Orange juice is one of the most popular mixers for alcoholic beverages. It is used with a wide variety of liquor including vodka.
While it improves the taste of the blend, does orange juice itself have alcohol? I looked into it and here’s what I found out!
Does Orange Juice Have Alcohol?
Orange juice can contain around 0.5% alcohol per serving which is equivalent to 0.18 grams in every 250 ml of glass. Once the orange juice has fermented due to the presence of bacteria and yeast, the sugar will transform into alcohol called ethanol. Although orange juice contains alcohol, it is not enough to cause intoxication in small amounts.
Willing to expand your knowledge about orange juice and its alcohol content? Find out more of the details below!
Does Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice Have Alcohol?
Yes, freshly-squeezed orange juice contains an alcohol called sugar alcohol which is naturally found in most fruits and berries.
However, a glass of orange juice does not contain too much sugar alcohol as citrus have it in very small amounts.
How Much Alcohol Is In A Glass Of Orange Juice?
There are 0.18 grams of alcohol in a 250 ml glass of orange juice.
Orange juice contains ethanol, a type of alcohol that reduces stress. This substance is responsible for the surge of positive emotions after drinking orange juice.
What Percentage Of Alcohol Is In Orange Juice?
A regular cup of orange juice contains 0.5% ABV (alcohol by volume). This is equivalent to 0.73 grams per liter.
While a percentage of 0.5% ABV is still alcohol by definition, in many countries, beverages with this content are considered alcohol-free.
Does Orange Juice Ferment Into Alcohol?
Yes, orange juice can ferment into alcohol.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s freshly squeezed or store-bought, orange juice will ferment if it’s exposed to room temperature for too long.
In addition, unopened refrigerated orange juice is no exception. If it is way past its expiration date, bacteria will grow and ferment the juice.
Yeast will thrive and convert the orange juice’s sugar into alcohol. It will take about 24 to 48 hours for this fermentation.
Why Does Orange Juice Taste Like Alcohol?
Orange juice will only taste like alcohol if it has undergone the fermentation process.
Orange juice goes through oxidation once it is exposed to air or if it has reached the end of its shelf life.
During this period, bacteria and yeast particles will contaminate the orange juice. These microorganisms will react with the natural sugars present.
Once the sugar has entered a chemical transformation, it will turn into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The result is a bitter, wine-like taste.
Can You Get Drunk Off Orange Juice?
Yes, you can get drunk off orange juice.
Since the alcohol content of a can of orange juice only amounts to less than a gram, it is impossible to get drunk with a drink or two.
However, two pints of orange juice are enough to give you an intoxicated feeling. This may even be less if you have low alcohol tolerance.
Randomly fermented orange juice is not for consumption, but orange juice that is intentionally fermented is perfectly safe to drink. This is because it is made in a controlled environment without the risk of harmful bacteria.
Does Drinking Orange Juice Make You Drunker?
Yes, drinking orange juice can make you feel more drunk and intoxicated.
Orange juice is a common mixer in a variety of alcoholic beverages because of its fruity tastes that go well with a different liquor.
However, it can also make you drunker because orange juice has its own alcohol content. Although small, it can lead to intoxication when mixed with your fruity alcohol cocktails.
If you want to learn more about orange juice, you can see our related posts on whether orange juice has caffeine, if orange juice wakes you up, and if orange juice keeps you awake.
Conclusion
Freshly squeezed orange juice has sugar alcohol found commonly in different fruits and vegetables. It may also contain ethanol if it has undergone the process of fermentation.
During fermentation, yeast converts the natural sugar in orange juice into alcohol, with carbon dioxide as a byproduct.
There are 0.18 grams of alcohol per cup of orange juice which is equivalent to 0.73 grams per liter. It is a very small amount that won’t cause drunkenness unless consumed in excess.
That being said, you’ll need to drink more than two pints of orange juice to feel a slight buzz.