Morir soñando (milk and orange juice drink), is a marvelous beverage that should be the official drink of the Dominican summer. This silky drink with refreshingly crisp taste is what dreams are truly made of. It's also an easy-to-make recipe, you could enjoy this in no time!
By - Reviewed: . Original: Jan 3, 2002
Why we ❤️ it
This delicious and nutritious refreshing drink combines some ingredients that are not usually found mixed, a mixture that, although unusual, is still delicious. Even more unusual is its poetic name, like the title of a romantic literature tragedy.
Its name means "to die dreaming", literally translated, and it could not have a more appropriate name. Morir Soñando is the perfect drink to refresh and nourish.
What is morir soñando?
Morir soñando -sometimes called morisoñando- is a Dominican cold drink made by mixing milk and orange juice (lime and bitter oranges may also be used). It is one of the dishes we do not share with the rest of the Spanish Caribbean.
If you love morir soñando, you'll enjoy this Chinola morir soñando batida (passion fruit juice and milk shake) and this Morir soñando popsicles.
In some countries there's an old wives' tale [2] that says that people shouldn't drink milk and orange juice together. Morir Soñando proves it wrong.
Another common belief is that sugar prevents the milk from "curdling" or coagulating. In reality, it's not the sugar, but rather the low temperature at which the ingredients are mixed [2]. Without the specific order in which they are combined, the drink wouldn't turn out right.
Milk and orange juice drink
Serving suggestions
Morir Soñando is usually served as a dinner drink or a mid-afternoon snack.
As a bonus to the thirst-quenching, heat-busting goodness of this drink, it is also very nutritious, great with Dominican sandwiches, lovely with something as simple as a Dominican avocado sandwich or a Dominican cheese and ham sandwich, and perfect as a snack for the little ones.
Top tips
- Preparation order: Without the special order of preparation specified in the recipe, the mix will curdle. Having all the ingredients cold before mixing is the trick. Sugar has nothing to do with it [2].
- Morir soñando de limón (and other fruits): Other less-common options include using lime juice (limón in Dominican Spanish), using just half the amount of orange juice.
- Garnish: For a great presentation, garnish with an orange or lime slice or -if you can find it- a slice of gorgeous carambola.
- Low-carb morir soñando for diabetics: Diabetics or those on low-carb diets, take note; you can use a sweetener instead.
- Low-fat morir soñando: If you are mindful of your fat consumption, try low-fat milk, the taste is slightly different, and it won't have the same creaminess as with a more fat-heavy dairy, but it works just fine.
- Vegan morir soñando: If you are a vegan or avoid dairy products, you can use almond milk instead of regular milk, the taste is different, but it still is very delicious.
- Without evaporated milk: While morir soñando with evaporated milk is the preferred version for many people, it is not the only one. You can use whole milk, or even skim milk to make morir soñando, and I have tried great vegan versions with dairy substitutes.
- With condensed milk? Morir soñando is not typically made with condensed milk, but if you wish to experiment, you can use condensed milk but leave out the sugar and only use sugar-free juice.
About the recipe
Making Morir soñando isn't rocket science, and it's a great child-friendly recipe, so you can hardly get anything wrong.
There are few things you can change in Morir Soñando. It is a drink of few ingredients and simple preparation. Even so, different homes may have different versions.
This is my recipe and all the things I've tried in the past and that I know work great.
Something different we have done with our recipe is offering a few changes you can make to adapt it to some special diets. It is important to remember that these changes will change the taste, but not so much that you can not enjoy a glass of ice-cold Morir Soñando. Find some inspiration here:
If you have a secret or tip that you'd like to share, I'd love to read it in the comments.
Salud!
Video
Recipe
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Morir Soñando [Video+Recipe] Milk and Orange Juice Drink
Ingredients
- 4 cup evaporated milk
- ¾ cup sugar (white, granulated), (may not use it all)
- 1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract, (optional)
- 2 cup of ice cubes, (may be crushed ice)
- 2½ cup orange juice, (best fresh, but without pulp)
Instructions
1. Combine
Chill the milk in a large pitcher. Add sugar to milk to taste. Stir in vanilla. Add ice and stir. Slowly, pour in the orange juice while stirring vigorously.
2. Serve
Pour into 4 highball glasses and serve immediately.
Cook's Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutrition information.
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The name
Morir Soñando is uniquely-Dominican. The name at least is (Orange Julius is a similar drink with a much less poetic name [1].) I haven't been able to track the origin of the drink, or how it came to acquire the name, but it's clear that it has existed for generations in the Dominican Republic --or at least as long as we've had refrigeration.
Unlike many of our dishes, this is one that doesn't exist in the rest of the Spanish Caribbean; as far as I know (please let me know if you know differently).
More orange recipes
Aside from the simple Jugo de china (orange juice), Chimi sauce, and Morir soñando, that are made from sweet oranges, we mostly use bitter orange (Valencia orange) to make Dulce de naranja, to season meats, to make Dominican sazón, and in Wasakaka sauce.
References
1. Orange Julius - The Kitchn
2. ¿Cómo se hacen las bebidas con leche y zumo? - Gominolas de Petroleo
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