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.
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.
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 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.
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.
For more refreshing drinks, check out:
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.
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 :).
You are so welcome!! And, I completely agree..love this drink!! Thanks so much!
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.
Perfect!! I’m glad you liked it!! Thank you so much!
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!
They are so good!! I hope you like it! Enjoy!
I have always wanted to know how to make an Orange Julius! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Glad you found the recipe!! We love them! Enjoy!
This recipe makes my inner child happy! Thank you for sharing it!
Haha!! I’m glad it does & I’m glad to share! Thanks for stopping by!
Amazing recipe will use again thankyou
Yay! I am glad you liked it 🙂 Thank you!
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.
I am so glad you found it 🙂 I sure hope you like it!!
Patrice did you ever make It?
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!
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!
I am so glad you found it, too! Thank you for letting me know!
Love this! My kids always ask for it and say it’s better than Dairy Queen!
That’s what I love to hear!! Tell them thank you 🙂
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!
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 ?…
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!
I love Orange Julius! Great recipe!
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.
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
*I am convinced that is the secret ingredient, that I would have never figured out, and is key.
That’s what a couple of people have said now..it must be. I will have to try 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
The powder is actually non dairy creamer.
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.
Add an egg to it tastes great
I will have to try 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!
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.
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!
Just made this for my daughter & it was excellent!
Happy you liked it!! My family loves it, too! Thank you for trying!
Thanks for bringing back some mall hanging memories. Delicious!
You are so welcome! Thank you for sharing that!
Looks Nice definitely should try thanks 🙂
I think you should too! It is delicious!
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)
Awe, thank you for saying that! That sounds delicious, the way you used to make it!
Definitely needed sLightly more vanilla and a touch more milk but pretty good overall.
Thank you for trying this recipe!
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!
That does sound perfect!! Thanks for sharing!
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!
also fantastic with vanilla ice cream / milk combo for a real milkshake taste
Great idea!! Thanks!!
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!
Thank you for giving it a try 🙂 We love this all summer long!
i’M GLAD IT’S SHORT TO MAKE, YOU CAN’T FING AN ORANGE JULIUS STORE THAT OFTEN ANYMORE!
Amazin’. We make ’em every night.
So happy to hear that! Thank you!!
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
Made this for a very special Christmas Eve breakfast 2020. Even the leftovers the next morning were good! Will definitely make again 🙂
Happy to hear that! We love this drink! Thank you!
“NIRVANA IN A NUTSHELL”…..so good !
Deb
Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
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!!
Tell your grandma, I am happy she tried it & liked it! Thank you!
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.
You are welcome! I appreciate you trying it. Thank you for letting me know!
Wow, no words, it’s so good! Thanks!!!
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!
I absolutely love this drink. It reminds me of my highschool years going to the mall and getting an orange julius.
I was so sad when I could no longer get these near me, so I made your recipe! just like I remembered.
Yay!! So glad you found the recipe!
What a yummy refreshing drink. So easy my kids were able to make it with minimal direction from me!
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!!
Thanks for sharing! That sounds tasty too!
Amazing! It’s just like it! Now I can make Orange Julius at home, thank you.
You’re welcome! So glad you enjoyed it!
I am so glad to have a good cold drink and thank you 😊
You’re welcome!
Can you add rum?
I don’t drink, so I have never tried it, but I’m sure you could!!
I’m so happy I found this recipe, it’s AMMAZING!!! Thank you!
You’re welcome! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
My favorite guilty pleasure!! I have loved orange julius since I was a kid and this recipe taste just like it!
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:))
Tastes just like the poplar drink I was obsessed with in high school. Yum!!
Can’t even see the recipe because there’s so many ads blocking my view
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:))