Tequila Screwdriver

Tequila screwdriver cocktail with orange wedges for garnish

The Spruce Eats / Karen Hibbard

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

As the name implies, the tequila screwdriver is a twist on the classic screwdriver—which is made with vodka and orange juice—with tequila taking the place of the vodka. But switching out the base liquor in a simple juice highball makes a world of difference. Vodka is, for the most part, tasteless and even more so against the heavy flavor of orange juice. With a tequila background, you get an extra layer of flavor. That rich agave taste makes the tequila screwdriver stand out, even though the cocktail is just as easy to mix up as the original.

The drink is essentially a tequila sunrise, hold the grenadine. So if you've ever made a vodka screwdriver or a tequila sunrise, then you'll have no problem here. Because we're looking at just two ingredients, make them as best as you can.

The Best Tequila for Your Screwdriver

Tequila has an underlying earthiness to its taste that works wonderfully with orange juice. There are many tequilas you can choose from, and it doesn't have to get overly complicated. This drink, however, is best with a decent blanco, a type of tequila that's aged for less than 60 days (if at all). Blanco tequilas tend to have a fresh flavor that pairs particularly well with sweet, bright orange juice.

Go with Fresh OJ for Your Cocktail

Orange juice is the backbone of the tequila screwdriver and the drink will only be as good as the juice you pour. If you can, take the time to squeeze fresh juice. Citrus fruits are easy to juice and it should only take a few minutes to have enough for the drink and some leftover to stash in the fridge for the next round. If you are going to buy orange juice, try to avoid juices made from concentrate.

"This cocktail proves two things for your home bar—one, tequila is an excellent substitute for vodka and gin. Two, tequila should never be without orange. The Tequila Screwdriver's a delicious two-part cocktail that highlights the weight tequila can add to a cocktail. This recipe also demonstrates how incredibly orange and agave suit each other." —Sean Johnson

The horny Bull Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces tequila

  • 5 ounces orange juice

  • fresh orange slices or cherries for garnish (optional)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for tequila screwdriver gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Karen Hibbard

  2. Pour the tequila into a highball glass filled with ice.

    Tequila in a highball glass filled with ice with orange juice in a bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Karen Hibbard

  3. Top with orange juice. Garnish with fresh orange slices or cherries, as desired.

    Tequila screwdriver with orange slices for garnish

    The Spruce Eats / Karen Hibbard

Blood Orange Tequila Screwdriver


When beautiful blood oranges come into season—typically December through April in the U.S.—try using their pretty and sweet juice in your cocktail.

How Strong Is the Tequila Screwdriver?

You can make the tequila screwdriver as strong or as weak as you like—it all depends on how much juice you pour. On average, you will probably add around 5 ounces of orange juice to fill a tall, ice-filled glass and this keeps the drink in a very mild alcohol range. With an 80-proof tequila, you can estimate the alcohol content to be around 10 percent ABV (20 proof). This is average for a tall mixed drink and equivalent to the average glass of wine.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
198 Calories
0g Fat
16g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 198
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 78mg 388%
Calcium 17mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 311mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)