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Orange Whip? Orange Whip!


There's a scene in the classic Chicago-set 1980 movie The Blues Brothers where an orange whip drink is mentioned seemingly from out of nowhere. It's randomness is why it works, making it a perfect example of the offbeat humor that made the movie a cult classic.

Having seen the movie many times, I always wondered: Just what the heck's an orange whip, anyway? Is there a reason why it was mentioned in the movie? And finally, can I make one at home?

The Blues Brothers features lots of Chicago scenery and culture, including an exuberant musical number on Maxwell Street and an epic downtown car chase. The plot follows brothers Jake and Elwood Blues (played by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) just after Jake's release from prison as they try to raise enough money to save the orphanage where they grew up before getting arrested for various, mostly driving-related violations. The brothers decide to get their old blues band back together, book a show to raise the money, and then promote the heck out of the show. While they end up playing to a full house, some of those in attendance are law enforcement, including Jake's parole officer, played by John Candy. Rather than arrest the brothers on the spot, Candy's character decides to watch the show first. He orders an orange whip for himself and two unresponsive state troopers, spouting the memorable lines: "Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips!" Candy's delivery is golden. The scene is definitely up there for being one of the most quoted movie lines of all time, and it has inspired internet memes and T-shirt, poster, and sticker designs.

The scene was allegedly improvised. But why, out of all the beverages available in the world, order three orange whips? At the time the movie was filmed, a drink concentrate called Orange Whip was being sold by the Tropical Fruit Company to be served as a fountain beverage. And Kenny Dugan, the sales director for Orange Whip at the time, was the one providing refreshments for the movie cast. Dugan asked the movie's director, John Landis, if his product could be mentioned in the film. Landis mentioned this to Candy, and the rest is history.    

 Orange Whip fountain drink concentrate is now sold by Sunny Sky Products. But the name orange whip also refers to a cocktail made with orange juice, cream, rum, and vodka. If you want to make your own orange whip at home, look no further. This recipe belongs in the as-yet-to-be-realized Blues Brothers Cookbook alongside recipes for "Four Fried Chickens and a Coke" (Jake's signature restaurant order) and "Dry White Toast" (Elwood's signature order). 

Orange Whip Cocktail

-Based on a recipe from Drunkard's Almanac

-Serves 1

4 oz. or 1/2 c. fresh orange juice (juice of 1 large orange)

1 oz. or 2 tbsp. white rum

1 oz. or 2 tbsp. vodka

2 oz. of 1/4 c. heavy cream  

Add all ingredients to a blender. Add 5 or 6 ice cubes and blend to froth. Pour into a tall glass, If you want it extra icy, pour over ice. 

Sources:

Drunkard's Almanac, "Orange Whip Cocktail."

Wikipedia, "Orange Whip."

"Re-making the Famous Non-Alcoholic Orange Whip," Retroist (December 22, 2020).

Sunny Sky Products, "Orange Whip Fountain Drinks."

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