Copycat Waterman's Original Orange Crush Recipe (2024)

Chances are that you’ve been to Virginia Beach and dined at the famous Waterman’s Surfside Grille if you’ve found this page. It’s an amazing seafood restaurant that’s right on the water, which offers amazing views and delectable cuisine. They’re famous for crab cakes, but also their Waterman’s Original Orange Crush recipe. It’s so refreshing and made with fresh squeezed orange juice, triple sec, orange vodka and sprite. This is a copycat version is the best way to enjoy the co*cktail from home and reminisce about your Virginia Beach vacation.

During my Virginia Beach trip, it wasn’t more than thirty minutes after I landed that I was told, by a local, that I needed to have an Orange Crush. I was also warned that they sneak up on you! She was absolutely correct – but the Orange Crush is so delicious and refreshing. You can’t stop at one, but three is slightly overboard.

When you’re dining at Waterman’s Surfside Grille, and you’ve got a view of the bartender, you’ll notice how many of these they make. The poor bartender is constantly squeezing fresh orange juice to keep up with the demand. Now you can make your own at home with this Copycat Waterman’s Orange Crush recipe.

Looking for more great drink recipes? I’ve got you covered! Here are some of my favorites:

• CopyCat Pat O’Briens Hurricane Recipe
• Strawberry Lemonade Moonshine
• Apple Pie Margarita Recipe

How To Make Waterman’s Original Orange Crush co*cktail

To start, you’re going to need Navel Oranges. They’re in season, and the sweetest, from November through January. Even if they aren’t in season, you can get them in the U.S. year round. They’re an amazing fruit for squeezing fresh juice from. For this exact Copycat Waterman’s Orange Crush, I used a hand juicer from Amazon.

What To Serve With An Orange Crush co*cktail

You’ve got to make some homemade crab cakes when you enjoy your Orange Crush. Waterman’s is known for their crab cakes so you might as well make a meal of it. Imagine walking off the beach, on a hot summer day, and enjoying a refreshing Orange Crush. Its’s the quintessential summer drink and something that Virginia Beach is famous for.

How To Ensure There Is No Pulp In Your Orange Crush

Waterman’s is known for their Orange Crush, but you’ll never taste any pulp in the freshly squeeze orange juice. That’s because they strain the pulp to separate it from the actual juice. You want to use a hand strainer, if your juice doesn’t strain the pulp for you. Hold it over your cup and pour the orange juice through it to separate any pulp.

What Type Of Ice You Use Makes A Difference

If you’ve dined at Waterman’s, you know that they have the nugget ice. I swear that’s half the reason why the co*cktail is so amazing. When you’re getting to the very end of the drink, you’re crunching away on nugget ice. I swear by the GE Profile Nugget Ice Maker for your home. If you can’t get your hands on nugget ice, normal ice works too.

How To Make A Skinny Orange Crush

If you’re watching calories or sugar, opt for Diet Sprite instead of regular Sprite. Your Orange Crush will have less sugar content, calories and carbs. It’s a great option for diabetics too.

What You’ll Need From The Store:

• Fresh Oranges
• Triple Sec
• Orange Vodka (I used Smirnoff)
• Sprite
• Nugget Ice

Step-By-Step Directions To Make Waterman’s Orange Crush Drink

Start by adding nugget ice to half of your 8 ounce cup. Juice 1 fresh orange and pour over a hand stainer to remove all the pulp from your drink.

Next, add a five-second count of Orange Vodka. Finish with a splash of Triple Sec and Sprite.Give the drink a quick stir to finish. Optional: garnish with an orange wedge (which they don’t do at Waterman’s).