The Perfect Orange Julius

This orange julius is balm to my sneezy, runny-nosed, bleary-eyed existence.  It is smooth, sweet, refreshing.  Thick enough you can eat it with a spoon, but not so thick that you can't sip it if you'd prefer.  I'm doing a little of both.

And I'm already feeling better.

It's got to be this orange julius.

Or maybe it's the loratadine and the two acetaminophen I took, finally kicking in.

The Perfect Orange Julius
6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 c milk
1 c water
1/2 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla (the good kind, the Mexican kind, preferably the kind that comes in the bottle with the red rooster)*
20 ice cubes
Put all your ingredients in a blender, except the ice cubes.  Add 10 of the ice cubes and blend until smooth.  Your drink will start to get frothy.  Toss in your 10 remaining ice cubes and blend until smooth.  Taste for texture; if you like it, serve immediately.  If you want it a little icier, add more ice.

Disclosure:  This makes a full blender, so you better either be really sick or willing to share.  Or you could freeze the leftover and then scoop it into a fizzy lemon-lime soda.

*This is the really good vanilla.  It smells so pure, so truly vanilla-y, that you'll want to drink it straight from the bottle.  But if you take even a little sip, you will change your mind.  However, this vanilla will change your life - or at least your baking.