Social media can be an amazing thing (at times) but its track record with viral food trends is not the best. For every Dalgona coffee (a trend we adore), there is a cinnamon challenge that can seriously put your life at risk. So, what is the deal with the TikTok’s espresso orange juice?
We actually love it. The drink itself is very simple, and to make it you only need espresso and orange juice. To make things easier we included a recipe that will give you a delicious drink. We also included some fun variations you might want to try.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
Are Espresso & Orange Juice Good Together?
Although this combination sounds weird at first (we had our doubts too), we are pretty sure that all those that enjoy espresso and orange juice separately will love them together. Even if you do not end up being a huge fan, it will not disappoint you.
What Is Orange Juice & Espresso Called?
There are multiple names for the orange juice espresso across the world:
- OJ Express
- Good Morning Vietnam
- Orange Coffee
- Sunrise
- Good Morning
- Expresso Sunrise
What Do You Need To Make It At Home?
This refreshing beverage is very easy to make but let us explain a bit more about what goes in it. As said, you only need espresso and some orange juice:
The Espresso
The first thing you need to do is brew espresso using an espresso machine. You need a double espresso shot for a 4 oz cup of juice. There are some alternative methods you can try if you do not own one, but we will get into this later.
The Orange Juice
When it comes to the orange juice itself, you can either use the store-bought version or make a freshly squeezed juice yourself. Personally, we would go with the latter option, but, if you don’t want to be bothered a store-bought version will do just fine too.
Step By Step Process
Fill your glass with about 2/3 of the way with ice cubes.
Pour the orange juice into the glass.
Slowly pour the freshly brewed espresso over the orange juice in your glass. This is to ensure that it remains at the top and you get the beautiful layers.
Finally, garnish your drink with a slice of orange and/or rosemary (only if you like).
Ingredients
Directions
Fill your glass with about 2/3 of the way with ice cubes.
Pour the orange juice into the glass.
Slowly pour the freshly brewed espresso over the orange juice in your glass. This is to ensure that it remains at the top and you get the beautiful layers.
Finally, garnish your drink with a slice of orange and/or rosemary (only if you like).
What If You Are Not Using Espresso?
In case you are using some other brew, such as AeroPress or Moka pot coffee the steps are the same, however, you will want to be careful while pouring the coffee in. Instead of pouring it over the juice, hold a tablespoon over the glass and pour your brew over it. That way the coffee will hit the spoon first and stay at the top instead of sinking into the juice. As a result, you will get the same gradient effect as you would using regular espresso.
Variations You Might Like
As is the case with almost any drink out there, there are versatile tweaks you can make to the original recipe if you feel like experimenting:
Cacao Powder
Another thing you can try is to add cacao to the drink (this is actually an Iced Bumblebee Coffee). To make it simply combine a tablespoon of cacao powder with a few tablespoons of freshly brewed espresso coffee and then add the mixture to the rest of the brew. After that, combine it with the juice and that is it.
Tonic Or Soda Water
You can easily top the drink with a bit of soda water or tonic. This will give it fizzy bubbles that will make it even more refreshing. The addition of a flavored tonic will give it a bit more citrusy flavor.
Milk
We do not recommend adding milk to this specific beverage as we do not think it can mix well with the juice. However, what you can do is add a bit of milk froth to the top of your glass. If you are looking for a vegan version, use oat, almond, or soy milk as they froth the best.
Different Fruit Juices
It is worth knowing that you can mix espresso with other fruit juices and not only orange. For instance, pineapple juice works very well. You can even add a bit of coconut milk into the mix and get a delicious pina colada latte combination. Blueberry and cherry juice can come in handy too. But, the best option (in our opinion) is the ice-cold lemonade. You might even find it better than the original.
Whiskey
Finally, you can add a bit of whiskey to the drink. This will give it a bit more spiced flavor you can enjoy in the afternoons.
You Might Be Wondering…
Since this is a somewhat new drink, most people have some concerns about it – we are here to address them:
What Does This Mix Taste Like?
Generally, the mix has a sweet flavor with a slightly bitter espresso coffee aftertaste.
Can You Add Cream To It?
Well, you can. We do not recommend this as the cream might curdle when it gets in contact with the orange juice. If you still want to add the cream into the mix, make sure that both your juice and the cream are extra cold.
What If The Drink Is Not Strong Enough For You?
You can always twerk the original recipe with different ratios to ensure that you get a drink that fits your preferences.
Can You Find This Drink At Starbucks?
Yes, you can. In this case, it is always made using freshly squeezed orange juice.
Does It Affect Weight Loss?
If consumed in moderation, the drink should not have any permanent effects on your weight loss journey. However, keep in mind that orange juice (especially the store-bought one) has a lot of sugar and calories in it.
Can This Combination Be Upsetting For Your Stomach?
The reason why this is such an often concern is that both espresso coffee and orange juice are acidic. So, if you have a sensitive stomach, this combination might be a bit too much for you. However, if you often consume espresso and orange juice separately, you should not have any trouble with the two combined.
Can This Drink Damage Your Teeth?
Drinking this combo is no worse for your teeth than drinking them separately. You can damage your teeth only if you brush them within half an hour of consuming something acidic (and this will take time), but if you brush them later, the acid will not cause any damage.
To Wrap It Up
Now, we are aware of the fact that most people screw their noses up at the mere thought of such a combination. However, if you give it a chance you might actually find that you like it, even more than you ever expected.
In case you are looking to enhance the flavor of the drink a bit more, you can try out one of the variations we talked about. Either way, we are sure that you will get the brew you will enjoy.
