Easy
Fresh & Fruity
2 Minutes
Highball Glass
Ingredients
The Screwdriver is a cocktail that contains only two ingredients – Orange Juice and Vodka. But don’t underestimate this cocktail classic; it’s classic for a reason.
The Screwdriver is a guaranteed crowd pleaser and a favorite drink among those new to cocktails as well as aficionados. You see, it’s one of those cocktails that works for just about any occasion and is especially great at summer parties and barbecues
How To Make a screwdriver Cocktail
Bar tools you’ll need
Jigger
Knife
How to Mix
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Fill a Highball Glass with Ice Cubes.
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Use a Jigger (or measuring instrument) to measure and pour Absolut Vodka into the Glass.
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Top up with Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice.
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Garnish with an Orange Wedge.
Watch Rico show how to make THE perfect Screwdriver cocktail!
All about the Screwdriver drink
The Screwdriver is an easy-to-make vodka cocktail made with just two ingredients – vodka and orange juice. It’s a classic for a reason.
When made correctly, a Screwdriver cocktail should taste like freshly squeezed Orange Juice mixed with smooth Vodka, which softens any acidity.
“It tastes like heaven. The fact is the aeration of the juice makes such a difference. It makes it fresh, it makes it orange forward, just a really damn good drink! It’s just delicious,” shares Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador.
As with most cocktails, there are different stories about the Screwdriver’s history. The most popular story suggests that American oil workers in the Persian Gulf would mix a splash of Vodka with their Orange Juice so their bosses wouldn’t notice they were drinking on the job. They didn’t have a spoon to mix the drink so they would use a screwdriver instead!
OK, so when was the Screwdriver cocktail invented? Although there are debates about how the Screwdriver was invented, most stories are consistent and suggest that it was invented in the late 1940s.
The Screwdriver cocktail has become very popular over the years and is often served as an alternative for Mimosas at brunch or anytime you feel like enjoying a nice fruity cocktail.
- Harvey Wallbanger
So, you’ve succeeded in making a fluffy Screwdriver. Congrats! Now you’re just one simple step away from having a swell Harvey Wallbanger in your hands!! Here’s how to make a Harvey Wallbanger. - Greyhound
Is there such thing as too much Grapefruit? Of course not! If you love Grapefruit, you’re gonna love the Greyhound cocktail. Mix1.5 oz (45ml / 1 ½ Parts) Absolut Grapefruit, 3 oz (45 ml / 3 Parts) Grapefruit Juice and 1 Twist Grapefruit Zest and you’ve got yourself one delicious Grapefruit-y cocktail! Check out our Greyhound recipe here. - Sex on the Beach
The Sex on the Beach is one of those classics that never seem to go out of style. Why? It’s pretty, it’s delicious and it’s damn easy to make (especially if you’ve already got fresh Oranges and Vodka at home). Discover our Sex on the Beach recipe.
- Aerate your juice
To make the perfect Screwdriver, you’re going to need to make your own orange juice.Just by aeration through a centrifugal juicer, you’re gonna elevate this to the levels of world-class cocktail,” shares Rico. “If you don’t have a powerful juicer at home to aerate your drink, just use a hand mixer. All the bubbles, all the aeration of the orange juice is gonna really elevate the flavor,” he adds.Depending on the type of Orange you use, for example, a Navel Orange vs a Valencia Orange, the taste can vary quite a lot. Valencia Oranges have a slightly bitter tang alongside their sweetness, whereas Navel Oranges are known only for their sweet flavor.Tip! Watch this video where Rico shows how you can get more juice out of your juice.
- Reduce the calories
If you want to make a Screwdriver drink with less sugar, it’s important to remember that all fruit, including Oranges contains natural sugar known as fruit sugar or fructose. A large orange typically contains between 14 and 17g of sugar. A lot of the bottled Orange Juice in supermarkets contains added sugar. As a rule, it’s always better to make your own Orange Juice by squeezing Oranges yourself using an Orange Press to avoid added sugars and preservatives.
Serve your Screwdriver in a Highball Glass and garnish with an Orange Slice and serve. Voila – a cocktail fit for any occasion!
It tastes like heaven. The fact is the aeration of the juice makes such a difference. It makes it fresh, it makes it orange forward, just a really damn good drink! It's just delicious.
Bartender and Global Brand Ambassador
Screwdriver Cocktail FAQ
As we mentioned earlier, the history of the Screwdriver drink is the subject of debate. One prevalent tale suggests that American oil workers would mix Vodka with their Orange Juice to discreetly drink on the job without their supervisors noticing. Lacking a spoon, they apparently used a screwdriver as an improvised mixing tool.
Vodka. In fact, the Screwdriver is one of the most popular and well-known Vodka cocktails. Ask a few of your friends what their favorite cocktail is and it’s safe to say that the Screwdriver will come up more than once.
Valencia Oranges have a slightly bitter tang alongside their sweetness, whereas Navel Oranges are known only for their sweet flavor. Change it up and see which you prefer.
We highly recommend using a Centrifugal Juicer, but you can also squeeze the Oranges by hand. However, a centrifugal juicer is gonna take your Screwdriver to the next level – and any other juice cocktail for that matter. No, really.
Ever drank a Screwdriver and there was a wonderful frothy layer on top? Yep, that’s thanks to a Centrifugal Juicer. A Centrifugal Juicer will give your Screwdriver an almost milkshake-y texture. Ooooh, that mouthfeel! Don’t have a juice centrifuge at home? You can also make aerated juice by using an immersion blender.
Don’t miss this video where Rico shows how to aerate your juice.
A Highball Glass is the perfect Screwdriver cocktail glass. But any tall glass you have at home will work fine as long as there is enough room for the Ice Cubes.
