What do you call a drink made up of orange juice and vodka?

The story behind the answer

A drink made with orange juice and vodka is called a Screwdriver. It is a simple highball, usually served over ice and often garnished with an orange slice.

The basic drink contains only vodka and orange juice, commonly mixed in roughly a one-to-two ratio, though recipes vary. Its mild sweetness and citrus flavor helped make it especially popular as vodka became more widely consumed in the United States during the mid-20th century.

The cocktail’s exact naming story is uncertain. A popular account says workers or American personnel stirred the drink with a screwdriver when no spoon was available. The combination was associated with American civilians and servicemen abroad during World War II, particularly in places such as China and Turkey.

A Screwdriver should not be confused with a Harvey Wallbanger, which adds Galliano. In Britain, the same basic drink is often called a vodka and orange.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

Add question to a list

Choose a list to keep this question in: