Sunny Cooler

Three ingredients, two minutes, one tall glass of frothy orange goodness. The Sunny Cooler is a yogurt smoothie that tastes like a melted Creamsicle, and it’s about as simple as a blender recipe gets.

Orange juice concentrate is the key here. It’s thicker and more intensely flavored than regular OJ, so you get a bold orange punch without watering down the yogurt. A quarter cup of concentrate blended with a full cup of plain yogurt creates that creamy-meets-citrus balance that makes this feel like a treat rather than a health drink.

The tablespoon of sugar smooths out the tartness of the yogurt and the acidity of the concentrated OJ. Taste before serving. Depending on how tart your yogurt is and how sweet your concentrate brand runs, you may want a touch more or less.

Blend on high for a full two minutes. That sounds like a long time for three ingredients, but the extended blending is what makes it frothy and light. A quick 30-second blend gives you a thick smoothie. Two minutes gives you something airy and almost whipped.

Serve immediately. The froth starts to collapse as it sits, and the orange and yogurt layers can separate if it stands too long.

Kitchen Tips

• Use full-fat plain yogurt for the richest, creamiest texture. Non-fat works but tastes thinner.
• Keep the OJ concentrate frozen until you’re ready to blend. It helps keep the drink cold without needing ice.
• For a colder drink, add 3-4 ice cubes to the blender. It dilutes slightly but stays frosty longer.

Variations

• Tropical cooler: Add ¼ cup frozen mango or pineapple chunks alongside the orange concentrate.
• Protein boost: Blend in a scoop of vanilla protein powder for a post-workout version.