In the day of high-end smoothie joints (Jamba Juice© for example) the simple Orange J drink is an overlooked throwback to well…a simpler time. I had a friend in middle school and early high school who was obsessed with hanging out at the mall. It was the mid 80’s so that was pretty much all there was to do and it was cool to be seen. Of course it was the mid 80’s and we were all dorks. But I digress….I was stuck at the mall with her most Saturday’s and had little money – where she on the other hand had a lot of spare money (due to a pair of overly indulgent Baby Boomer parents). She’d wander through the stores buying what she wanted. I was pretty much bored being broke but usually would spend the couple of dollars I had on a cold drink at the Orange J. stand in the food court. In the days before Starbucks it was as close as one got to having a brand in the hand that was visible to others.
Last night I wanted something cold but not a coffee frappe (since it was almost 9 pm!) so I made a sort of Orange J up. Is it authentic? No. Did it taste good? Yes. The amount of sugar can be adjusted, most will want it sweeter.
Faux Orange J Drink
Ingredients:
1/2 cup orange juice (preferably not from concentrate)
1/2 cup low-fat milk
2 Tbsp powdered sugar (or up to 1/4 cup depending on taste)
2 tsp Meringue Powder
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup ice cubes
Directions:
Add everything to your blender, process at high on ‘frappe’ setting till smooth. (If yours doesn’t have a frappe setting use a similar setting)
Serves 1.
~Sarah