Like liquid faith erasing all your cares and woes, if only for a moment. Here is a quick and easy recipe to quench your thirst while simultaneously filling you with a sense of nostalgia.
It's barely Spring, the weather isn't quite ready for this, but I can't help myself. I love Winter but I am sick of it for now. I'm ready for something different like road trips, gardening, outdoor projects, and fun in the sun. A refreshing ice-cold beverage is a perfect way to give Winter a proper goodbye for now and usher in the Spring scene.
Nostalgia
"Let's go to the mall"
I believe it all started in the late sixties but peaked in the seventies with the rise of the large, enclosed shopping center known as the mall. I'm sure malls have been around probably for centuries in some form or another but my neighborhood obtained one in the seventies and this was the place to be. If your town had a mall, it most likely had an Orange Julius which was a frozen juice stand. They did one thing to perfection, the orange Julius while offering a few other menu items such as soft pretzels and hotdogs. More often than not, a trip to the mall with my family usually meant enjoying a soft hot pretzel and an orange Julius.
"What is this mysterious devil juice?"
The Orange Julius stand was fascinating to me as a child. Their logo was captivating and adorable. It featured Julius, a devil, holding a drink (Orange Julius). He sits on top of an orange speared by his trident with the slogan "A Devilish Good Drink". https://i.pinimg.com/originals/88/8f/bd/888fbdd2b72501e79befd989fe512e91.jpg
As a child, I remember wondering why my family was introducing me to what clearly seemed to be a beverage from the pit of hell. My brother assured me that Julius was a good devil who, because he is good, was cast out of hell. He now uses his delicious beverage to bring smiles and happiness to people and if enough people enjoy it, he will gain redemption in the eyes of the Lord. Well, of course, my brother would never lie to me. So, this was a good enough explanation for me, I gave it a try and it was magically delicious.
Let's Make It
Now, I am not one to dabble in the dark arts so I don't know the EXACT recipe for this concoction. I am fairly certain the employees of Orange Julius don't even know. They received the liquid already pre-mixed and only had to add ice to make it for customers. This is, I believe, about as close as you can get to the real thing. At any rate, it is really good. It will take about 5 minutes and has only five ingredients. Depending on the size of your glasses, it will make roughly 2-4 servings.
Ingredients
Orange juice - 2 cups
Ice - 1 cup - or approximately 12 ice cubes
Vanilla extract - 2 Tsp
Milk - 1 cup
Sugar - 1/4 cup
*I use real orange juice. You can use frozen concentrate (1 package) but it may alter the amount of sugar as per the package. Just use real juice, it will be better.
Directions
Make sure your blender is assembled properly.
Add the ingredients except for the ice
Blend it until mixed
Then add the ice cubes
Blend it until smooth and frothy
Pour, Serve, and Enjoy!
It doesn't get any better. Well, it does if you live in a town that still has an Orange Julius stand. Orange Julius was bought by Dairy Queen in 1987 but a few of the original stands are still in existence. Many Dairy Queens offer the original Orange Julius on their menu as well. So, look for it next time you go. You won't be disappointed.
I hope you enjoy this simple recipe and maybe it will take you back to happy times. At any rate, it will make your current day a little more enjoyable. Thanks for reading and have a blessed day.