Screwdriver

One of the simplest cocktails out there, the Screwdriver is just a combination of Vodka and Orange Juice. That's it! The Screwdriver joins the ranks of other two ingredient cocktails that mix Orange Juice with something else. Think wonderful cocktails like the Mimosa, Fuzzy Navel, or the Garibaldi. While these three are easy going low alcohol cocktails, the Screwdriver is just a little bit stronger thanks to the Vodka base. But that's OK. Simple Orange Juice cocktails are great because they're, well, simple, but also surprisingly versatile. Orange Juice is tasty and easily dressed up with something else.

Anyway, if you're after a simple cocktail that's sure to please, the Screwdriver is for you.

Total Time 3

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

50 mL Vodka
100 mL Orange Juice

Instructions

Fill a Highball glass with plenty of ice.
Pour in Vodka, then top up with Orange Juice. Stir lightly.
Serve.

Notes

We've made similar statements before, but like so many other cocktail recipes, nobody really knows where the Screwdriver came from. Spiking Orange Juice with Vodka isn't the most creative thing in the world, and we imagine it's been happening since Vodka was first invented. That being said, one story we saw was that people working oil fields in the Middle East enjoyed this cocktail as a way to drink in secret. It got its name as the workers would stir their drink with a screwdriver. It sounds doubtful, but it's a fun story!

As with all cocktails, make sure you're using good ingredients, especially for your juice. Orange Juice is great on its own, but it's even better when it's fresh! Yum!

Keep Reading For More on the Screwdriver

Other than the other easy to make Orange Juice cocktails, the Screwdriver is also a bit of a precursor to the Harvey Wallbanger, which is a similar cocktail except it adds Lemon Juice and Galliano as well. While obviously not quite as simple as the Screwdriver recipe here, you can see a pretty clear connection between the two.

Once again, it just goes to show the versatility of Orange Juice and how it works very well in simple cocktail recipes.

Will a Screwdriver work well as a batched cocktail?

Screwdrivers work well when made in a larger batch. Just mix everything up in a jug and serve it to people around a party or as they arrive. It’s only two ingredients so it’s quite easy!

If you want to include ice in the jug, that’s fine. Otherwise put ice in everyone’s glass and pour the drink in.

Can I make a batch of Screwdrivers and store them for later?

Yes, this will work. Just mix everything together and put it in the refrigerator for later. This is great if you’re having people over and you want to give them a quick welcome drink. That way you’re not scrambling to make something as people arrive.

What’s the ideal time to drink a Screwdriver

We always see simple cocktail recipes like this as the perfect kind of cocktail for earlier in the day. While Orange Juice is added to a lot of different cocktail recipes, cocktails that are majority OJ don’t seem quite as appropriate for later in the evening. Because of this, we see the Screwdriver as a great afternoon cocktail. Hell, you may even get away with one of these as a breakfast cocktail… if you’re on vacation at least!

Sure, a lot of breakfast or early afternoon cocktails are lighter than the Screwdriver, but sometimes you want something a bit bigger, and that’s what the Screwdriver is for.

How strong is the Screwdriver?

As we’ve kind of been hinting at, the Screwdriver is a fair bit stronger than its cousins like the Mimosa or Garibaldi, and the reason is obvious! While these cocktails use Champagne and Campari respectively, the Screwdriver uses Vodka for its alcohol, which, of course, is a fair bit stronger that Champagne or Campari.

But while the Screwdriver uses Vodka, it doesn’t use a large amount of Vodka. In fact, if you were to compare this to, say, a Gin and Tonic, there’s actually less Vodka in the Screwdriver than there is Gin in a Gin and Tonic.

So all in all it’s about average in strength.

What sort of music do you put on while having a Screwdriver

This is a tough one. Although we really enjoy this simple mix of Vodka and Orange Juice, the Screwdriver doesn’t really much of a personality. This is often the case with cocktails that are only two ingredients. While all would agree that this is a real cocktail, it’s the bare minimum of what a cocktail actually is; mix some sort of alcohol with something else. Cocktails like this have probably existed since the dawn of time. Yes, sometimes they’re given a fancier name (like this one), or there’s something novel about the mixture. Additionally, a good cocktail recipe is about balance. So the cocktail is not only in the ingredients, it’s in the ratio of these ingredients.

So what music do we put on while having a Screwdriver? We’ll let you choose this time.

And now for more cocktail recipes

While you’re sipping away at your Screwdriver perhaps you’re wondering about what to try next. We have you covered with tons and tons of cocktail recipes.

First, see what cocktail you can make with ingredients you have, otherwise, browse away:

Top 10 Vodka cocktail recipes: to make things easy for you, we have a list of our favourite Vodka based cocktails. Great.

Top 15 three ingredient cocktail recipes: or if it’s just easy cocktails you’re after, we have a list of the best easy to make cocktails.

Top 20 classic cocktail recipes: the Screwdriver is also a bit of a classic. If you want to browse more classics, take a look here.