Orange Breakfast Shake

Fresh orange juice, skim milk, vanilla, and just a teaspoon of sugar blended together into a bright, creamy shake that tastes like a melted Creamsicle.

The trick is using fresh-squeezed OJ rather than the carton stuff. Fresh juice has a brighter, more rounded citrus flavor that blends smoother with dairy. The skim milk keeps things light while still giving the shake body, and the vanilla pulls the orange and milk flavors together so it reads as one cohesive drink rather than separate ingredients.

Blend until completely smooth. If you see any separation, just give it another few seconds.

Pro Tips

• Chill all the ingredients beforehand for the coldest shake without diluting it with ice.
• If you want it thicker, freeze the orange juice in an ice cube tray the night before and blend from frozen.
• Fresh-squeezed works best, but if using store-bought, grab the not-from-concentrate variety with pulp for more texture.

Variations

• Add a frozen banana for a thicker, naturally sweeter smoothie.
• Swap skim milk for coconut milk for a tropical twist.
• Toss in a handful of frozen strawberries for an orange-strawberry version.