Strawberry Orange Juice

Are you craving a refreshing drink that’s perfect for breakfast, happy hour, or parties? Look no further than this delightful Strawberry Orange Juice recipe! With its blend of sweet strawberries and citrus oranges, this juice is not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients to renew you on hot summer days.

In this blog post, I’ll guide you through creating this irresistible drink using fresh strawberries and freshly squeezed orange juice. Whether you enjoy it on its own or as a base for creative concoctions, this Strawberry Orange Juice is sure to become a favorite in your household.

Strawberry Orange Juice Ingredients 

Fresh, ripe, in-season strawberries: For flavorful juice, use fresh, ripe strawberries. Organic strawberries are recommended to avoid pesticides. Frozen strawberries can also be used.

Orange juice: Adds a slight sour and enhances the sweetness of the juice. Freshly squeezed orange juice is preferred, but store-bought can also be used.

Sweetener (Optional): Sometimes, strawberries are not sweet enough, so in that case you should use sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, sugar e.t.c

How To Make Orange Strawberry Juice 

Freshness is Key: Start with fresh strawberries—ripe and sweet strawberries will make all the difference in the flavor of your drink. Remove the stems and slice them into smaller pieces for easier blending.

Optional Sweetener: Add your sweetener (maple syrup, honey, or sugar) directly to the strawberries before blending. This will help the sugar dissolve more easily, especially if you’re using granulated sugar.

Blending the Strawberry Puree:

Blender Setup: Place the chopped strawberries and sweetener (like maple syrup or sugar) into a high-speed blender. Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is completely smooth and pureed. If you like a bit of texture in your drink, you can blend it for a slightly shorter time.

Consistency: The puree should have a thick but smooth consistency. You can adjust the texture by adding a little water if you prefer a thinner consistency.

Juicing the Oranges:

For the freshest taste, it’s best to use freshly squeezed orange juice. You’ll need about 4 cups of chilled orange juice for this recipe. If you’re using store-bought juice, ensure it’s 100% pure orange juice without added sugar or preservatives for the best flavor.

Assembling the Drink:

Combine the Ingredients: Pour the chilled orange juice into a tall glass. Then slowly pour in the strawberry puree over the back of a spoon or down the side of the glass so that the two liquids swirl together gently. The result will be a beautiful, layered look with vibrant red and orange swirls.

Garnishing:

Final Touch: For an elegant finish, add a fresh strawberry slice to the rim of the glass for a decorative touch. You can also add a mint sprig for an extra burst of color and a refreshing aroma.

Pro Tips 

Chill Your Ingredients: Ensure both your orange juice and strawberries are chilled before starting. This will help your drink stay cold without the need to dilute it with extra ice.

Blender Tips: When blending, pulse the blender a few times before turning it on fully to break up the strawberries without overloading the blades. This helps ensure a smoother texture.

Sweetness Adjustment: Taste the strawberry puree before adding it to the orange juice. If you prefer a sweeter drink, add a bit more maple syrup or sugar until you reach your desired sweetness.

Straining the Puree: If you prefer a completely smooth drink without any pulp or seeds, strain the strawberry puree through a fine-mesh sieve before adding it to the orange juice.

Layering the Drink: To get a more pronounced swirl effect, pour the strawberry puree slowly over the back of a spoon, rather than directly into the juice. This creates a more visually appealing drink.

Variations and Substitutions

Sweetener Substitutes:

Honey or Agave Syrup: Both honey and agave syrup are great substitutes for maple syrup, and will add a distinct flavor profile to the drink. Honey, in particular, will lend a floral note.

Sugar-Free Sweeteners: If you’re looking for a sugar-free option, you can use stevia or monk fruit sweetener to keep the drink low-calorie while still maintaining sweetness.

Fruit Substitutes:

Other Berries: Swap the strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries to change the flavor. These berries will work similarly in this recipe.

Tropical Fruits: For a tropical twist, you can blend in fruits like mango, pineapple, or peach. These fruits pair well with orange juice and add a tropical flair.

Additions for Extra Flavor

Lime Juice: For an extra tangy kick, squeeze in some lime juice alongside the orange juice. The lime will brighten the overall flavor and balance the sweetness.

Mint Leaves: Adding fresh mint to the strawberry puree or as a garnish can give the drink an aromatic freshness.

Ginger: A small amount of fresh ginger can be grated and added to the puree to give the drink a spicy edge. It will complement the sweetness of the berries and the citrusy tang of the orange juice.

Frozen Option: If you prefer a frozen version of this drink, add some ice cubes or frozen strawberries to the blender along with the other ingredients. This will turn the drink into a thick smoothie, perfect for a hot day.

Coconut Water: For a more hydrating, refreshing drink, substitute some or all of the orange juice with coconut water. It will give the drink a tropical flavor while providing electrolytes.

Sparkling Version: If you like some fizz, top off the drink with sparkling water or club soda instead of using still orange juice. This turns it into a sparkling, refreshing spritz.

Alcoholic Version: For a fun twist, you could turn this into an adult beverage by adding rum, vodka, or prosecco for a light cocktail. A splash of lime juice can also complement the alcohol and add brightness.

Enjoy Your Drink!

This Strawberry-Orange Juice is a wonderful combination of sweet and tart flavors, perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re making it for breakfast, a brunch gathering, or just as a refreshing drink on a hot day, it’s sure to be a hit! Play around with the variations to make it your own and enjoy the vibrant, refreshing taste.

How To Store 

Refrigerator Storage

After making strawberry orange juice, it’s best to drink it right away. If you have any juice left, you can keep it in a closed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Before you drink the juice from the fridge, mix it up a little to blend everything back together.

Freezer Storage

If you want to keep the juice for longer, you can freeze it for up to 2 months. Pour the juice into bags or ice cube trays and put them in the freezer. You can use the frozen juice in smoothies, slushies, or let it thaw and drink it.

More Strawberry Drinks

• Strawberry Mint Smoothie
• Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini
• Strawberry Matcha Smoothie