Fresh – Squeezed Orange Juice Recipe

Prepare oranges

Wash the oranges thoroughly under cool running water to remove any residue or wax. Pat them dry with a clean towel. Roll each orange firmly on the countertop with the palm of your hand several times—this softens the segments and helps release more juice.

Halve and juice

Cut each orange in half crosswise. Using a manual citrus juicer, reamer, or an electric citrus press, juice each half into a bowl or pitcher. If you use a blender, peel the oranges, remove seeds, add orange segments and 1/4 cup cold water, then pulse briefly and strain through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove pulp to your preference.

Adjust sweetness and texture

Taste the freshly squeezed juice. If it tastes slightly tart and you prefer it sweeter, stir in up to 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (add a little at a time) until dissolved. If the juice is too concentrated, add up to 1/4 cup cold water and mix to reach the desired strength. For a pulpy texture, reserve some pulp from juicing and stir it back in.

Chill and serve

If not serving immediately, chill the juice in the refrigerator for 15–30 minutes. To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes if desired, pour the orange juice over the ice, and garnish each glass with a mint sprig if using. Stir gently before drinking.

Storage

Store any leftover fresh-squeezed orange juice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Stir or shake well before serving, as natural separation will occur.