A Happy-Time Sunshiney Good Drink

Even at dusk in late February, I can feel the warm rays

The verdict is still out on what to name this yummy beverage. My husband offered up "Orange Amazing," Mr. Brown, whom we got this recipe from, calls it an "Orange Delicious" (because that well-known title "Orange J@li@s" is a legal trademark), and I have to agree with you there that my idea, "Happy-Time Sunshiney Good," is a tad wordy and takes something out of you every time you have to say it three times fast. But say it nice and slow, leisurely, between fatty-straw slurps of this cold frothy drink and then... well, you'll come to the conclusion that you don't particularly care what it's called. You're just gonna drink it.

To make your own, you'll need these:

A blender

An ice cube [shape of choice] tray

1 cup orange juice, divided

1/2 an orange, zest of

1/2 cup whole milk

1 tablespoon powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Then you do this:

Freeze 3/4 cup of orange juice in an ice cube tray, ahead of time.

Toss the frozen juice, the remaining 1/4 cup of liquid juice, and the rest of it all in a blender. Whirrrrr it up.

Pour it in cups, some for you, some for me.

Drink it, share it.

Smile.

Makes enough for two persons*.

*Truth be told, after the initial loving/savoring with the first few sips you'll probably slurp it down pretty quickly, and as soon as your giddy brain-freeze is melted away, you'll want a bit more. So I suggest doubling the measurements, unless you're not sharing. Keep in mind, sharing is caring!

Notes on pow-sugah: Prior, my husband and I wouldn't have called ourselves even recreational users of the stuff. Not our thing, really. But our home pantry now contains a 1 lb bag, pure, solely for the purpose of making this concoction. If you don't have it and don't have a dealer who can hook you up, you certainly can skip this and you'll still have an awesome creation to imbibe, but your drink will lack a certain somethin' somethin' that granular sugar or agave or whatever just can't provide (it has to do with how quick the sugar dissolves in cold liquid, and the corn starch that exists in the powdered variety makes for a much smoother froth).

Do enjoy!