A copycat Orange Julius made in the blender using orange concentrate, milk, vanilla extract, and a little bit of sugar!
The Best Orange Julius
Nothing takes me back to my childhood faster than an Orange Julius. My siblings learned how to make it in their foods class, and it became a tradition for my mom to whip one up every Christmas morning. So it was frequently made in my home!
It’s one of those drinks that’s impossible to mess up—so simple, so refreshing, and completely delicious.
Naturally, I had to share my Orange Julius recipe here! With just a few ingredients and a couple of minutes, you’ll have a drink that’s as nostalgic as it is irresistible. You’re going to love it!
Ingredients In Orange Julius
- Orange juice concentrate: Use straight from the freezer—no need to thaw.
- Whole milk: Swap whole milk for almond or oat milk for a dairy-free option.
- Powdered sugar: Adjust the amount to suit your sweetness preference.
- Vanilla extract: Taste and adjust the amount for a stronger or subtler flavor.
- Ice cubes: Blend until completely smooth for the best texture.
How To Make An Orange Julius
- Combine ingredients. Add all the ingredients to a blender.
- Blend. Blend everything until the ice is all combined and it’s frothy.
- Serve. Immediately after blending, pour into glasses and enjoy! It’s sure to be a hit!
Variations
Try Something New!
- Top your drink with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm flavor.
- Add some frozen berries, like strawberries or raspberries, for extra fruitiness.
- Use coconut milk instead of regular milk for a tropical flavor like a Pina Colada.
Tips For Success
- Pick Good Ingredients: Use the best orange juice concentrate and real vanilla for great flavor.
- Sweeten to Taste: Add powdered sugar until it’s as sweet as you like.
- Blend Until Smooth: Make sure there are no ice bits for a creamy texture.
- Enjoy Right Away: Drink your Orange Julius fresh because it doesn’t store well.
- Use Cold Ingredients: Chill the milk and water for an extra refreshing drink.
More Citrus Treats
- Lemon Poppyseed Cookies with a delicious glaze
- Lemon Pie from a famous bakery
- Key Lime Pie with a graham cracker crust
- Lemon Berry Slush refreshing and delicious
- Lemon Blueberry Bread quick and easy to make
Orange Julius
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1/2 of a (12-ounce) container orange juice from concentrate, not thawed
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar see note 1
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract increase/reduce to personal preference
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine everything in a blender and process until completely smooth and no ice chunks remain.
- Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
SUCH a genius recipe-yum!
What a groovy smoothie, Chelsea! I know I did a creamsicle-esque smoothie in the winter when I needed a high dose of vitamin c (colds, man, they are the worst) but I love how you “skinny-ified yours and how creamy it looks! 😀 YUM!
Ohhhhh heck yes. Smoothies just got a little facelift, didn’t they?! Love these Chelsea!
That smoothie looks amazing!
This smoothie looks so creamy and refreshing! I love that it is light too – such a perfect way to indulge without over-indulging!
I LOVEEE skinny smoothies! I’ve lost a few pounds this month by drinking smoothies. This smoothie looks super creamy and delicious!
So awesome that it’s so simple to make. 🙂
I loovveee orange creamsicle and I bet this smoothie tastes just as good! Another great recipe 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
What a perfect smoothie for the summer, Chelsea!
Looks so refreshing! Love the flavors!