Drinks - Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's double post deals with drinks.

Why drinks? Well, most of us get tired eating the same thing, day in and day out. Same with drinks. That said, check out the Orange Dream Shakes, the Raspberry Basil Iced Tea, and the rest of today's drinks. Enjoy!

STRAWBERRY ORANGE SMOOTHIE

This is from American Heart Association, and begins, "This fruit-filled, four-ingredient smoothie makes for a quick and easy satisfying snack, dessert, or breakfast. Frozen berries give it a frothy texture."

Makes 2 servings; Serving Size: 1 cup

To view this online, go to https://recipes.heart.org/en/recipes/strawberry-orange-smoothie.

Ingredients

10 frozen, unsweetened strawberries

1 cup fat-free, plain yogurt

1/2 cup 100% orange juice

1/2 teaspoon stevia sweetener

OR

1 stevia sweetener packet

Directions

In a food processor or blender, process all the ingredients until smooth.

RASPBERRY BASIL ICED TEA

This is from American Heart Association, and begins, "Refresh with this simple and deliciously fruity tea."

This can be viewed at https://recipes.heart.org/en/recipes/raspberry-basil-iced-tea.

Ingredients

8 cups unsweetened decaffeinated iced tea

2 cups raspberries (washed)

8 fresh basil leaves (washed)

no-calorie sweetener (granulated, 6 packets)

Directions

In a 2-quart pitcher, combine tea, raspberries, basil and no-calorie sweetener. Gently stir and refrigerate overnight.

Add ice to individual glass and pour iced tea in each through a strainer to remove bits of herbs and fruit. Stir and enjoy.

ORANGE DREAM SHAKES

This absolutely divine drink comes from Publix. Makes 4 servings, total time: 10 minutes.

To view this online, go to https://www.publix.com/recipe/orange-dream-shakes.

Ingredients

3–4 large oranges, for juice

3 tablespoons orange blossom honey

1 cup ice cubes

3 cups vanilla ice cream

Directions

Squeeze oranges for juice (1 1/2 cups).

Add to blender (in this order): juice, honey, ice cubes, and ice cream. Process until smooth; serve.

KEY LIME PIE MILKSHAKES

If you've ever visited or lived in Florida for any length of time, you've no doubt heard of Key Lime Pie. If you're fortunate, you've had a slice or two of the stuff. (If you're really fortunate, you've discovered a restaurant or two that serve great Key Lime Pie.)

One of the many pies sold in many Publix stores throughout Florida is Key Lime Pie. Like many other grocery stores throughout the country, Publix also offers recipes that can be made at home from ingredients found in store. This recipe is one of those, and is definitely worth the effort. (The most difficult part will be waiting the 30 minutes while the pie slices freeze and the ice cream thaws a little in the blender.)

While making this (and waiting that 30 minutes), you might want to listen to this 60 minutes special documentary about Jimmy Buffett.

This recipes makes 4 servings, and takes a total of 35 minutes (active time is 5 minutes).

To view this online, go to https://www.publix.com/recipe/key-lime-pie-milkshakes.

Ingredients

3 slices Bakery Key Lime Pie

4 cups vanilla ice cream

1 cup whole milk

1/4 cup Key Lime juice

Graham crackers, for serving (optional)

8 tablespoons whipped topping, for serving

Lime for zest, for serving (optional)

Directions

Freeze pie 30 minutes (or until firm). Place ice cream in blender and let stand 30 minutes.

Add milk and lime juice to blender, then blend until smooth. Add pie slices to milkshake. Pulse 3–4 times until combined.

Crush graham crackers (if using). Divide shakes among serving glasses. Garnish with whipped topping, graham cracker crumbs, and lime zest (if desired). Serve.

ORANGE JULIUS

This comes from Kelli Foster on TheKitchn. (No, that's not a typo. If you've never checked out TheKitchn, or its sibling site, Apartment Therapy, I highly recommend checking out both. Seriously.)

Anyway, this makes 2 servings. To view the recipe online (along with a little bit about the Orange Julius), go to https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-an-orange-julius-125422.

Ingredients

1 cup milk (whole, 2%, or skim)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 6-ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate

1/2 cup sugar (or sugar substitutes, check package for equivalence)

1 1/2 cups ice

Equipment

Blender

Glasses

Directions

Blend the milk and vanilla: Pour the milk and vanilla in a blender and pulse until combined.

Add the frozen concentrate: Add the frozen orange juice concentrate. Blend until fully combined with the milk.

Add the sugar and ice cubes: Blend until cubes are crushed and mixture has thickened. If things end up a little thick, just add a tablespoon of water and mix once again.

Pour and enjoy: Pour the drink into glasses. Serve with a straw and sip your way to blissful happiness.

Recipe Notes

I used 2% milk, though you can also use whole or skim milk with equally delicious results.

If you don't have orange juice concentrate (or aren't into buying it), I'd suggest freezing fresh orange juice into cubes (or in an 8x8-inch pan, then break it into chunks). Without that added iciness, the overall texture of the drink will change dramatically, and adding more ice in the end just doesn't work. (You end up with a more-soupy, less-flavored version of the original.)

COCOA JAVA

This recipe, from My Food and Family, begins, "You'll need just five minutes and three ingredients to make this tasty coffee drink. Share it with your family for a special treat!"

Prep Time/Total Time: 5 minutes

To view this online, go to https://www.myfoodandfamily.com/recipe/050780/cocoa-java.

Ingredients

2 env. instant hot cocoa mix

1-1/2 cups hot freshly brewed MAXWELL HOUSE Coffee

1/4 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Directions

Empty cocoa mix into 2 large mugs or cups.

Add coffee; stir until mix is dissolved.

Top with COOL WHIP.

Kitchen Tips

Tip 1

Substitute

Prepare using MAXWELL HOUSE Italian Espresso Roast Coffee.

Tip 2

Substitute

Prepare using instant reduced-calorie hot cocoa mix, or flavored instant hot cocoa mix.

Tip 3

Special Extra

To serve garnished with shaved chocolate, pull vegetable peeler across surface of 1 oz. BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate to form shavings. Fill mugs with ingredients as directed; top with shaved chocolate.