Fuzzy Navel

Here’s the best Fuzzy Navel recipe, that 1980’s drink with OJ and peach schnapps! A few tricks take it to star level.

The Fuzzy Navel has a reputation that precedes it, right? This fruity party drink is a child of the 1980’s, a marriage of peach schnapps and orange juice. Like so many drinks of that era, it’s too sweet and uses a trendy ingredient that was novel at the time. But guess what? This drink isn’t all that bad. In fact, you can make a classy Fuzzy Navel drink to rival any Screwdriver or Harvey Wallbanger! We were surprisingly won over by this one and its “pleasantly peachy” aroma. Here are the tricks to the best version of this drink recipe!

What’s a Fuzzy Navel?

The Fuzzy Navel is a highball cocktail that mixes peach schnapps and orange juice. It was invented in the 1980’s as a marketing ploy for DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps, launched in 1984. What’s in the name? Fuzzy refers to peach fuzz, and navel refers to orange, though of course you can let your mind wander to other meanings. The drink was inspired by the classic orange juice and vodka combination in the Screwdriver, and remains popular to this day.

Fuzzy Navel ingredients

The Fuzzy Navel ingredients are often combined in an equal parts ratio, but this makes for an intensely sweet, searing peach drink. A better ratio for a more balanced drink is:

• 1 part peach schnapps
• 2 parts orange juice

How to make the best Fuzzy Navel: 4 tips!

The Fuzzy Navel is a 1980’s party drink, so there’s really no need to turn it into a sophisticated craft cocktail. At the same time, there are a few things you can do to class it up so it becomes the best version of its former 1980’s glory. Here’s what we recommend for the best Fuzzy Navel recipe:

• Use the 1:2 ratio. Equal parts is much too strong! A balanced Fuzzy Navel recipe has less peach schnapps than OJ.
• Use no sugar added orange juice, or fresh! Grab the best quality brand of orange juice you can: no sugar added is a must. Even better, make it with fresh orange juice! You’ll taste the difference.
• Use clear ice. Clear ice is artisan-style ice that’s crystal clear instead of cloudy like normal ice. Cut it into large cubes, and it makes the drink look like you got it at a fancy bar.
• Add garnishes. A few orange slices and mint sprigs takes the drink from blah to beautiful.

What is peach schnapps?

Peach schnapps is the main ingredient in a Fuzzy Navel. But what actually is it?

• Peach schnapps is a type of schnapps made by adding peach flavoring to a clear grain spirit. So, it’s not vodka. It was introduced in 1984 under the DeKuyper brand and quickly became the top selling schnapps in America. (As a note, we avoid DeKuyper for other liqueurs like triple sec and creme de cassis, since on the lower end of the quality spectrum.)
• What does peach schnapps taste like? The flavor is intensely fruity and peachy. A little goes a long way!
• What other drinks use peach schnapps? Use it in place of peach puree in a Bellini, or add a little swig to intensify the flavors in a Peach Margarita. Or, just combine it with bubbles and a squeeze of lime (sometimes called a Fizzy Peachtree).

Serving a crowd? Make a pitcher!

Want to make thisFuzzy Navel recipe for a crowd? Make a pitcher! It’s easy to throw together and takes just a few minutes to make 8 servings. Here’s what to pour together in a pitcher:

• 2 cups peach schnapps
• 4 cups orange juice
• Add a few handfuls of ice
• Orange wheels and mint sprigs, as a garnish

Put this together, and it looks lovely in a large pitcher: a bit more classy than its 1980’s party counterpart.

Variations and related cocktails

There are several cocktails that are related to the Fuzzy Navel, most of them orange juice cocktails! Here are some of its relative drinks:

• Hairy Navel Swap half of the peach schnapps for vodka (see the recipe below).
• Screwdriver The classic highball brunch drink, starring OJ and vodka
• Harvey Wallbanger Another 1980’s drink with OJ and galliano liqueur
• Mimosa Invented in the 1920’s, it mixes OJ and sparkling wine (Prosecco or champagne)
• Tequila Sunrise Pair tequila, OJ and grenadine for a sunrise-colored drink

When to serve a Fuzzy Navel

The Fuzzy Navel is great for brunch, or as a laid back drink for patio sipping. It’s best as a:

• Brunch drink
• Summer drink
• Afternoon drink
• Patio drink
• Happy hour drink
• Cocktail hour drink

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