Roasted Vanilla Orange Juice
Recipe Reviews

We haven't seen the sun in almost two weeks here in Kansas City, so in order to bring a little cheer to our day, we thought now would be a great time to test out this recipe for Roasted Vanilla Orange Juice. It's subtle and sweet with a hint of ooh-la-la and is sure to win over friends and family alike — that is, if there's any left.

Although orange juice is delicious in its own right, every girl likes to wear a new party dress once in a while, especially when it involves a quick run through the oven with some caramelized results. This beverage is perfect for a party, wedding or baby shower, or for a special treat in the morning when you need a little pick-me-up. Here's how to make it:

Roasted Vanilla Orange Juice
Yields about 3 cups (depending on the size of your orange)
Originally from Feasting On Art

4 large oranges
1 vanilla pod, split
3 c water
1/2 c sugar

Juice 3 oranges and set aside. Slice the fourth orange into 3 large sections and place in an 8x8 baking pan with 1 cup water and 1/4 cup sugar and the vanilla pod. Roast for 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until the oranges and the sugar/water they're sitting in become thicker and begin to caramelize. Don't wait until it's extra thick or else it will turn to orange candy in your pan, which although tasty, isn't what you're going for in this recipe! Remove from the oven and let cool.

Mix the remaining sugar and water until dissolved over high heat in a small saucepan. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let cook for about 5 minutes. Set aside and cool.

Once the roasted oranges have cooled, juice and discard the rinds. We found it easiest to ball it up in your hand and just squeeze, they're soft enough it's the easiest way to extract all that tasty goodness. Scrape the vanilla seeds from the pod and add to the juice. Strain (if possible) the water and sugar mixture from the baking pan and add it to the mix. Once the simple syrup in the sauce pan is cool add to the juice mixture and then chill in the refrigerator. Serve cold.

It's like a creamsicle in a cup and is the perfect counterpart for so many dishes!

• Related: Recipe: D.I.Y. Orange Smoothie

(Image: Sarah Rae Trover)

Comments (8)

Sounds fantastic. I have a quick question though. Can you use vanilla paste rather than a vanilla pod?

You could use vanilla paste without worry, just make sure to stir the paste into the water and sugar before tossing it into the oven!

This does sound yummy except I am not sure that i would want the extra sugar without something to balance it like alcohol. I might try roasting orange halves some day and squeezing them to see how that tastes to start with.

On the flip side this sounds like something that might be good with a splash of soda water in it? Those bubbles tend to go well with the sweetness the sugar would be giving.

We've actually been sipping on this mixture with soda water all morning long, Astur! You could forgo the extra sugar, but I might suggest caramelizing an extra orange to help out in the long run of it's flavor.

What about vanilla extract? I can't seem to find actual vanilla beans in the shops near me.

You can use vanilla extract, just make sure to add it in the end, once everything has cooled. It won't have the same pretty flair that the little seeds do, or the same amazing smell that will fill your house, but will make do!

You can also order Vanilla online, ebay is a great source for it!

Did y'all roast your oranges rind side up or down?

I roasted mine rind side down for the ends, though since I cut them into thirds (after the ends were taken off), most pieces had two cut sides.