Ringeman Ruffies - Vodka, Peach Schnapps & Orange Juice Highball

The Ringeman Ruffies cocktail is a straightforward vodka highball built around peach schnapps and orange juice. The vodka provides a clean base, peach schnapps adds concentrated stone-fruit sweetness, and a generous pour of orange juice stretches everything into a bright, easy-drinking serve. With only three ingredients and no shaker required, it is especially approachable for home bartenders.

Background

A firmly documented origin for Ringeman Ruffies is difficult to establish, so it should not be presented as a historical classic with a specific creation story. Structurally, it sits close to the Screwdriver family of vodka-and-orange drinks, with peach schnapps adding the defining fruit-liqueur element and distinguishing it from the simpler two-ingredient highball.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Vodka - provides a clean, neutral spirit base.
• Peach Schnapps - adds concentrated peach flavor and sweetness.
• Orange Juice - lengthens the drink with citrus, fruit sweetness, and mild acidity.

No peach schnapps? Peach liqueur is the closest substitute, though sweetness and alcohol level can vary between brands. Citrus vodka can replace plain vodka for a more pronounced citrus profile.

Equipment

• Highball glass
• Jigger
• Bar spoon
• Ice

Why the Peach Addition Works

Orange and peach naturally overlap in their soft, ripe-fruit character, but they contribute different things here. Orange juice provides most of the volume and keeps the drink from becoming overly spirit-forward, while peach schnapps adds enough concentrated flavor to make this feel distinct from a basic Screwdriver. Vodka stays deliberately neutral so the fruit remains the focus.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use citrus vodka for a sharper citrus edge.
• Try peach liqueur in place of peach schnapps for a different balance of fruit and sweetness.
• Add soda water for a lighter, sparkling variation.
• Swap part of the orange juice for cranberry juice for extra tartness and color.
• Use blood orange juice for a deeper citrus flavor and darker appearance.

Helpful Tips

• Fresh orange juice gives the drink a brighter, fresher finish.
• Chill the vodka and juice beforehand to reduce unnecessary dilution.
• Use plenty of ice because this is designed as a long, cold highball.
• Stir only until combined. There is no need for aggressive mixing.
• An orange slice makes the most natural garnish and reinforces the drink's main citrus aroma.
• For a batch, combine vodka, peach schnapps, and orange juice in the same proportions and keep chilled until serving over ice.