Fresh-squeezed Orange Juice Recipe
Make Fresh-squeezed Orange Juice Recipe in just 25m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Juice
Method
Juice
Prepare fruit
Wash the oranges thoroughly under cool running water to remove any residues. Pat them dry with a clean towel. If using a lemon or lime for balance, wash that as well.
Bring oranges to room temperature
If the oranges are chilled, leave them at room temperature for 10–15 minutes or microwave each orange for 10–15 seconds to help release more juice (optional).
Roll oranges to loosen juice
Place an orange on the counter and press and roll it firmly with the heel of your hand for 20–30 seconds; repeat for each orange. This helps break down internal membranes and increases yield.
Cut and juice
Cut each orange in half crosswise. Using a manual citrus juicer, reamer, or an electric juicer, press and twist each half to extract juice into a measuring cup or pitcher. If using a blender, peel the oranges (remove as much pith as possible), segment them, remove seeds, place segments in the blender, add 1/4 cup water, pulse briefly, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove pulp as desired.
Adjust sweetness and acidity
Taste the freshly squeezed juice. If it’s too tart, stir in up to 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar or honey until dissolved. If it’s very sweet or you prefer a lighter flavor, stir in up to 1 teaspoon fresh lemon or lime juice. If the juice is very concentrated, dilute with cold water to taste (start with 1/4–1/2 cup).
Strain (optional)
For a clearer juice, pour the juice through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another pitcher, using a spoon to press the pulp to extract additional liquid. Discard pulp or reserve for recipes.
Chill and serve
Refrigerate the juice for at least 15–20 minutes if you prefer it chilled. To serve immediately, fill glasses with ice cubes if desired and pour the juice over ice. Stir before serving. Garnish with an orange slice if you like.
Storage
Store any leftover fresh-squeezed orange juice in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 48–72 hours. Stir or shake before serving because natural separation will occur.