Orangeade Recipe
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Apr 22, 2026 
When I want something crisp and refreshing, I make this fresh orangeade. I combine fresh-squeezed orange juice, simple syrup, and a splash of soda water for a drink that’s sweet, citrusy, and perfectly balanced. It’s quick to make and feels like the ultimate warm-weather upgrade from the usual lemonade.
The first time I tried a true Southern orangeade beverage was over two decades ago, right after my family moved to North Carolina. We uprooted from the Midwest and settled in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I had just given birth to my son, Carson, and had made a local friend who was also a new mommy. Once a week, we would meet to stroll our little bundles around downtown in our tiny mountain town. This particular day was hot. As we passed by a diner, my friend asked, “Hey, you want to stop and get an Arn-gid?” (Me: Huh? A what??) I was still working my way through the Blue Ridge dialect, so it took a couple of tries before I realized she was saying Orange-Ade. I’d been working on an Orange Julius recipe and thought, maybe this was something similar? I had no idea what this unique drink was… I’ll never forget that funny conversation, or the first time I tried this sweet, bright, and citrusy summer drink. If you like lemonade, you are going to love orangeade.
Table of Contents
Sommer’s Recipe Highlights
Southern by Nature – Orangeade has such deep southern roots, one taste might entice you to call it Arn-gid as well, with a sweet southern drawl. Y’all (pardon me, you’ins in the Blue Ridge) will definitely come back to this recipe… Ya hear?
Bright and Sweet – You can tell by the gorgeous color that this drink has an intensely orange taste. I add homemade simple syrup, which is basically just melting sugar in water on the stovetop, to the fresh-squeezed juice to balance the citrus with some sweetness. Neither flavor overwhelms the other
Bubbly or Not – Traditionally, orangeade recipes are made with flat water (AKA still water). This makes the drink similar to a lemonade… Hence the name orangeade. You can stick to this version, or use bubbly club soda for a fizzy and fun sipper.
Key Ingredients and Tips
- Freshly squeezed orange juice – First, like with all of the best lemonade recipes (including my Brazilian limonada recipe), start with fresh juice, not the store-bought variety. I like to use ripe Navel oranges or Cara Cara oranges. Sometimes I use a combination of both!
- Sugar and water – I use these to make a simple syrup first, which is less grainy and easier to add to the drink, than just stirring in plain sugar.
- Fresh squeezed lemon juice – A couple of squeezes of tart lemon juice complement the sweet and tangy orange citrus.
- Vanilla extract – My secret addition for the best homemade orange drink is to add a scant amount of high-quality extract, to give the southern orangeade recipe an old-fashioned soda fountain quality.
- Salt – I also add a tiny pinch of salt to accentuate the natural sweet and tart flavors.
- Club soda (or water) – Depending on the type of drink you want to have.
How to Make
Find the full ingredient proportions, detailed instructions, storage tips, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Make Simple Syrup – I start by making a simple syrup using 1 part sugar to 1 part water. I simply add these ingredients to a medium-sized pot and warm over medium-low heat until the mixture is fully dissolved with no sugar crystals present. Then I allow it to cool while I squeeze the citrus.
Squeeze the Juice – I use a hand juicer (or an electric juicer) to get every drop of that lovely orange juiciness out of the fruit. I also like to add a little bit of lemon juice to the mix. You don’t want it to overpower the flavor of the fresh oranges, yet adding lemon will give the orangeade a little extra pop of brightness. Flavor layers = excellence.
Into the Pitcher – Now I pour the fresh-squeezed juices into the pitcher.
Add Syrup and Water (or Soda) – Then I add the cooled simple syrup. And finally, I pour in additional water. Or if you plan to serve this southern orangeade recipe right away, you can use club soda for a fizzy soda fountain-style orangeade, but it’s not necessary.
Expert Tips
To make this drink ahead of time, and you’re planning on using water, you can go ahead and add 5 cups of water right after pouring in the juice and simple syrup.
If using club soda, keep the pitcher in the fridge and don’t add the soda until you’re ready to serve. Trust me, the bubbles go flat fast!
Serving Suggestions
I like to add a large handful of ice to tall glasses before pouring in the orangeade. For a fun look, like when I’m serving a few guests or setting out for a party, I’ll put a bucket of ice and a pitcher on a table and let folks help themselves. And cute straws and orange slice garnishes are always a good idea!
Storage Notes
Put a lid on the pitcher, or a layer of plastic wrap, to keep it fresh. I store the base with just squeezed juice and simple syrup for up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator. But once you add water, I recommend drinking it within a day or two.
And if you are using bubbly soda water, it’s best to serve right away. As I mentioned in the tips above, the soda will go flat quickly in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orange juice is just squeezed oranges… Orangeade contains orange juice, but it also contains additional ingredients, like the same homemade simple syrup I use to make virgin margarita recipe, and vanilla extract. It’s basically a doctored-up orange juice beverage, and is super light and refreshing!
If you don’t want to make your own simple sugar, you can use honey or agave syrup. I don’t recommend adding plain sugar since it might not dissolve all the way! Use an equal amount of liquid sweetener and water, then stir well to combine.
Orangeade can be made and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days! When you are serving leftovers, make sure to give it a good stir before pouring into iced glasses.
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More Drink Recipes
Orangeade Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups fresh squeezed orange juice from 6-8 juicy oranges
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice from 3-4 juicy lemons
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 5 cups club soda or water
Instructions
- Place 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1 1/2 cups water in a small sauce pot. Heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. (This can also be done in the microwave.) Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Squeeze 2 1/2 cups of orange juice and 1/2 cup lemon juice into a large pitcher. Pour the sugar syrup into the pitcher. If making ahead, add 5 additional cups of water. Stir and refrigerate.
- If serving right away, pour 5 cups club soda to the pitcher instead of tap water. This creates a bubbly soda fountain quality! Sreve over ice.
Really good sweetie.
I like orange especially Egyptian orange
This will be a wonderful addition to our breakfast, and maybe even more. Anxious to try.
Can’t wait to try. I never made this before. Excited to try.
The presentation style is simple and has weight. Nicely articulated. this is my favorite recipe
This is absolutely delicious! I followed the recipe exactly, but used Valencia oranges (a nod to the “Orange Crush” cocktail that was invited in Maryland). Will definitely continue to make this recipe; the work with the fresh squeezed oranges and lemons was totally worth it!
-Love from NC!
awesome post, thanks for sharing here.
Have you ever made this Orangeade with less sugar? Trying to cut back on added sugars in our house. Thanks
You could probably use an equal amount of sweetener like Stevia.
This is a great recipe for orangeade…wonderful on a hit summer day in the South!