Spiced Vodka Orange Juice

This spiced vodka orange juice is an easy Christmas morning screwdriver cocktail that will help you put together all those toys and enjoy your Christmas brunch! It’s an ice cold drink that has the warm winter spices of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice.

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Is it cool if we make an alcoholic drink for Christmas morning? Because I have a spiced vodka orange juice that I think you’re going to love!

This recipe couldn’t be easier, and you might have all the ingredients already on hand. We’re basically tossing some spices into a screwdriver recipe in order to get a cocktail made with my favorite winter flavors – orange and clove!

Why is vodka and orange juice called a screwdriver?

Legend has it American oil workers in the Persian gulf used to sneak vodka into their orange juice on the job, and use a screwdriver to stir to mix it!

When I was thinking about what kind of cocktail to make you for Christmas, I just kept thinking about you putting together all those toys and how great it would be to have a drink alongside!

What’s in a spiced screwdriver cocktail?

• Vodka
• Orange Juice
• Cloves
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Allspice

How to make a spiced vodka orange juice

• Pour the vodka into a rocks glass
• Add the orange juice
• Add a pinch each of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice
• Stir to combine
• Add ice

I love this drink because it comes together in less than a minute! No fancy syrups or mixers, just vodka, orange juice, and spices!

I chose to use oranges to garnish my drinks two ways. One was a slice of orange peel with cloves pushed into it. The other was a full orange slice with a few cloves pushed into the middle. 

You probably don’t want loose cloves floating around in your drink, so if that’s a concern to you stick with the orange peel. The cloves fell out of the orange slice easily, but it did look pretty.

Tips for customizing your spiced vodka orange juice

• If you want to save even more time, add two pinches of pumpkin pie spice
• Skip the spices and choose a cinnamon spiced vodka
• Top off with club soda
• Use fresh orange juice
• Add a splash of grenadine
• Swap the vodka for tequila
• Swap the orange juice for pineapple juice

More cocktail recipes

• Blackberry Gin Smash
• Gin and Tonic
• Gold Rush
• Apple Cider Cocktail
• Sparkling Greyhound Cocktail

More Christmas recipes

• Chocolate Pistachio Christmas Star Bread
• Christmas Cut Out Cookies
• Gingerbread Energy Balls
• Pretzel Cookie Dough Truffles
• Giant Ginger Cookies with Icing

If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!