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Who here has had an Orange Julius before? We’ve been long-time fans and LOVE to make this copycat Orange Julius recipe!

You really only need 5 ingredients (plus ice), the most important being the orange juice concentrate. This isn’t something we always have on hand, so there may be some planning involved. Everything else is always available at our house.

Then, you simply blend – it’s literally ready in minutes! This is one the girls love to whip up because it really is crazy easy. Best of all, this drink tastes just like the REAL version, which means we can make this at home whenever we want (and it’s WAY cheaper)!!

Why we think you’ll love it:

  • Few ingredients. It’s made up of ice, orange juice, sweetener, milk, and vanilla – so simple to make at home!
  • Quick + easy. Our kids love to make this orange julius recipe – simply blend! It’s literally ready in minutes!
  • Just like the original. 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.
Orange Julius ingredients on a marble countertop.
  • 6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate If you do not have frozen orange concentrate, 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 – We prefer whole milk for a creamier drink. You can make it dairy-free and use coconut 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 
  • optional ingredients – add frozen bananas, strawberries, or pineapple concentrate for a flavor twist
  1. BLEND. Combine frozen orange juice concentrate, milk, water, vanilla, sugar, and ice cubes in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
  • For the best flavor, use orange juice concentrate because it is 6x more potent than orange juice.
  • We prefer to use whole milk for the creamiest drink!
  • For extra frothiness, blend in ¼-½ teaspoon of egg white powder.
  • Add the 1 cup of ice gradually to reach your desired thickness.
Homemade Orange Julius recipe poured into glass cup with orange slices and straw.
4.98 from 192 votes

Orange Julius Recipe

This refreshing, nostalgic Orange Julius recipe tastes just like the original and whips up in only 5 minutes with a few simple ingredients!
Servings: 2
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes

Video

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 orange juice concentrate, milk, water, vanilla, sugar, and ice in a blender and blend until smooth and frothy. Serve immediately.
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Notes

Recipe Tips:
  • For the best flavor use orange juice concentrate because it is 6x more potent than orange juice.
  • To use 1 cup of orange juice, omit the orange concentrate and water, and add in 2 tablespoons of orange zest.
  • Whole milk helps produce a creamier drink.
  • For extra frothiness, blend in ¼-½ teaspoon of egg white powder.
  • Add the 1 cup of ice gradually to reach your desired thickness
Store. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 24 hours in an airtight container. Our favorite thing to do with leftovers is to pour them into a popsicle mold as a refreshing treat.
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.

How to store?

Store leftover Orange Julius in the fridge for up to 24 hours in an airtight container. Our favorite thing to do with leftovers is to pour them into a popsicle mold as a refreshing treat.

This recipe was originally published August 2015.

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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4.98 from 192 votes (110 ratings without comment)

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145 Comments

  1. Alexis says:

    5 stars
    Looks Nice definitely should try thanks 🙂

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I think you should too! It is delicious!

  2. Doc.C. says:

    5 stars
    Thanks for bringing back some mall hanging memories. Delicious!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You are so welcome! Thank you for sharing that!

  3. Koni Clark-Clifton says:

    5 stars
    Just made this for my daughter & it was excellent!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Happy you liked it!! My family loves it, too! Thank you for trying!

  4. Rebecca Marley says:

    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.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Those would be great additions! Glad you liked it! Thank you!

  5. kerri Adams says:

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

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

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

    2. Davilyn eversz says:

      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.

  6. Bret dujeman says:

    5 stars
    Add an egg to it tastes great

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I will have to try 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!

  7. Kate Moss says:

    4 stars
    It’s ok. A real Orange Julius has egg whites in it though.

    1. courtney hartsfield says:

      Yep

    2. Donna Sharp says:

      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.

  8. Amy Huntley says:

    5 stars
    I love Orange Julius! Great recipe!

  9. Dirk says:

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

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You are so welcome. Thank you for giving it a try!

  10. jessica says:

    5 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. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I have not tired, but I’ll have to try 🙂 Glad to share! Thank you!

    2. Pam Ellis says:

      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 ?…