Screwdriver (alcoholic)

The screwdriver is a cool drink for a hot, lazy summer afternoon, which has been around since at least the 1940s.  So, not only can you have a nice relaxing drink, but you will be drinking a classic.

The Screwdriver is a popular alcoholic cocktail made with just two simple ingredients: vodka and orange juice. It is believed to have originated in the United States during the mid-20th century. The exact history of the Screwdriver is a bit unclear, and there are a few stories and theories about how it came into existence.

1. Naval Origins: One theory suggests that the Screwdriver was created by American oil workers or engineers in the Middle East during the 1940s. Supposedly, they would stir their drinks with a screwdriver, hence the name. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.
2. Smuggled Vodka: Another story attributes the drink’s creation to American aviators stationed in North Africa or the Persian Gulf during World War II. The legend goes that these aviators would mix smuggled vodka with orange juice, using their screwdrivers to stir the concoction discreetly.
3. Time Magazine: In 1949, Time Magazine published a short article about the Screwdriver cocktail, suggesting that it was a popular drink among American expatriates in the Middle East. This article is one of the earliest mentions of the Screwdriver in print, contributing to its popularity.

Regardless of its origins, the Screwdriver gained popularity during the 1950s and ’60s, becoming a go-to cocktail, particularly due to its simplicity and refreshing taste. Its name comes from the visual similarity to a screwdriver tool, as the orange juice and vodka mixture resembles a glass with a screwdriver stuck in it. Over time, variations of the Screwdriver have emerged, with some adding ingredients like triple sec or soda for additional flavors and effervescence. However, the classic version remains a staple in cocktail bars and home bartending. As with many cocktails, the precise history of the Screwdriver may have been embellished or lost over the years, but it has undoubtedly become a classic and enduring mixed drink enjoyed by many worldwide.

Servings

• Makes 2 servings

Equipment Required

• 2 chilled cocktail glasses
•  A blender

Screwdriver Ingredients

• 1 cup cracked or crushed ice
• 4 ounces of orange juice
• 4 ounces of vodka

Screwdriver Directions

• Pour all ingredients into the blender and cover
• Short pulse blender two or three times to combine and chill drink
• Strain into cocktail glasses to remove ice
• Serve immediately

Cook’s Notes

• Fresh orange generally is preferred, but high-quality commercial orange juice will do just fine.
• Cracked ice generally works best and makes the straining process easier
• Keep your blender pulses very short; you are mixing and chilling the drink, not making a smoothie