Orange Juice Recipe

Fresh Orange Juice

1. 1

   Prepare oranges

   Wash the oranges thoroughly under cool running water to remove any wax or residue. Pat them dry with a clean towel.

2. 2

   Roll and halve

   On a cutting board, roll each orange firmly under your palm to loosen the juices. Cut each orange in half crosswise.

3. 3

   Juice the oranges

   Use a citrus juicer (manual or electric) to extract juice from all orange halves into a large measuring cup or bowl. If you prefer pulp-free juice, strain the juice through a fine-mesh sieve into another container, pressing on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract more liquid.

4. 4

   Adjust sweetness and brightness

   Taste the fresh juice. If it tastes flat, stir in the granulated sugar until dissolved. If you want more brightness, add the optional fresh lemon juice and stir to combine. If the juice is very strong, add up to 1 cup cold water to dilute to your preferred strength; start with 1/2 cup and adjust to taste.

5. 5

   Chill and serve

   If not serving immediately, refrigerate the juice until cold. To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes if desired, pour the juice over the ice, and garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint.

6. 6

   Storage

   Store any leftover juice in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Stir or shake gently before serving; separation is natural.