On Wednesday, December 10th, The Knockturnal attended Citrus Wonderland, hosted by Florida Orange Juice, the original wellness drink, at Union Square Kitchen. The immersive culinary experience celebrated food, flavor, and wellness just in time for the holidays. In partnership with celebrity chef and TV personality Jordan Andino, the event invited guests to explore creative ways to incorporate orange juice into seasonal cooking far beyond the breakfast table.
Throughout the night, Chef Andino led live cooking demonstrations highlighting the versatility of Florida Orange Juice across both savory dishes and desserts. From soy and citrus braised duck to miso orange glazed salmon to the orange juice spiced cookies, each recipe showed how citrus can add depth, balance richness, and brighten winter meals. The demos also demonstrated practical uses, like how orange juice can tenderize proteins, build layers of flavor, and elevate classic holiday dishes.
Guests continued the citrus journey with passed bites served throughout the space, including pan-seared scallops finished with a chipotle Florida Orange Juice sauce. For dessert, the cranberry orange semifreddo was a standout. Every dish incorporated citrus in a way that felt thoughtful, and fun.
Adding to the experience was a dedicated mocktail station serving zero-proof holiday drinks made with Florida Orange Juice. Drinks included the Holly Jolly Spritzer (2 cups Florida Orange Juice, 2 cups cranberry juice, 1 2/3 cups sparkling elderflower drink), Merry Mimosa Mist (1 1/2 ounces Florida Orange Juice, 5 raspberries, 3/4 ounce lemon juice, 3/4 ounce simple syrup, ice; mocktail option: sparkling lemonade, alcoholic option: champagne; garnish: Florida orange twist and raspberry), and Mele Kalikimaka Mocktail (1/2 cup Florida Orange Juice, 1/2 cup Florida grapefruit juice, 2 tablespoons frozen strawberries), each bringing festive options that felt celebratory without the alcohol.
The evening continued to lean into wellness. Nutritionist Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD, was on site to share insight into the benefits of 100% orange juice, from supporting hydration and immune health to aiding energy metabolism during a season often filled with over indulgence and packed schedules.
More than just a tasting, Citrus Wonderland highlighted how wellness and creativity can coexist in the kitchen, proving that intentional, nutritious choices can still be flavorful and fun, even during the holiday season.
Photo Credit: Florida Orange Juice