Ingredients
- 1 oz Triple Sec
- 3 oz Lemon Vodka
- 1 oz Club Soda
- 1 Lemon
- fill with Orange Juice
Instructions
Combine Vodka and Triple Sec:
- In a shot glass or cannery-style mason jar, pour 1 oz triple sec and 3 oz lemon vodka together.
Prepare the Lemon:
- Squeeze the lemon lightly and place it on the rim of the glass for garnish.
Add Orange Juice:
- Fill the glass with orange juice to your desired level.
Finish with Club Soda:
- Add a shot of club soda to the mix for a refreshing fizz.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy the bright and citrusy flavors.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
Named after the SunnyD orange juice drink that was everywhere in the 1990s. The cocktail riff turns it into something an adult would order without embarrassment. Lemon vodka and OJ instead of just orange juice and a splash of vodka.
It is a citrus highball. Not a complicated cocktail. The recipe scales easily for pitchers and brunch service.
What it tastes like
Citrus everywhere. Lemon vodka up front, orange juice round the middle, lemon brightness on the back, soda fizz lifting the whole thing. Triple sec rounds it.
Fresh juice is non-negotiable. Carton OJ goes flat in a cocktail like this.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
The lemon vodka
- Use
- Absolut Citron
- Why
- You need the citrus body, not just a lemon top
The orange juice
- Use
- Fresh squeezed if at all possible
- Skip
- Concentrate, harsh and acidic
The triple sec
- Use
- Cointreau or Patron Citronge
- Why
- Quality triple sec ties the citrus together
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Plain vodka plus a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice.
Smooth carton OJ, second best.
Sparkling water or sparkling lemonade.
Skip the soda. Now it is closer to a Sidecar.
Add 5 ml of sugar syrup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
How strong is it?
Garnish?
Can I batch a pitcher?
Glass?
What time of day?
