Many of us start our days with two drinks: coffee and orange juice. The coffee helps you wake up, and the orange juice provides a little health-boosting vitamin C. But have you ever considered combining them into one drink?
We investigated this crazy idea. The results? You can combine coffee and orange juice — some coffee shops even sell this drink — but you may not be over the moon with the flavor. Here’s what you need to know about coffee and orange juice!
Coffee and Orange Juice: Overview
First of all, let’s dispel some myths about drinking coffee and orange juice together. Some people say that combining these liquids will damage your teeth, give you a stomach ache, or curdle in your cup. But is there any truth to this? Here’s a little background on drinking coffee and orange juice:
Does it affect your teeth?
Orange juice coffee probably won’t damage your teeth any more than regular coffee. Orange juice is slightly acidic, as is coffee, which can slowly break down the enamel on your teeth. Drinking a lot of orange juice or coffee can slightly damage your teeth (especially if you brush them right afterward), but drinking a combination is unlikely to make it worse. Have concerns? Talk to your dentist!
Will coffee and orange juice give you a stomach ache?
And what about stomach aches? If you usually drink coffee and orange juice during the same meal without issue, mixing them shouldn’t cause extra problems. On the other hand, if you often get stomach aches after drinking coffee, you may want to switch to a low-acid brand or eat a good breakfast first.
What about curdling?
The drink itself will not curdle, but the acidity in coffee and citrus can make milk or cream curdle. If you’ve ever made the mistake of adding lemon and cream to your tea, you know what that looks like. But lemons are significantly more acidic than oranges, so adding cream to your coffee orange juice is a lot less likely to curdle. If you want to avoid this issue altogether, drink your coffee orange juice black!
Trying Coffee Orange Juice
When you’re ready to give this unusual drink a try, where can you find it? There’s one state where coffee and orange juice drinks have taken off: Arizona. A coffee shop called Infusion started serving a version of this called the “SprOJ” back in 2017.
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It’s a mixture of espresso and orange juice — blended to form a not entirely appetizing brown color — with an earthy, slightly sweet flavor. This version has a frothy top, sort of like a nitro coffee, and is served over ice.
You might see other versions of the coffee-and-citrus drink in your local coffee shops. Lemon is a much more common mixer, though. You can always whip up a mazagran (Portuguese lemon coffee) or a coffee lemonade at home!
Iced Coffee Orange Juice
Equipment
- Espresso or coffee maker
- Tall glass
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 2 ounces espresso or ½ cup brewed coffee
- ½ cup orange juice or freshly squeezed oranges
- Ice
- Tonic or sparkling water optional
Instructions
- Brew your espresso or coffee and let it cool. We recommend making your coffee extra strong to keep the flavor balance right.
- Fill a tall, clear glass with ice.
- Pour the orange juice over the ice.
- Pour the cooled coffee on top and take a moment to admire the beautiful layers.
- If you’d like, you can add a splash of tonic or sparkling water on top. This will make your drink a little lighter and more refreshing -- perfect for a summery day!
- Stir the drink and see what you think!
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
Should you mix coffee and orange juice? Here at Coffee Affection, we’ll try anything once, so our answer is yes! Coffee, orange juice, and a splash of tonic served over ice is an unusual drink that’s oddly satisfying. You may not want to drink it every day, but it’s a fun experiment. You might also be able to find a version at your favorite coffee shop. And despite what people say, it’s unlikely to damage your teeth or give you a stomach ache. So why not give this unique drink a try?
RELATED READS:
- How to Make Coffee Tonic (Refreshing & Tasty!)
- Healthy Coffee Recipes: 24 Delicious & Guilt-Free Drinks
- Iced Matcha Latte Recipe (Simple Steps)
Featured image: gowithstock, Shutterstock
