Orange juice is one of the most sought-after juices because of its versatility and flavor variations. Ever experienced running for that last carton of orange juice only for it to be snatched away?
Your local grocery store may have run out of orange juice but it doesn’t mean that there are no alternatives in sight. I’ve put together a list of some orange juice substitutes. Here they are!
13 Orange Juice Substitutes
For Drinking
1. Cranberry Juice
Made from cranberries, this juice is sour when there is no sugar additive present. However, once there is additional flavoring, you can enjoy its unique taste.
While it may not be as popular, cranberry juice is in the same league as orange juice in terms of the vitamins and minerals it offers.
This bright, red juice is often used as an anti-bacterial beverage known to stave off infections.
It has 42.3 mg of vitamin C which is 39% of the daily recommended limit. This vitamin is known to boost the immune system and improve emotions.
It’s a great orange juice alternative that will similarly put you in a good mood.
2. Apple Juice
Apple juice is the second most popular beverage after orange juice. As a fruit drink, it tastes sweet and crisp which makes it a hit for adults and children alike.
Full of pectin which improves digestion and blood sugar, apple juice is also rich in fiber making it helpful for stomach problems.
Moreover, apple juice is the richest drink in phenolic compounds and enhances focus and memory.
One cup of apple juice daily is enough to fortify the immune system and support brain function which is important to help you stay on track.
3. Prune Juice
Made by squeezing the water out of dried plums, prune juice has a signature chewy taste.
It is rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly potassium. Potassium is in charge of bodily functions and muscle movements.
This fruit juice also suppresses the appetite, making you feel full for longer hours. This is because it is low in sugar.
Prune juice is most often consumed to relieve constipation and normalize bowel movements. Regularly drinking this beverage ensures the improvement of your digestion.
Additionally, it is brimming with iron. Half a cup of prune juice daily contains about 17% of the recommended iron intake.
4. Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice has a unique musty, astringent, and subtly sweet aftertaste. It is recognized as the world’s healthiest fruit juice.
Orange juice’s foremost nutrient to consider is ascorbic acid, but pomegranate juice focuses on a different variety of vitamins.
It contains a high concentration of almost every type of antioxidant, making it three times more potent than tea or red wine.
If you’re undergoing a lot of stress, pomegranate juice is a great alternative to OJ. A glass of it daily also provides 33 to 40% of the recommended daily amount for vitamin C.
Additionally, pomegranate juice is effective in warding off dental plaque.
5. Pineapple Juice
Pineapple juice is another common orange juice alternative with a sweet, tarty flavor.
A cup of pineapple juice daily provides 10% of the recommended daily adult intake of thiamine. This nutrient converts carbs to energy which is efficient in giving you a quick boost.
While orange juice is a morning beverage, pineapple juice is the opposite. It contains high amounts of melatonin, enabling you to sleep better. A glass of pineapple juice before bedtime ensures that you sleep for longer and wake up energized.
Additionally, pineapple juice has the right amount of vitamin C and exactly meets the daily limit.
6. Guava Juice
As an exotic fruit beverage, guava juice has a pleasantly sweet flavor with a pear-like texture.
Orange juice is a refreshing beverage but if you’re looking for something that can further reduce stress, then guava juice is an alternative.
It has 7.5 mg of magnesium which accounts for 7% of the daily recommended limit. This means that drinking a cup of guava juice a day is a great start to reduce tension.
It is a refreshing beverage that is also on par with orange juice when it comes to vitamin C content. Additionally, guava juice is known for its sun protection properties.
7. Grapefruit Juice
Grapefruit juice is more sour and tarty than orange juice but it is still a good alternative as a breakfast beverage.
It is full of vitamin C and vitamin A which pose a powerful combination boosting your immunity against colds and flu.
Grapefruit juice is also low in calories but still has a long list of vitamins and minerals. In particular, it has 320 mg of potassium which regulates fluid in the body.
It is also made of 92% water and has the highest water content among the fruit juices, making grapefruit juice a good beverage for hydration throughout the day.
For Cooking
8. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is another versatile stand-alone drink or an additional flavoring to a variety of cooking. It is vastly similar to orange juice, only a bit more sour and tangy.
It can give a fresh flavor to gravies. Although it has a different kind of sweetness than OJ, the sharp zesty taste bonds well with any savory sauce.
Additionally, lemon juice can also act as a marinade. Orange juice marinades tend to taste sweet and fruity, however, lemon juice takes it to another level.
The meat soaked with lemon juice for a few hours has a subtle tangy flavor, provides a little kick to the dish, and tenderizes it.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another alternative to orange juice that brings out an acidic smell. It tastes sour and fruity with bitter notes.
It is a pantry staple due to its wide variety of uses, including stir-fries, marinades, and stews. It is considered the best alternative to orange juice when you want to add a little kick to your recipes.
You can braise meat using apple cider vinegar for added flavor and to soften it. It is also a good dressing for a variety of salads or as a simmer sauce for barbecues.
10. Lime Juice
Lime juice is similar to lemon juice when it comes to sweetness, but it has a different flavor profile when used in cooking.
It is more tarty and bitter than lemon and orange juice which makes it a great alternative if you prefer something unique in your dishes.
Due to its overpowering flavors, lime juice is effective in flavoring seafood, including shrimps. It also provides some citrus hints to steaks.
For Baking
11. Grand Marnier
Grand Marnier is an orange-based liquor with hints of vanilla and oak. It has 40% alcohol and is made of orange essence, brandy, and sugar.
Commonly used in the kitchen as an alternative to orange juice, Grand Marnier is great particularly as a flavoring to cakes and pastries. It has stronger notes of sweetness though so it should be regulated.
Cream buns, apricots, and even fruit candies can be upgraded with a cup or two of Grand Marnier. In addition, it has a high alcohol content so it goes well with cocktails.
12. Orange Marmalade
Orange marmalade is orange juice but in jam form. It is sweeter than OJ and the sour notes can be found only in minimal amounts.
It is made by boiling orange juice and orange peels with significant amounts of sugar and water. Orange marmalade is an excellent choice if you want to provide a candy sweetness to your recipes.
You can use it as a glaze or toppings. Additionally, it is a great choice as a condiment.
13. Citric Acid
Citric acid is mostly found in citrus fruits but there is a manufactured form you can use as a food additive. It has a tart, sour taste you can find in lemon and orange juice.
Referred to as sour salts, this additive can be found in ice creams and other citrus-based goodies. Since it is high in acid, it makes the flour and batter rice which gives a fluffy cake.
It adds tanginess and sourness to a variety of fruit and non-fruit desserts.
If you want to learn more about orange juice, you can see our related posts on orange juice brands, the best oranges for juicing, and recipes with orange juice.
Conclusion
Orange juice is a popular beverage that is in high demand due to its great flavors and health benefits. When there is no orange juice available, there are other fruit juice alternatives on the market.
You can drink pineapple, apple, and cranberry juice if you’re into sweet, familiar flavors. On the other hand, you can try guava, grapefruit, and prune juice if you feel like exploring.
When cooking, you can use lemon and lime juice instead of orange juice to tenderize the meat and infuse natural citrus flavors. Using apple cider vinegar is also a common practice.
When you’re baking sweets, you can use orange marmalade and Grand Marnier as a substitute for orange juice as they provide similar sweetness to the desserts.