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Ingredients
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Fresh Orange Juice
Method
Fresh Orange Juice
Prepare oranges
Wash the oranges thoroughly under cool running water to remove any residues. Pat them dry with a clean towel.
Room temperature or chilled
If oranges are chilled, let them sit 5–10 minutes at room temperature for maximum juice yield and flavor. Alternatively, warm them for 10–15 seconds in the microwave to help release more juice.
Roll and halve
On a cutting board, roll each orange firmly under your palm for 20–30 seconds to soften the flesh. Cut each orange in half crosswise.
Juice the oranges
Using a handheld citrus reamer, manual juicer, or electric juicer, press and twist each orange half to extract the juice into a large pitcher or bowl. Continue until all halves are juiced. Strain the juice through a fine-mesh sieve into the pitcher if you prefer pulp-free juice; leave unstrained if you prefer some pulp.
Adjust consistency and sweetness (optional)
Taste the juice. If it’s too intense, stir in up to 1/4 cup cold water to dilute to your preference. If you prefer sweeter juice, stir in up to 1 teaspoon sugar or simple syrup, adding gradually and tasting until desired sweetness is reached.
Chill and serve
Add ice cubes to individual glasses or to the pitcher. Pour the orange juice into glasses over ice if desired. Garnish each glass with a fresh mint sprig for aroma and presentation.
Storage
Store any leftover juice in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Stir or shake gently before serving, as natural separation will occur.