Apples and Oranges

The Apples and Oranges is a straightforward, very sweet highball for anyone craving a fruit-forward, low-alcohol drink. It leans heavily on fruit schnapps and soda for a taste reminiscent of candy or a juice box. This is a crowd-pleaser for those who prefer sweet over spirit-forward cocktails, often ordered when the goal is a refreshing, easy-drinking option rather than a complex sipper.

Apples and Oranges

4.61 from 23 votes

Calories: 85kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 1 oz Apple Schnapps
▢ 1 oz Watermelon Schnapps
▢ 4 - 5 oz Orange Soda

Instructions

▢
Stir ingredients together gently in a highball glass. and serve.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 85kcal (4%)Carbohydrates: 8g (3%)Sugar: 8g (9%)

Punch

Where it came from

This drink likely emerged from the casual bar scene sometime in the late 20th century, a product of the growing popularity of fruit liqueurs and simple, highball-style mixed drinks. Its exact origins are murky, but you would expect to find variations served in college towns or at house parties where easy-to-make, sweet options are king.

The Apples and Oranges fits squarely into the ‘schnapps and soda’ family, a distant cousin to drinks like a Fuzzy Navel or a Sex on the Beach. What sets it apart is its dual schnapps base, offering a layered fruit profile without the addition of stronger spirits like vodka or rum.

You are most likely to encounter this drink at a casual bar or a large gathering where the focus is on fun and easy drinking, not serious mixology. It is a reliable choice for someone who wants something sweet, fizzy, and light, often found on happy hour menus or at venues with a younger clientele.

What it tastes like

Expect a full-on fruit explosion. The initial taste is dominated by the sweet, candied notes of apple and watermelon schnapps, quickly followed by the bright, citrusy fizz of orange soda. The finish is clean and sugary, leaving a lingering impression of fruit candy rather than a botanical or spirit-driven flavor.

With two ounces of 15% ABV schnapps and four to five ounces of soda, this drink lands at around 5-6% ABV. That puts it in the range of a light beer, making it a relatively sessionable option compared to a standard 10-15% ABV cocktail.

The technique

Building an Apples and Oranges is as simple as it gets. Start by adding the schnapps to an ice-filled highball glass. Top gently with orange soda. A brief, gentle stir with a bar spoon integrates the flavors without sacrificing too much carbonation, then it is ready to serve.

The key technique here is the gentle stir. Aggressive stirring will quickly flatten the orange soda, turning your fizzy highball into a flat, overly sweet concoction. A light touch ensures the drink stays lively and refreshing, preserving the soda’s effervescence which is crucial for balance.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Apple Schnapps

Use: Look for brands like Dekuyper Apple Pucker or Bols Sour Apple. These provide the sweet, slightly tart apple flavor the drink needs.
Skip: Avoid using apple brandy or Calvados. Their higher alcohol content and complex, often dry, apple flavors will completely change the character of this sweet, low-ABV drink.
Why: This ingredient lays down the primary apple sweetness and a hint of tartness, forming one half of the drink’s signature fruit profile.

Orange Soda

Use: Classic orange sodas like Fanta or Sunkist work perfectly. If you want a slightly less sweet, more refined orange note, San Pellegrino Aranciata is an option.
Skip: Do not substitute with plain orange juice or orange syrup mixed with club soda. Orange juice lacks the carbonation and the distinct, candy-like sweetness that defines the soda’s role here.
Why: Orange soda provides both the effervescence and the dominant citrus sweetness, integrating with the schnapps to create the drink’s signature ‘orange’ flavor and its light, refreshing body.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Spiked Apples and Oranges

A little extra kick: Add 0.5 to 1 oz of vodka to the recipe for a stronger, yet still fruit-forward, version that maintains the original flavor profile.

Tropical Apples and Oranges

Island fruit twist: Swap the watermelon schnapps for a peach or pineapple schnapps and consider a splash of pineapple juice along with the orange soda for a more exotic fruit blend.

Apples and Oranges Punch

Batch for a crowd: Multiply the ingredients by your desired number of servings and combine in a pitcher or punch bowl with plenty of ice and orange slices for a party-ready drink.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Apple Schnapps?

Peach schnapps or another sweet fruit liqueur can stand in, though the apple character will be lost.

No Watermelon Schnapps?

Raspberry or strawberry liqueur works as a sweet, fruity substitute.

No Orange Soda?

Use orange juice topped with club soda or lemon-lime soda for a similar fizz and citrus note.

No highball glass?

Any tall, straight-sided glass will work just fine for serving this drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Apples and Oranges?

It contains apple schnapps, watermelon schnapps, and orange soda.

Is Apples and Oranges a strong drink?

No, it is a relatively low-alcohol drink, comparable to a light beer in strength.

What does Apples and Oranges taste like?

It tastes very sweet and fruity, with prominent apple, watermelon, and orange flavors, similar to a fruit candy or soda.

Can I use fresh orange juice instead of soda?

You can, but you will lose the carbonation and the distinct sweet flavor of orange soda. You might need to add a splash of club soda for fizz.

Is this drink very sweet?

Yes, with two types of schnapps and orange soda, it is designed to be a very sweet, fruit-forward cocktail.

Can I make Apples and Oranges as a shot?

While you could technically combine the schnapps, the soda component makes it less suitable for a typical shot. It is best enjoyed as a longer drink.

What kind of schnapps should I use?

Any reputable brand of apple and watermelon schnapps will work. Dekuyper or Bols are common and accessible choices.

Is Apples and Oranges a good party drink?

Yes, its simple ingredients, easy preparation, and sweet, approachable flavor make it a popular choice for parties and casual gatherings.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read