Orange Juice Recipe (Easy and Homemade)
Bright and sweet orange juice is delicious to enjoy on its own for a healthy beverage, or include in your favorite drink recipes. And even without a standing juicer it’s very easy to make freshly squeezed orange juice at home. Here I share with you step-by-step instructions for how to make orange juice using a blender or mixer.
About Orange Juice Recipe
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a freshly-squeezed glass of cold, sweet fruit juice. I’ve shared several of my favorite recipes over the years, like how to make Pineapple Juice, Apple Juice, Musk Melon Juice, and Watermelon Juice. They are all big hits and as classic as this orange juice recipe.
Not only are fresh oranges super tasty, enjoying them raw as a juice is a nice way to get the most nutrients possible from the fruit. Each sip is packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, and a bit of fiber, too.
If you happen to have an electric juicer, then making a healthy glass of nearly any juice is basically effortless. However, if you’re like me and don’t have a standing juicer, you might have been a bit hesitant about trying to squeeze oranges at home.
I’m here to show you just how easy it can be to make orange juice in a mixer or blender – no special countertop gadgets needed!
Simply blend peeled orange segments, either with or without sugar and/or lemon juice, strain a bit, and enjoy! The orange juice is terrific to drink as-is or can be used to make mocktails, smoothies, or even baked goods and desserts.
How to make Orange Juice
1. First, peel the oranges. Do remove the pith and the white layers from the orange segments.
You can put them in a bowl and chill them in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes before blending, if you like your it cold. Once ready, add the orange segments in a mixie jar or blender jar.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. This is optional and you can skip if you want. However, I really like how the tartness of the lemon balances the sweetness of the oranges.
It also will help keep the juice tasting fresher for a bit longer if you plan to chill in the fridge before drinking.
3. Run the mixer or blender on low to medium speed for several seconds, until the mixture becomes pulpy and the oranges are crushed.
Avoid blending too much though, as we just need to crush the segments and do not want to pulverize the seeds. You can also use the pulse option of the mixer or blender.
4. Set a strainer over a bowl, and pour in the juice. You can use a juice strainer or a mesh strainer.
6. Use a spoon to press and move the pulp around to help strain the juice. Continue to do this until as much of the juice as possible has been strained into the bowl.
7. You should only have the stringy pulp remaining after all the juice is strained. You will have to discard the pulp as it will be bitter or you can add it to your compost.
8. Pour immediately into two tall glasses and serve orange juice.
Orange Juice Benefits
The first and foremost thing about freshly made Orange Juice at home is that you will have a great intake of essential nutrients like Vitamin C, A and minerals like potassium and folate. It is low in calories too, and more so, if you are not using any additional sweetener in it in case of naturally sweet oranges.
Some other health benefits of Orange Juice are mentioned below:
- Orange Juice is brimming with antioxidants. Thus, good for protection against diabetes, cancer and heart diseases.
- Since it is a great source of Vitamin C, it aids the immune system (thus, reducing inflammation too) and helps to fight against common cold.
- It is known to be a preventive measure for lessening the chances of kidney stones.
- Orange Juice may be a good choice of beverage for improving brain and heart functions.
FAQs
Can I make Orange Juice with a sweetener?
If your oranges aren’t sweet enough, you can add a teaspoon of your preferred sweetener such as honey, jaggery or granulated sugar.
How long does Homemade Orange Juice keep well?
I recommend that you enjoy the fresh juice as soon as possible. You can chill in the refrigerator for an hour or so. Because there are no preservatives, it will begin to have a bitter taste, if it sits for too long.
Can I add salt in this recipe of Orange Juice?
Yes, you can certainly add some regular white salt or even black salt in this recipe. It will help to balance the sweetness of the Orange Juice.
What other recipes can I make with Homemade Orange Juice?
Fresh Orange Juice made in a blender is great to include anytime a recipe calls for it. Use it to make the Eggless Fruit Cake, Orange Cake and Orange Muffins.
How else can I flavor the Orange Juice?
You can include some fresh mint leaves, fresh rosemary, ginger, lemon and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove for an extra flavor in the Orange Juice.
However, while adding lemon, make sure to check the sweetness of the juice first, and then adjust the lemon juice in it to have a proper balance of the sweet-sour in the juice.
Reference Links:
https://www.healthline.com/
https://www.webmd.com/
Step by Step Photo Guide Above
Ingredients
- 850 grams oranges or 6 to 7 medium oranges
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- sugar or honey or jaggery as required – (optional)
Instructions
- Peel the oranges and take the orange segments in a mixie jar or blender jar.
- Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice. This is optional and you can skip if you want.
- Run the mixie or blender on low to medium speed for some seconds till the mixture becomes pulpy and the oranges are crushed. Avoid blending too much as we just need to crush the segments and not the seeds.
- If the seeds gets crushed, the juice will become bitter. So don't blend at a stretch. You can also use the pulse option of the blender. If you prefer you can remove the orange seeds before juicing them.
- Line a juice strainer over a bowl or pan. In the juice strainer, pour the orange juice.
- Strain the juice with a help of a spoon. Keep on pressing and moving the spoon, so that the all the juice is strained well.
- You should only have the stringy orange pulp remaining after all the juice is strained.
- The juice will be collected in the bowl or pan. If you want you can add some sugar or honey or jaggery to the juice to sweeten it.
- Pour immediately in glasses and serve orange juice.
Notes
- Try to include sweet tasting oranges so that you don’t need to add any additional sweetener. If the oranges are not sweet you will have to add some sugar or honey or your preferred sweetener.
- Drink the juice as soon as it is prepared. Don’t keep it standing for few hours as then it will turn bitter.
- For a colder juice place the oranges or the orange segments in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.
- The recipe can be scaled.
Nutrition
This Orange Juice recipe from the blog archives first published in Feb 2015 has been republished and updated on June 2023.
I made the recipe exactly as it said, added ½ fresh lemon. Used a yogurt strainer and it came out beautifully. Added ½ cup water because I served to my kids (decrease acidity). Thank you so much for the recipe.
Welcome and thanks for the feedback on the recipe. Glad to know and most welcome.
Hi could I make some on the night and leave refrigerated for the morning?
orange juice turns bitter if kept for hours or a long time. it is best to have it as soon as it is made.
Gonna try it today. It’s a good idea. I’m in no mood to buy a juicer coz they waste a lot of pulp. Bunch of mosamees lying in the fridge. Here I go……
thanks atul
This article is really helpful, it helps me to make an orange juice in a proper ways because most of the time I didn’t do it in a proper way. Thankyou for showing the right way how to make an orange juice.
Welcome Elsha. Glad to know that post helped you.