Orange Julius Recipe
This Orange Julius copycat recipe can be made in 5 minutes or less. There is even an adults-only version with an added splash of vodka or champagne. It is 5′ o’clock somewhere!
This copycat shows you how to make Orange Julius in 5 minutes! This Orange Julius Recipe is the REAL recipe they use at the store! A frothy, frozen orange drink that is perfect for sipping on a hot day!
Yes, as in that delicious overpriced drink, Orange Julius at the mall. I remember begging for these when we visited the mall as a child.
I’m not joking when I tell you I never wanted anything more than one of these! Unfortunately, my mother never let me have one. But she did make this exact recipe for me at home.
On those outings we usually were visiting the leotard store. Remember those? Jazzercise and Jane Fonda? Oh, how I loved those trips! Picking out matching tights, a leotard and headband was great fun. FEEL THE BURN!
We used to do a Mommy and Me Jazzercise class too. Now I just hit the gym in an oversized t-shirt and thinning, anti-fat shake yoga pants. When I actually make it there…
Still, an Orange Julius holds a sentimental place in my heart. My mother was the one who shared this secret recipe with me. I found it written on a notecard in her wooden recipe box on the kitchen counter labeled The REAL Orange Julius recipe. Because obviously there are the UNREAL ORange Julius recipes out there too.
Who knows if it is actually the real deal, but I put them in a side-by-side taste test and I couldn’t tell the difference. If you’ve never had one, they are similar to a Disney Dole Whip and trust me they’ll be the best thing you’ve ever tasted.
Being a health woman, she very rarely allowed us to enjoy an Orange Julius at the mall or at home, so I also see them as quite a treat. Now as an adult, I can attest to them being even more delicious when I add a splash of vodka or even champagne!
Orange Julius ingredients are simple and consist of orange juice concentrate, milk, sugar and vanilla all blended together. Not the healthiest, but also not the worst. Think of all the vitamin C you are getting!
If you liked this frozen drink recipe, you’ll also enjoy these:
- BBC- Banana, Baileys and Coconut (only mine also has strawberries!)
- Mango Peach Smoothie
- Banana Smoothie
Tools for making Orange Julius:
Blender– don’t skimp on a blender, especially if you plan to make frozen drinks. You need something high powered to get ice into slush. You can use it for other things as well like making sauces and salad dressings, smoothie bowls, mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce and much more!
Jigger
– if you plan to add alcohol to your orange julius, be safe and measure it out.
Here are some questions you might have this Orange Julius recipe:
Are Orange Julius healthy? That really depends on your version of healthy. They do contain a lot of sugar. Are there healthier drink options out there? Yes. I use skim milk, so that does slash a few calories.
Can you use a sugar substitute in an Orange Julius? In theory, of course you can, but I’ve never tried it personally. If you have, make sure to come back and let others know how it was! Just use whatever the substitution amount is for 1/2 cup sugar.
Are Orange Julius smoothies gluten free? Technically, yes.
Are Orange Julius smoothies vegan? If you use milk, then no. You can try using almond milk and seeing if they are still good. I would go with a vanilla almond milk, personally. If you try it, make sure to come back and let others know how it was!
Is an Orange Julius safe during pregnancy? I am not a doctor and in no way is this medical advice, but there is nothing in an orange julius smoothie that is known to be bad during pregnancy, except perhaps a good amount of sugar.
How is an Orange Julius made? In a really good blender
! Don’t skimp on your blender, foodie friends. If you want your smoothie drinks to be, well, smooth, then you need a good blender. Otherwise you just end up chewing on flavored ice chunks.
How do you make an Orange Julius Strawberry Banana Smoothie or the Triple Berry Smoothie? I have no clue and I’ve never tried them! If I see an Orange Julius, I’ll stop and check it out.
Can you make an Orange Julius without a blender? I suppose you could, but it would be very, very hard.
Can you add ice cream to a homemade Orange Julius? Um, of course you can! Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or orange sherbet and enjoy! You can even make them float style by pouring the orange julius drink over the scoops of ice cream instead of blending them in.
Where did Orange Julius start? I got this answer from Google, so hopefully it is correct. Orange Julius started in 1926 in Los Angeles, California by a man named Julius Freed.
How did Orange Julius get its name? The name who created the drink was Julius Freed, hence Orange Julius. This also makes me think of the movie Twins, but that is a discussion for another time…
Can I add an egg to my Orange Julius? The oddest question I have ever gotten, but I guess you can. And make sure you play they Rocky theme song while you chug it.
Can I use different juice concentrates? Use whichever flavor of juice you want to make your own unique Julius concoction. Only then, you get to name it after yourself!
- 6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1 cup skim milk
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Ice Cubes
- 4 oz Vodka or Champagne optional
- Orange Slices for garnish
- Combine orange juice concentrate through vanilla into blender. Fill blender to ¾ full with ice. Blend until smooth. Consistency of orange juice concentrate can vary, so you can add more water if the beverage is too thick.
- If you are adding vodka to the whole batch, add 4 ounces (1 regular sized shot glass = 1 ounce, so 4 shot glasses) with the rest of ingredients when blending. If adding to individual drinks, add the shot straight to serving glass and stir before serving. If you choose to use champagne do NOT add during the blending process, it will decrease the carbonation. Add it to each glass individually and stir gently or just use it as a floater.
Recipe Video
Orange Julius was a favorite growing up – this recipe reminds me to make it a tradition for my kids as well! SO yummy!
It was one of my mine too!
OH YES!!!!
My boys are totally in love with these!!!
I am in love with the fact I can make them at home and don’t have to drag two kids to the mall.
It saves lots of cash, that is for sure!
I remember where the recipe came from . . . but I’m not saying. Continue to enjoy it!
I’m guessing this is my mother and that is fine, you can keep it a secret. 🙂
I like to think any drink with fruit is also “healthy”….
I’m going to go with your logic. Bahahaha!