This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This refreshing nostalgic drink tastes just like the original and whips up in 5 minutes!
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 version at home.
- Few Ingredients. It’s made up of ice, orange juice, sweetener, milk and vanilla is still found in mall food courts.
- Quick + Easy. Even a kid can make it, plus it’s made in minutes!
- Delicious. 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.
Best of all, this orange julius recipe tastes just like the real version, which means we can make this at home whenever we want.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
- 6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate – If you do not have the frozen orange concentrate you can omit the added water and use 1 cup of fresh orange juice along with orange zest (start with 2 tablespoons of zest and add more to taste).
- 1 cup milk – use whole milk for a creamier drink. Make it dairy-free and use coconut milk or almond milk.
- 1 cup water – added to get the right texture
- 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract – balances out the flavor of the drink
- ¼ cup granulated sugar – use more or less depending on the desired level of sweetness
- 1 cup ice cubes – keeps the drink cool, thick, and frothy
How to Make Orange Julius
- BLEND. Combine 6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate, 1 cup milk, 1 cup water, 1-2 teaspoons vanilla, ¼ cup sugar, and 1 cup ice cubes in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
FLAVOR VARIATIONS
Frozen bananas or strawberries are particularly delicious. Add in some pineapple concentrate for a bit of extra flavor. Keep in mind that additions can cause a thicker or thinner texture.
Complete the Meal
- MAIN DISHES: Easy Pancakes, French Toast Sticks, Breakfast Casserole
- SIDE DISHES: Bacon in the Oven, Scrambled Eggs, How to Make Hashbrowns
- More DRINK RECIPES: Orange Juice Smoothie, Aloha Tropical Smoothie,
MORE COLLECTIONS: Summer Drinks, Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes, Frozen Drink Recipes
Orange Julius Recipe
Refreshing & simple Orange Julius takes a minute to make and tastes just like the real thing. It is a favorite family treat!
Ingredients
- 6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1 cup milk, (or almond milk for a dairy-free option)
- 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: Our 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.
Nutrition
Serving: 1glass, Calories: 301kcal, Carbohydrates: 61g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 65mg, Potassium: 721mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 56g, Vitamin A: 520IU, Vitamin C: 123mg, Calcium: 190mg, Iron: 0.3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
What is 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)
No Eggs?
- Many traditional orange Julius recipes call for egg whites, or egg white powder to help get a nice foamy texture, but I managed to get just the right amount of foam without using raw eggs.
How to Store Orange Julius?
- Store leftovers in the fridge for a day or so in an airtight container
How to Freeze?
- My favorite thing to do with leftovers is to pour them into a popsicle mold as a refreshing treat.
Looks Nice definitely should try thanks 🙂
I think you should too! It is delicious!
Thanks for bringing back some mall hanging memories. Delicious!
You are so welcome! Thank you for sharing that!
Just made this for my daughter & it was excellent!
Happy you liked it!! My family loves it, too! Thank you for trying!
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.
Those would be great additions! Glad you liked it! Thank you!
is tHere anyway this could be made wIthout regular milk? Would coconut milk or almond milk work? Thanks!
You sure could use either of those. I personally haven’t tried, but I bet they’d taste great!
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.
Add an egg to it tastes great
I will have to try 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!
It’s ok. A real Orange Julius has egg whites in it though.
Yep
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.
I love Orange Julius! Great recipe!
We will be making this again, a little sweet, so next time we’ll add sugar to taste.. Thanks for your Lil recipe!!
You are so welcome. Thank you for giving it a try!
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!
I have not tired, but I’ll have to try 🙂 Glad to share! Thank you!
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 ?…