8oz Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice Recipe

Prepare oranges

Wash the oranges under cool running water and pat dry. Roll each orange on the countertop while pressing down firmly with your palm to loosen the juice. Cut each orange in half crosswise.

Juice the oranges

Using a manual citrus juicer or an electric citrus press, juice the 4 orange halves (approximately 4 whole large oranges). Continue until you have about 8 fl oz (240 ml) of juice. If using a blender, peel and section the oranges (remove as much white pith as possible), blend briefly until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove pulp if a smoother juice is desired.

Adjust sweetness and strength

Taste the freshly squeezed juice. If it's too tart, stir in up to 1 teaspoon granulated sugar until dissolved. If it's too strong, stir in up to 1 tablespoon cold water and re-taste. These steps are optional and depend on the sweetness of the oranges.

Chill and serve

If you prefer chilled juice, fill an 8 oz glass with ice cubes (about 4 ice cubes). Pour the orange juice over the ice. Garnish with a mint sprig if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and freshness.

Storage

Freshly squeezed orange juice is best consumed immediately but can be refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 48 hours. Shake or stir before serving, as natural separation will occur.