Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice COPYCAT Recipe
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Welcome back, Hungry Muggles.
Another day, another magical recipe. Every year I dedicate the last week of July to celebrating the wonderful wizarding world of Harry Potter. Today, we are once again apparating back to the real-life Hogsmeade to recreate one of my favorite drinks you can find at the Three Broomsticks: Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice!
While I can’t seem to find anything canonical about this character ‘Otter,’ he (or she) at the very least has some great tastebuds. Otter’s fizzy orange juice tastes like lightly carbonated orange juice with a hint of vanilla and (sometimes) a sugared rim with a hint of cinnamon. Basically, it’s like a magical creamsicle for us muggles.
Seen here with a butterbeer potted cream, Otter’s fizzy orange juice is an underrated alternative to butterbeer at Universal Studios! Based off the drink you can find at the real-life Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, tt’s certainly a very refreshing drink to finish off a long day of wandering the streets of Hogsmeade.
What’s in Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice?
While witches and wizards likely have their own magical supplies for this potion, here are the muggle-friendly ingredients you’ll need to make this drink at home!
Here’s What You Need
- Orange juice – I recommend a low-pulp or pulp-free version of your favorite OJ brand.
- Soda water – If you have a SodaStream, now is the time to bust that bad boy out! If not, you can substitute plain soda water.
- French vanilla creamer – Find this with the coffee creamers! I used sugar-free French vanilla creamer from International Delight.
- Cinnamon and sugar – I used demerara sugar for my rim to give it some crunch, but regular sugar works as well. You can sub out turbinado sugar for the same crunchy effect!
- Honey or simple syrup – For my recipe, I simply used honey on the rim of my glass, and it held the sugar on the rim perfectly. For best results, use a chilled glass!
- Crushed ice – Keeps everything cool and makes the drink refreshing.
Let’s Make Some Magic
First things first, to get the best results, chill your serving glasses for at least an hour. This helps keep the honey and sugar rim from dripping down the glass. If you’re using a SodaStream, get your carbonation on and chill the water for at least an hour too.
Sugar Rim Magic
Pour a little honey on a shallow dish or plate, making sure it’s thick enough to coat the rims of your glasses. Flip each glass over into the honey, giving them a sweet edge. Try not to overdo the honey, especially if your kitchen feels like the Great Hall on a hot summer day.
In another dish, whisk together your cinnamon and sugar. Dip those honeyed rims into the sugar mix until they’re nicely coated. Feel free to channel your inner potion master here.
Mix the Potion
Now it’s time to fill each glass about 3/4 of the way with crushed ice. Pour the creamer over the ice so it seeps to the bottom. Add enough orange juice to cover the ice, and then top off your drink with soda water. Want it fizzier? Add more soda water. Looking for something more juice-like? Use less soda water.
Alternative Method to Try!
My method to recreate this delicious drink uses coffee creamer to give a creamy taste and texture. But if you prefer a dairy-free option, you can sub out the coffee creamer and soda water and replace them both with cream soda! The result will taste nearly the same without any dairy creamer involved.
Tips for Making Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice
- Adjusting Sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar on the rim to your liking. It adds a sweet touch that contrasts beautifully with the tangy orange juice.
- Chill Everything: Make sure all your ingredients and glasses are chilled to keep the drink refreshing and to prevent the honey from running.
- SodaStream Option: If you don’t have one, don’t worry. Regular soda water works just fine, but if you love experimenting with fizz levels, a SodaStream is your new best friend.
- Creamer Choice: You can opt for a sugar-free version if you’re watching sugar intake, but regular French vanilla creamer gives it a classic touch.
- Substitute Cream Soda: If you’re going dairy-free, cream soda is a great alternative to give the same creamy texture and flavor.
Common Questions about Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice
- Can I make this drink in advance?
- It’s best to prepare it just before serving to keep the fizz fresh and the sugar rim intact. If you’re preparing for a party, you can have everything prepped and ready to go in advance.
- What if I don’t have French vanilla creamer?
- You can use regular vanilla creamer or even a tiny splash of vanilla extract with a bit of half-and-half.
- Is there an alcoholic version of this drink?
- Sure! You can add a splash of your favorite vodka or rum for a spirited twist.
- Can I skip the sugared rim?
- Yes, if you’re not a fan of sugar rims or want to cut back on sugar, feel free to skip it. The drink is still delicious without it.
- Is there a way to make this drink healthier?
- Use a sugar-free creamer and soda water, and opt for freshly squeezed orange juice to cut back on added sugars.
Otter’s Fizzy Orange Juice COPYCAT Recipe
Ingredients
FOR SUGAR RIM:
FOR DRINKS:
- 2 cups crushed ice
- 6 oz orange juice
- 2 teaspoons French vanilla coffee creamer
- ¼ cup soda water to top off drinks
Instructions
- For best results, chill all ingredients, including the serving glasses, for at least one hour prior to making the drinks. Prep soda water if doing DIY carbonation (see below).
- In a shallow dish or plate, drizzle the honey so that it is thick enough to coat the rims of each glass. Flip each glass over into the honey to coat the rim. Don't overcoat the rims in honey—if the room temperature is too warm (and the glasses are not chilled), the honey may drip down the sides.
- Whisk together the cinnamon and sugar. Dip the honeyed rims of the glasses into the sugar so that the rims are covered completely.
- Fill each glass about 3/4 of the way full with crushed ice. Pour the creamer over the ice so that it seeps to the bottom. Then fill each glass with enough orange juice to cover the ice. Top off the glass with soda water (or to taste: more for a fizzier drink; less for a more juice-like drink). Serve immediately and enjoy!
FOR DIY SODA WATER:
- If using a SodaStream, prep the water with 3-5 pumps of carbonation. Chill for at least one hour.