
• Vodka Soda
• Vodka Sprite
• Vodka Tonic
• Vodka Watermelon
• Screwdriver

Screwdriver

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 oz orange juice (fresh-squeezed preferred)
• Orange slice, for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add vodka.
3. Top with orange juice and stir gently.
4. Garnish with an orange slice.

Sunset Upgrade (3-Ingredient Version)

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 oz orange juice (or blood orange juice)
• ½ oz grenadine
• Orange slice, for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add vodka.
3. Top with orange juice and stir gently.
4. Slowly pour grenadine down the inside of the glass. Do not stir.
5. Garnish with an orange slice.