The cocktail notebook · Vodka
Screwdriver
Orange-led, citrus-sweet and lightly tart. The measures are our house teaching specification; other bars may use different ratios.
- Base
- vodka
- Method
- Build
- Glass
- Highball
- Yield
- One drink
Recipe reference: Original house specification. Original house measure 50:100; not claimed as a current IBA recipe.
Screwdriver recipe
1 serving · Original house specificationMillilitres control this recipe. US fluid ounces are rounded to the nearest quarter ounce for convenience and are not a different recipe ratio. Dashes, spoons, leaves and other non-liquid measures are listed as written.
| Measure | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 50 ml≈ 1.75 US fl oz | vodka |
| 100 ml≈ 3.5 US fl oz | orange juice, selected house product |
Ice: Cubed ice. Garnish: 1 orange slice, house garnish.
Learning bar service? Find the Screwdriver in the free course's optional references →
How to make it
- Prepare a highball with fresh cubed ice.
- Measure vodka over the ice.
- Add the measured cold orange juice.
- Lift gently to combine and garnish.
Why it works: A fixed house ratio is more repeatable than an unspecified top-up. Orange juice does not make alcohol content disappear.
Common mistakes, useful fixes
Variable strength
measure both components.
Bitter juice
check freshness and product.
Poor integration
lift gently after pouring.
Serving the guest
What to tell the guest
Orange-led, citrus-sweet and lightly tart. A fixed house ratio is more repeatable than an unspecified top-up. Orange juice does not make alcohol content disappear.
Dietary and product checks
Check exact products, declared allergens and cross-contact controls before service.
Variations
- Any adaptation needs a recorded recipe and an honest description. Explain that it contains a measured vodka pour and offer plain juice or an alcohol-free drink.
Where does the Screwdriver come from?
Origin: Origin not yet verified in this edition. (Origin not yet verified in this edition)
The name has prompted colourful invention stories, but this course does not treat an unverified tale as fact. The lesson instead establishes the simple vodka-and-orange structure and an explicit house ratio. That gives a reliable starting point for service while acknowledging that venue recipes can differ.
Screwdriver questions
What is the house vodka-to-juice ratio?
1:2, using 50 ml vodka and 100 ml orange juice.
What preparation detail matters for this order?
A fixed house ratio is more repeatable than an unspecified top-up. Orange juice does not make alcohol content disappear.
From a recipe to a repeatable skill
Learn the method behind the order.
Screwdriver is an optional reference recipe in Essential Cocktails & Bar Foundations. Useful two-ingredient reference; limited additional technique after measured highballs.
The course is free. An optional paid certificate tests knowledge in an online exam; it is not an observed practical assessment or an accredited bartending qualification.