Orange Julius

Refreshing & simple Orange Julius takes a minute to make and tastes just like the real thing. It is a favorite family treat!

Homemade Orange Julius is one of our go to breakfast drinks!! To complete the meal, just add one of our favorite breakfast casseroles or a big stack of pancakes.

Orange julius served in a glass with fresh orange slice.

What is an Orange Julius?

Who here has had an Orange Julius before? We’ve been long-time fans and recently decided to try making our own copycat Orange Julius recipe at home. But, what is an Orange Julius?

In the 1920’s, Julius Freed opened an orange juice stand in Los Angeles, but sales weren’t so great. His friend, Bill, made a less acidic, more frothy version of orange juice which Julius adopted and began serving at his OJ stand.

People loved it and began ordering Orange Julius’ left and right. In 1987 Dairy Queen bought the Orange Julius Company. (Source)

Today, that famous orange drink made up of ice, orange juice, sweetener, milk and vanilla is still found in mall food courts. It’s kind of like an orange juice smoothie, except it’s more creamy and frothy. We think it tastes like a melted orange creamsicle.

This homemade orange julius recipe is so quick and easy that even a kid can put it together. Best of all, it tastes just like the real version, which means we can make this at home whenever we want.

Orange Julius ingredients on a marble countertop.

just blend!!

The orange julius ingredients include:

  • frozen orange juice
  • milk
  • water
  • sugar
  • vanilla
  • ice cubes

Luckily, we had pretty much all of these ingredients at our house already!

BLEND. To make this yummy recipe, just throw everything in the blender and blend until nice and smooth. It’s that easy!

variations

Julius with a twist. Add other flavors to the Orange Julius. Frozen Bananas or strawberries are particularly delicious. Add in some pineapple concentrate for a bit of extra flavor. Just keep in mind that it will cause a thicker or thinner texture.

Dairy-free. Make this dairy-free by using coconut milk or almond milk.

Orange Julius ingredients in a blender.

Orange julius FAQ

Use fresh orange juice. Using Orange Juice and adding more ice will just change the texture and flavor, which isn’t what you want!

Create your own concentrate. If you don’t have orange juice concentrate, freeze an equal amount of fresh orange juice in an ice cube tray (or a glass pan, and then break it into pieces) and put that in the blender with the other ingredients.

Texture. Adjusting the texture to your liking is quite easy. Reduce the amount of added water/milk for a thicker texture or increase it if you prefer a thinner texture

No eggs. Many traditional orange Julius recipes call for egg whites, or egg white powder to help get a nice foamy texture, but I think I was able to manage just the right amount of foam without using raw eggs. Another way that can help add fluffiness to the foam is to substitute powdered sugar for the granulated sugar. 

Orange Julius recipe ingredients blended in blender.

Storing info

STORE leftovers (if you have any) in the fridge for a day or so in an airtight container, but it’s much better to have it fresh!

FREEZE. My favorite thing to do with leftovers it to pour it into a popsicle mold as a refreshing treat.

Close up of Orange Julius recipe in a glass with a slice of fresh orange.

For more refreshing drinks, check out:

Orange Julius Recipe

4.88 from 83 votes
Refreshing & simple Orange Julius takes a minute to make and tastes just like the real thing. It is a favorite family treat!
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 301 kcal
Author Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate
  • 1 cup milk or almond milk*
  • 1 cup water
  • 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 cup ice cubes

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Freeze It: My favorite thing to do with leftovers is to pour them into a popsicle mold and freeze for a refreshing treat during the summer.
Julius with a Twist: Add other ingredients to the Orange Julius, like frozen bananas, strawberries or even pineapple juice, for extra flavor.

Like this recipe?

Pin it now to remember it later! Share it with your Facebook friends (you know they’ll love it). Or tweet it to the world. Maybe even email it to your favorite cousin!

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About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Comments:

  1. 5 stars
    I love this recipe! It is absolutely delicious and we make it on a regular basis. It’s one of those ones that is a hit in the summer and the winter! I finally pinned it because for some reason I keep searching for it every time haha. Thank you for sharing it :).

  2. 5 stars
    This is delicious! The first time I made it exactly as directed. Today I used hone-vanilla kefir instead of milk and added fresh grated ginger. Both are wonderful.

  3. I haven’t had an Orange Julius in *forever*! Will have to pick up the ingredients for this today. Can’t wait to try it!

  4. Just round your website, because i was looking for a recipe to make an orange julius. Been wanting one real bad. Havent had one for years, literally years. I will be 72 in 4 months. I’m going to make this tomorrow and i will send you a picture of it.

    1. 5 stars
      Ah, you too! I AM THE SAME AGE AND I WAS JUST THINKING A WHILE BACK HOW THEY USE TO BE ON ALMOST EVERY CORNER. IF I WAS GOOD AS A CHILD, OR AFTER A TRIP TO THE DOCTOR OR DENTIST, MY MOTHER WOULD REWARD ME WITH A ORANGE JULIUS. THESE DAYS I AM VEGAN AND I USED SOYMILK YOGURT IN PLACE OF THE MILK, AND YACON SYRUP INSTEAD OF SUGAR…..BUT ITS CLOSE ENOUGH TO BRING BACK THOSE MEMORIES. HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING YOURS ALSO!

  5. 5 stars
    I have been looking for an orange Julius recipe to try & I found yours. I am so glad I tried it! It was the best! It’s super easy to make & I love that it doesn’t require a lot of ingredients. Thank you!

  6. 5 stars
    I love this recipe. My kids and I made some popsicles out of it as well. It really was a delicious treat on a hot summer day!

  7. 4 stars
    HI just found your site, I was ACTUALLY considering IF THIS RECIPE CAN BE SIMPLIFIED WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM INSTEAD OF MILK, SUGAR, vanilla and ice. its makes more sense to do this way. Just suggesting. thanks for all the recipes!

    1. I made the orange Julius with just vanilla bean ice cream and orange juice and it was good very good the me.. I got Blue Bell’s Vanilla bean..They make the best Vanilla bean ice cream and Tang makes the best orange juice to me but it was yummy ?…

  8. We will be making this again, a little sweet, so next time we’ll add sugar to taste.. Thanks for your Lil recipe!!

    1. Actually, the original Orange Julius had a whole egg in it, they changed it with egg white powder which can be substituted with meringue powder (2 tsp) and added to this recipe.

  9. 4 stars
    The last time I had an Orange Julius, i watched them make it. I asked the girl what the powdered substance was that she used. she said it was an egg white substitute. i am convinced that(if that’s what it in fact was) is

    1. 4 stars
      *I am convinced that is the secret ingredient, that I would have never figured out, and is key.

    2. That’s what a couple of people have said now..it must be. I will have to try 🙂 Thank you for sharing!

      1. It’s powdered milk. I got the recipe from one of the employees back in the 80’s. Fresh Orange juice was used, not concentrate, a whole egg, powdered milk, sugar and ice. I don’t remember adding vanilla, but if you do (from experience) use imitation. Pure vanilla extract is made with alcohol and imitation isn’t.

  10. is tHere anyway this could be made wIthout regular milk? Would coconut milk or almond milk work? Thanks!

    1. You sure could use either of those. I personally haven’t tried, but I bet they’d taste great!

    2. 5 stars
      of couRSE! AND SORRY FOR THE CAPS. FOR SOME REASON AT THIS WEBSITE, I CAN ONLY USE THEM. I USED SOY YOGURT AND YACON SYRUP, ITS STILL VERY GOOD. THINKING OF IT, I THINK COCONUT MILK WOULD MAKE IT TASTE WONDERFUL.

  11. 5 stars
    Great recipe. I make this with fresh fruit as well. I like strawberry and blueberry I just add a little more sugar and use lactose free whole milk.

  12. 5 stars
    It was really good. I used to work in one of those little cafe’s in a mall, 1957 I was 15 lol and we made them different, we used fresh orange juice, ice, orange sherbet, vanilla and no sugar. I’d make your recipe again for sure, we enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing it is definitely a 5 star (should be a 10)

  13. 5 stars
    I used a couple extra ice cubes, unsweetened vanilla almond milk instead of the milk, and 1 Tbs. truVIa in place of the sugar and thought it was pErfect!

  14. 5 stars
    sixty years ago i remember the original Orange julius stands offered to add a banana for an extra 10 cents. it’s the real deal!

  15. 5 stars
    I used fresh Orange juice thst i froze ahead of time. After mixing tge ingredients i felt it Needed twice as much frozen juice, sugar and vAnilLa, but tasted great!

  16. 3 stars
    It taste different than the orange Julius I grew up on. Just not as orangey. Next time I will use orange juice instead of water maybe that will work

    Try my orange smoothie

    Six ounces orange juice
    Two tablespoons plain yogurt
    Quarter cup of sugar
    One cup of ice
    Blend well
    Enjoy

    Try my creamsicle shake

    Six ounces orange juice
    One half cup ice
    Blend
    Add four scoops vanilla ice cream
    Blend
    Pour in a tall glass
    Add one scoop vanilla ice cream
    Enjoy with a spoon and a straw

  17. 5 stars
    Made this for a very special Christmas Eve breakfast 2020. Even the leftovers the next morning were good! Will definitely make again 🙂

  18. 5 stars
    I just made this not even 5 minutes ago and it is delicious, my grandmother who doesn’t even like it, likes this recipe. It was insanely good will keep this recipe for the future!!

  19. 4 stars
    I just made this recipe and oh my goodness…yum!!

    I used OJ, rather than water, but followed the recipe to the letter otherwise.

    I personally think the vanilla is a little strong, so I will half it next time and I know it will be perfect!

    Thank you for the recipe, this is one of my favorite frozen drinks and it’s getting more & more difficult to find.

  20. 5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

  21. 5 stars
    I absolutely love this drink. It reminds me of my highschool years going to the mall and getting an orange julius.

  22. I, too, love Orange Julius. Years ago, I found a different recipe which is delicious!
    In blender:
    Orange juice
    Ice cubes
    Vanilla pudding mix
    I don’t have set quantities but you will figure it out. Yum!!

  23. 5 stars
    My favorite guilty pleasure!! I have loved orange julius since I was a kid and this recipe taste just like it!

    1. Ugh I know. And some worse than others. I move on If it becomes too much. It’s just not worth it, plus you’re bound to find it another place anyway:))

  24. Why do so many websites like this one show tiny videos (in this case recipe videos) while you’re scrolling the website. They’re totally worthless because they move at lightening speed plus they stop and start another recipe before the other one is finished so it makes no sense. Anyway thanks for the Orange Julius recipe, it brings back memories of the 80s:))