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Refreshing & simple copycat Orange Julius recipe 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.
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 recipe tastes just like the real version, which means we can make this at home whenever we want.
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)
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!
Orange Julius Tips
- Use fresh orange juice. Using Orange Juice and adding more ice will just change the texture and flavor, which isn’t what you want!
- 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.
- 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.
Storing
- 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.
For more Drink Recipes:
Orange Julius Recipe
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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 ?…