This paper analyzes the prospects for applying optical beams carrying orbital angular momentum (vortex beams) for sensing. We give short retrospectives on environmental properties one can measure with vortex beams, such as liquids turbulence, temperature, and movement. We also propose a new method based on photonic integrated circuits for determining liquids’ refractive index and turbulent properties using vortex beams. The essence of the method is to measure the refractive index and detect the vortex order simultaneously. The developing sensor consists of two microring resonators: a vortex emitter, which also acts as a refractive index-based temperature sensor, and a receiver. This method can potentially increase the measurements’ accuracy and measure the liquid’s turbulence.