Cocktail Of The Week: Screwdriver
THE COCKTAIL:
Screwdriver
WHAT IT IS:
A Screwdriver is a simple cocktail made using basic ingredients — orange juice and vodka. While there might be only two ingredients in the original recipe, there are many variations with vodka as the base. In the United Kingdom, tfor instance, his drink is called simply vodka and orange
WHAT IT'S MADE OF:
A Screwdriver cocktail needs just three ingredients: vodka, orange juice and ice!
HOW IT'S MADE:
This drink is defined by its simplicity. It's an absolute no-fuss cocktail that you can whip up in minutes.
ORIGINS:
The Screwdriver must be one of the simplest cocktails to make but its origin story is... a little complicated. There are many versions, but below are the most widely believed origin stories of this drink:
Theory 1 - Oil Workers
One theory assumes American oil workers along with workers of other ethnicities are behind this iconic cocktail. During the mid-20th century, these workers hustling in the Persian Gulf would secretly pour a little vodka into their orange juice. Since they didn't have spoons, let alone a bar spoon to mix the drink, they used screwdrivers instead. And hence the name of the cocktail!
Theory 2 - American Marines
Another theory says that American Marines fighting World War II created the cocktail. They simply spiked their orange juice, or OJ as the Americans call it now and then, with a bit of vodka.
Theory 3 - Multicultural Effort
While this theory doesn't point to the origin of the Screwdriver, it records its consumption in the mid-20th century and claims that the drink has American origin. As per the 1949 edition of Time magazine, Turkish intelligence agents, American engineers and Balkan refugees mingled with each other over a newly created cocktail made of O.J. and vodka.
The bottom-line is, it appears, that working men wanted a buzzy drink. And necessity being the mother of invention, their need gave rise to the brilliant cocktail called the Screwdriver.
BEST FOR:
The screwdriver is a perfect brunch cocktail. But you can also serve it during an evening or late evening party.
CAN I MAKE IT NON-ALCOHOLIC?
Absolutely! Just replace vodka with sparkling water or soda.
Recipe for Virgin Screwdriver
Ingredients
60 ml Orange juice
20 ml Sparkling water/soda
Pinch black salt
Orange slice, for garnish
Method
Use freshly squeezed orange juice or good quality store-bought orange juice. Pour the juice into a highball glass. Add the sparkling water or soda and sprinkle a pinch of black salt. Garnish with the orange slice.
THE RECIPE:
Recipe for classic Screwdriver (Batch proportions)
Ingredients
60 ml Smirnoff vodka
150 ml orange juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
Orange slice, for garnish
Method
Take a Collins glass and fill it with ice. Add vodka and orange juice in it. Garnish with an orange slice and serve.
While it is normal to learn about spirits and cocktails and enjoy them, it is key to consume alcohol moderately. It is absolutely necessary that one serves and drinks responsibly to maintain health and to stay out of any harm's way. If you know anyone who finds it difficult to control their alcohol consumption, please refer them to a professional.
