Homemade Orange Juice
Homemade orange juice made from fresh fruit tastes brighter and less cooked than most cartons, and takes about 10 minutes. Four large oranges give two generous 200ml glasses, and a small squeeze of lemon sharpens the sweetness. You can strain it for a smooth glass or keep the pulp in, and no sugar is added.
- Total
- 10 min
- Prep
- 10 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 85kcal
Ingredients and swaps for homemade orange juice
The only ingredient that matters here is the fruit. Juicing oranges, such as Valencia or Navel, give more juice than small easy-peelers, which tend to taste flatter. Lemon is optional but lifts the flavour.
If you want a longer drink, top each glass with sparkling water or add a squeeze of lime. A few mint leaves in the jug make a pleasant change for the summer.
No juicer? A simple wooden or plastic reamer does the same job by hand, and so does squeezing each half over a sieve set on a jug. It takes a little longer but gives you a very similar glass.
How to make homemade orange juice
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the fruit Wash the oranges and lemon. Roll each one firmly under your palm on the worktop for 10 seconds to break down the flesh inside, then cut in half across the middle.
- Squeeze Press each half onto a citrus juicer and twist, pressing firmly to extract all the juice. Squeeze the lemon half into the same jug.
- Strain Remove any pips. For a smooth glass, pour the juice through a fine sieve into a clean jug. For a pulpier juice, leave it as it is.
- Serve Stir, then pour into two glasses over ice, if you like, and drink straight away.
Serving ideas and making more
Fresh orange juice is a classic with a weekend breakfast, and it goes well alongside fruit salad with vanilla cream. For a savoury glass based on carrots and beetroot, try vegetable juice.
To serve four, double the quantities: eight large oranges and one whole lemon make about 800ml, which fills four glasses. Chill the fruit in the fridge first if you want the juice cold without needing ice, and squeeze it close to serving time for the freshest flavour.
Keep the squeezed halves, because the zest and peel are useful too. Grate the zest into a cake or pancake batter before you cut the fruit, if you plan to bake later in the week.
Common problems and fixes for Homemade Orange Juice
- The juice tastes bitter.
- Pith and pips are the cause. Press gently on the juicer rather than grinding the halves into the cone, and pick out any pips.
- You get very little juice from the oranges.
- Choose fruit that feels heavy for its size with thin skin, and bring it to room temperature before rolling and squeezing.
- The juice is too sweet.
- Add another squeeze of lemon, or top the glass up with a splash of sparkling water.
Frequently asked questions about Homemade Orange Juice
How many oranges make a glass of juice?
Two large juicing oranges make about a 200ml glass, though the yield depends on how juicy the fruit is.
How long does fresh orange juice keep?
Up to 24 hours in a covered jar or bottle in the fridge, though it tastes best within a few hours. It may separate, so give it a stir.
Does a glass of orange juice count as one of your 5 a day?
Yes, but only once. A 150ml glass counts as one portion, however much you drink. Juicing releases the sugars from the fruit, so the NHS suggests drinking it with a meal rather than between them.
Can I make it in a blender?
Not easily. Peel the oranges, remove the pith and pips, blend the segments briefly and strain through a fine sieve. The juice is usually more pulpy and the yield is lower.
How did you like the recipe?
4.9 / 5 · 59 ratings
