Theo Nash
Oranges are a versatile fruit with a range of uses, including as an ingredient in alcoholic beverages. When it comes to creating cocktails, fresh orange juice is an essential component for any well-stocked bar. From the iconic Screwdriver to the retro Harvey Wallbanger, orange juice has been a key ingredient in cocktails since the early 1900s. Beyond cocktails, is there an alcoholic beverage made solely from oranges, and if so, what is it called?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Pruno, prison hooch, prison wine, screwdriver, mimosa, tequila sunrise, orange creamsicle, madras, sangria, Aperol Spritz, and more |
| Ingredients | Oranges, apples, fruit cocktail, fruit juices, hard candy, sugar, high fructose syrup, crumbled bread, vodka, amaretto, light beer, brandy, and more |
| Alcohol Content | 2-14% |
| Taste | Described as a "bile-flavored wine cooler" |
| Preparation | Can be made using a plastic bag, hot running water, and a towel or sock to conceal the pulp during fermentation |
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What You'll Learn
Screwdriver
The screwdriver is a classic, straightforward cocktail comprising vodka and orange juice. It is traditionally served in a highball glass, and its refreshing taste combines sweet and bright citrus flavours with the neutral taste of vodka. The screwdriver is known for its simplicity, versatility, and ease of preparation, making it a staple in the cocktail world.
The origin of the screwdriver cocktail is somewhat disputed, with a variety of colourful stories surrounding its creation. One of the most popular origin stories attributes the screwdriver to American marines during World War II, who would mix vodka with orange juice. Another story mentions a gathering of Turkish spies, Balkan refugees, and American engineers in post-war Europe, specifically in Ankara, Turkey, in 1943 and 1944, and later in Istanbul, where they drank vodka with orange juice, calling it a "screwdriver".
One of the more unique stories suggests that American oil workers in the Persian Gulf in the mid-20th century used actual screwdrivers to stir their drinks, hence the name. This story is supported by a 1949 edition of Time magazine, which mentions "American engineers" drinking "vodka and orange juice, called a 'screwdriver'". The popularity of the screwdriver rose with the rise in popularity of vodka in America starting in the mid-1950s. Vodka brands such as Smirnoff further cemented the screwdriver as a favourite vodka cocktail through advertising campaigns in the 1950s and 1960s.
The screwdriver has endless variations, allowing drinkers to experiment with flavours and ingredients. For example, a "sloe comfortable screw" or "slow comfortable screw" is made with two parts sloe gin, one part Southern Comfort, and filled with orange juice. A "virgin screwdriver" is a non-alcoholic variation, usually made with orange juice and tonic water.
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Mimosa
A mimosa is a classic cocktail that is perfect for any occasion, from a lazy weekend brunch to a wedding. It is a simple yet elegant drink, typically made with equal parts sparkling wine and orange juice. The cocktail is named after the bright yellow, fragrant flowers of the mimosa Acacia dealbata. While the exact origin of the drink is unclear, it is often associated with Frank Meier, a bartender and cocktail writer at the Paris Ritz in the 1930s.
To make a classic mimosa, simply combine 1/3 cup of chilled sparkling wine with 1/3 cup of chilled orange juice in a champagne flute. The type of sparkling wine used can vary depending on your preference and budget. Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, or an American sparkling wine can all be used. When it comes to orange juice, fresh-squeezed juice is recommended as it adds a fresher, lighter, and more delicate taste to the cocktail.
There are also numerous variations of the classic mimosa that you can experiment with. For a stronger orange flavor, add a splash of orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Triple Sec to create a Grand Mimosa. You can also replace some of the orange juice with blood orange or grapefruit juice, or add a tablespoon of peach or strawberry puree to the bottom of the glass. For a tropical twist, try the Hawaiian mimosa, which includes rum, champagne, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cherry juice. If you're feeling adventurous, the sherbet mimosa replaces the orange juice with a scoop of sherbet, or you could opt for the lychee rose mimosa, made with champagne, lychee, and rosewater.
No matter which variation you choose, mimosas are a delightful and refreshing cocktail that can be enjoyed at any celebration or even on a lazy Sunday morning. So, go ahead and pour yourself a glass—or make a pitcher and share the joy with your guests!
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Tequila Sunrise
The Tequila Sunrise is an alcoholic drink made from oranges, among other ingredients. It is a cocktail that combines tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup. The drink is served unmixed in a tall glass, usually a collins or highball glass, to preserve the gradations of colour that resemble an inverted sunrise. The drink is made by pouring in tequila, then orange juice, and grenadine last. The signature look is created by adding the grenadine without mixing with the other ingredients.
The Tequila Sunrise cocktail was created in the early 1970s by Bobby Lozoff and Billy Rice at the Trident bar in Sausalito, California. However, an earlier iteration of the drink was created in the 1930s or 1940s in Phoenix, Arizona, by Gene Sulit at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. This original version contained tequila, crème de cassis, lime juice, and soda water. The more popular modern version, as created by Lozoff and Rice, gained notoriety after a member of the Rolling Stones—Mick Jagger or Keith Richards, according to different sources—tasted it at a party to kick off the band's 1972 tour. The Rolling Stones began ordering the cocktail at stops across the country, even dubbing the tour "the cocaine and Tequila Sunrise tour", which helped to propel the drink's popularity.
In 1973, Jose Cuervo picked up on the new drink as a marketing opportunity and put the recipe on the back of their tequila bottles. That same year, the Eagles recorded a song called "Tequila Sunrise" for their Desperado album as the drink was soaring in popularity. In 1988, a successful film of the same name was released, starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Mel Gibson, and Kurt Russell.
The Tequila Sunrise is considered a classic cocktail, despite having originated in an era not known for its cocktails. It has been described as a surprisingly good drink, especially when made with fresh ingredients and high-quality tequila. However, when made with cheap tequila, processed juice, and artificial grenadine, it can be difficult to enjoy.
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Orange-based cocktails
Oranges are a versatile fruit that can be used in many cocktails. One of the most well-known cocktails made with orange juice is the Screwdriver, which is a simple mixture of orange juice and vodka. However, there are many other cocktails that use orange juice as a key ingredient.
One such cocktail is the Orange Crush, which is a popular drink in Ocean City, Maryland. It is made with freshly squeezed orange juice, vodka, and lemon-lime soda, and is the perfect refreshing drink for summer. Another cocktail that uses orange juice is the Aperol Spritz, which can be made by swapping out the Aperol with Campari and adding blood orange juice, Prosecco, and grapefruit-flavoured sparkling water.
For a more tropical cocktail, orange juice can be combined with white rum, gin, brandy, and sherry, and tied together with orgeat. Or, for a twist on a classic, try a mimosa made with orange syrup and orange liqueur instead of traditional orange juice.
Oranges can also be used to make prison hooch, also known as pruno, which is an improvised alcoholic beverage made with various ingredients, including oranges, fruit juices, and sugar. However, it is important to note that pruno is illegal and often made in prisons where inmates are not permitted to have alcoholic beverages.
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Pruno
The production of pruno in prisons is illegal, and correctional officers confiscate it whenever they find it. To avoid detection, inmates hide their pruno under bunks, inside toilets, walls, trash cans, and anywhere they believe is safe. The process of making pruno can be dangerous, with reported botulism outbreaks in 2004 and 2005 attributed to potatoes used in its production.
Outside of prisons, pruno can be made at home using fruit cocktail, mixed fruit, and juice. The mixture is strained, bottled, and chilled before serving. While pruno made in prisons may not taste very good due to limited ingredients, homemade pruno can be enhanced by using ascorbic acid to improve the flavour.
Overall, pruno is a creative yet potentially risky solution for inmates seeking to produce alcoholic beverages with limited resources. Its production and consumption in prisons are closely monitored, but it has also sparked curiosity among those interested in home brewing.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several alcoholic drinks that contain oranges or orange juice. Some of the most common ones are the Screwdriver, Mimosa, and Tequila Sunrise. Other drinks include the Orange Creamsicle, the Madras, and the Commodore No. 2.
Some cocktails that feature orange as a primary ingredient include the Abbey Cocktail, which is a gin martini with orange bitters, and the Spanish Sangria, which includes white wine, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and brandy. Another example is the Aperol Spritz variation, which includes Campari, blood orange juice, Prosecco, and grapefruit-flavored sparkling water.
In the United States, an improvised alcoholic beverage made from oranges or other fruits is called "pruno" or "prison hooch/wine". It is often made by inmates using a limited selection of equipment and ingredients, such as apples, oranges, fruit juices, and sugar.
