Food & Drink

I Tried Reba McEntire's Unusual Juice Cocktail-and I Wasn't Expecting for It To Be My New 'Forever Love'

By Kenn C. Bivins Parade - Food and Drink Stories

Updated July 17, 2026 6:21 PM

Reba McEntire, or just Reba as she's more commonly known, is a woman of many talents. She sings, she acts and she makes a pretty killer cocktail. That's right, friends: when the Queen of Country isn't effortlessly belting out her greatest hits on stage at The Grand Ole Opry, she's busy serving up cocktails at her restaurant, Reba's Place, in Atoka, Oklahoma. OK, maybe not her personally, but you get the idea.

The down-home Southern comfort food establishment first opened its doors in 2023, and like most things Reba touches, it's been a hit ever since. In addition to turning out dishes like Banana Bread with Bourbon Butter, Dill Pickle Fried Cheese Curds and Nashville Hot Chicken Dip, the buzzy establishment also makes more than a few tipples that are almost too easy to toss back. And luckily for those of us who can't make it to Oklahoma, Reba shared the recipe for one of the most alluring drinks on the menu-the Strange Juice.

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Naturally, I had to give the eye-catching bevy a try myself just to see if it was all style and no substance. Well, I'm happy to report that it's even better than it looks. TL;DR: You need to add this recipe to your summer cocktail rotation. Here's how to make it.

Ingredients for Reba McEntire's Strange Juice Cocktail

To shake up your own Strange Juice Cocktail at home, all you'll need is pineapple juice, lemon juice, oregat syrup (I highly recommend using Liber & Co), crushed ice, purple gin (I used Empress 1908 Indigo Gin as recommended by Reba's recipe), and dehydrated pineapple or fresh pineapple leaves for garnish.

How to Make Reba McEntire's Strange Juice Cocktail

Once you've gathered your ingredients, making this stunning tiki-style cocktail couldn't be any easier. Simply fill your shaker with crushed ice, and then pour in the pineapple juice, lemon juice and oregat syrup. Give it a good shake, and then pour it into a Collins glass filled with ice before topping it off with the gin. Garnish with a fresh pineapple flag or dehydrated pineapple ring, a few washed pineapple leaves and enjoy!

What I Thought of Reba McEntire's Strange Juice Cocktail

To say I loved this cocktail is putting it lightly. It's the kind of drink you order over and over again until you're belting out "Fancy" at some beachside karaoke bar without a care in the world. Not only is this drink visually arresting, but it also tastes as good as it looks. At first sip, I was immediately transported to the tropics and could almost feel the warm, salt-kissed air brushing over my face. It's sweet and fruity with a subtle hint of nuttiness from the oregat, but the real kicker is the gin floater on top.

You're not hit with booze right away; it kind of sneaks up on you, making this cocktail all the more sippable. Best of all, it's one of the more low-effort, high-reward cocktail recipes out there, and that makes it a win in my book. I'll definitely be making this one all summer long.

Tips for Making Reba McEntire's Strange Juice Cocktail

If you want to make your own Strange Juice Cocktail at home, these are the three tips to keep in mind.

1. Don't skip the oregat syrup.

Although you might be tempted to omit it, oregat is one of the key ingredients in this cocktail. It's typically made by grinding whole almonds in water, then infusing the resulting liquid with sugar and orange blossom for a sweet floral aroma. Unlike almond simple syrup, oregat is usually cloudy or milky with a more robust flavor profile. That being said, it can be difficult to find, so we recommend sourcing it in advance if you're planning to make a batch for a party.

2. Fill the glass to the brim with ice.

To achieve the stunning layered effect, it's important that your glass is filled with ice. It helps separate the layers, creating that gorgeous ombré effect.

3. Make it how you want.

Despite the two rules above, this cocktail is so easy to make that you can customize it however you want. Allergic to almonds? Sub in a different simple syrup. Not into pineapple juice? Try it with pomegranate instead. You could even splash in a bit of Yoshi's vibrant Matcha Liqueur if you're looking for a subtle grassy note. As long as you enjoy it, that's all that matters. Cheers!

This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 5:12 PM.