Way Better Orange Julius

I would like to begin this next post by apologizing. Because if you make this recipe correctly, it will forever ruin Orange Julius for you. I am sorry. Every time I walk past Orange Julius I think, "Mmm! I should get one of those!" But then I remember the last time I purchased a cup of disappointment from there. Right about now you might be thinking, "WHAT?! This chick is outta line!!!" I know it sounds harsh. But once you taste excellence... good doesn't taste quite so good anymore.

So what makes this Julius so special? To quote Papa Johns- "Better ingredients, better... Julius!" Fresh oranges! That's why Orange Julius just can't compete with this homemade recipe with real oranges. It would be way too costly for them to add fresh oranges to each Julius. But not too costly for you! So enjoy! Even though you will never be able to go back to that once delicious Julius Stand (at least I know I can't).  And you can even play with this! I wonder how orange zest would taste in it...

1-2 Whole oranges, peeled

1/2 C milk

Vanilla to taste (start with 1 tsp.)

1T instant vanilla pudding powder (or more to taste)

Ice to consistency. About 1-2 cups

Orange Juice Concentrate (just in case)

Add all except pudding mix to the blender and begin to blend. While the blender is on add the pudding mix. I make this recipe mostly to taste. A lot of times on the first taste I notice that the orange flavor is a bit insipid. (haha! Insipid! My new vocabulary word! ;p It means lacking flavor or zest! ;) If you find it to be insipid, you can add another orange and/or a bit of the orange juice concentrate to taste. Add ice if you feel it's too thin.

Italian Cream Soda

(Yep, not mine)

I first had this at Olive Garden. Now that I know how to make it, Olive Garden or other places versions pale in comparison. This is love in a glass! Holy Smokes, baby! Drink it up! Sodalicous! ;) Easy, and fun! 

1 C Carbonated Water

3 Tbl. Flavored Syrup (Like Torani. I like raspberry)

2-4 Tbl. half and half or cream

Whipped cream on top!

Pour each in, and mix up. Play with this. I always "eyeball" it. If it's not sweet enough, add some more syrup. If you want it a little creamier (which I love it that way!) add some more cream, until it's perfection! Love in a glass! ;)

Lemon Citrus Punch

This "Punch" has many names, but whatever you decide to call it, it tastes great! It is very light and refreshing! Not so overwhelming as Lemonade or Punch, in fact, The first name that I tried it under was Japanese Lemon Water or something like that. Don't get me wrong though! This isn't some watered down lemon mediocrity! This drink is elegant and perfect! I've even made it for my sister's wedding and whenever I make it for any occasion, everyone always loves it and it is so incredibly easy to make! I believe you can even freeze the syrup. So sit back and sip some light, sweet, lemony goodness!

5 quarts water

3 C. Sugar

1 Tbls. Lemon Extract

1 Tbls. Citric Acid

Now from here you can go 1 of 2 ways. You can mix all together and then serve, but I usually make a syrup: heat 4 cups water with sugar until sugar dissolves then add extract and citric acid. Keep in container. When ready to serve mix with water and ice (careful not to dilute it!) and garnish with sliced Citrus fruit (limes, lemons, oranges you could even add other fruits like strawberries etc.). If you feel you want more flavor add equal parts acid and extract.

Mocha... No! CHOCOLATE Punch

This picture DOES NOT do it justice!!! Taste of Home mag.

Oh my lusciousness!!! My precious!!! This is drinkably delicious!!!! It's like chocolate milk and a chocolate milkshake combined!! The perfect temperature of cold! I made it for the first time tonight and everyone said, "Oh! Wow! That IS good!" SOOOO EASY! SOOOOO GOOD!! I made it for 9 of us girls, and with a few second helpings, there was just enough ( I wanted to drink the last of it straight out of the punch bowl, but then, that might have been embarrassing). Enjoy! :)

1 1/2 Quarts Water (warm enough to dissolve sugar and hot chocolate mix)
1/2 Cup Instant Cocoa Mix
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Cocoa (I add more to make it extra chocolaty! :)
1/2 Gallon Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream

Optional:
Whipped Cream
Chocolate Shavings

Mix sugar, cocoa, and hot chocolate mix in a picture. Pour water in and mix until everything is dissolved. I always do things to taste,(key to making things TASTE good!) Taste it! Make sure it's chocolatey enough. Keep in mind you will be diluting it with ice cream. Refrigerate at least until cold enough to serve (I put it in my freezer for 2 hours, or 4 hours in the fridge) You can even make it ahead of time and leave it in the fridge overnight . Before serving a few minutes before you are ready to serve, pour into a punch bowl and add ice cream by the scoopfuls ( I actually ended up using Breyers triple chocolate ice cream). Stir until partially melted and slushy (make sure and leave a few delicious clumps of ice cream!). Garnish with dollops of whipped cream and chocolate shavings/curls. Get ready to meet your density! I MEAN destiny! ;)