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This classic Orange Julius recipe is an easy and delicious smoothie made with frozen orange juice concentrate, milk, water, sugar, vanilla, and ice. It’s frothy, creamy, cool, and sweet. If you love an orange creamsicle, you’ll love this drink!
Orange juice for breakfast just got a million times tastier with this frothy orange drink. And if you love oranges as much as I do, you could combine this drink with my Orange Rolls for a complete citrus feast.
This is actually one of those recipes I got in my home economics class. If it’s easy enough for teenager to make, then anyone can make it!
Growing up we only ever had homemade Orange Julius on a rare occasion. It was saved for when we had a really nice breakfast, but I love this drink! It’s simple, creamy, frothy, and sweet.
What is an Orange Julius?
Orange Julius is an American beverage chain that is famous for their creamy orange drink, named after the owner, Julius Freed.
You might remember the drink stands at the mall. Nowadays they are combined with a Dairy Queen.
Fun fact, my mother-in-law used to work at an Orange Julius stand, and the original recipe uses egg whites. Yes, egg whites.
This “copycat recipe” might be different because there are no egg whites, but it’s still creamy, sweet, and full of orange citrus flavor.
Simply add orange juice concentrate, milk, water, sugar, vanilla and ice to a blender, and mix until smooth.
Want to make it without orange juice concentrate and use fresh juice instead? Or make it dairy-free? Try this recipe.
More Orange Julius Flavors
This smoothie can be made into a variety of flavors by simply adding other fruits. Here are some ideas:
Orange Banana – throw in half of a fresh banana. Add the whole banana for extra banana flavor.
Strawberry Orange – add 1-2 cups of fresh strawberries.
Strawberry Orange Banana – add 1 banana, and 1 cup of strawberries.
Pineapple Orange – add 1 cup of fresh pineapple.
NOTE: You can substitute frozen fruit for fresh, but decrease the amount of ice so it will still blend easily.
8 Comments on “Classic Orange Julius (Copycat Recipe) + Video”
Terry — Reply
Recipe
Amber Brady — Reply
There is a “jump to recipe” button at the top of the page that will take you straight to the recipe card to view or print the recipe. Unfortunately you scrolled past the recipe card to get to the comment form.
Susan — Reply
Can you use coconut water or coconut milk instead of the water and milk what would the calories be
Hey, I can’t believe I just doing this now, but I am now following you. Although I have seen your recipes on Pinterest. Looks like you are doing great. I really want some Orange Julius.
Karen, did you not know that I started this blog? It is going really well. Getting close to 100 posts. I sure love how I get to try new things all the time! I am pretty good at finding & trying only the good recipes now. Glad you are finally following 🙂 You can go ahead & like me on facebook too 🙂 Link at the top right of the page! haha.
And my blender just stripped a gear yesterday. This recipe looks wonderful. Wish I could make it for supper. (I know, its a breakfast drink but we don’t do breakfasts around here.) I love your blog.
But it was Freed/Fried's real estate agent, Willard “Bill” Hamlin, who made the first real Orange Julius. Hamlin convinced Freed/Fried to carry his secret powdered vanilla-ey formula that turns blended orange juice, sugar syrup, and crushed ice into that icy cold, fluffy, Creamsicle-y drink.
But it was Freed/Fried's real estate agent, Willard “Bill” Hamlin, who made the first real Orange Julius. Hamlin convinced Freed/Fried to carry his secret powdered vanilla-ey formula that turns blended orange juice, sugar syrup, and crushed ice into that icy cold, fluffy, Creamsicle-y drink.
But years later, and after lots of research, I've discovered that it was egg white powder mixed with dry milk and vanilla flavoring. That's it! That's the "secret ingredient"! But it's not just the secret powder that makes it an Orange Julius - it's also the directions on how to make it.
Orange Julius was eventually sold to International Industries in 1967 and then to Dairy Queen in 1987, which began the decline of the brand and a major change to the way the product was made with a move towards more artificial ingredients.
A bit of history of success, Orange Julius was the official drink of the 1964 World's Fair. In 1987 DQ Dairy Queen bought the rights to the Orange Julius Chains and marketed the drink at their DQ Treat Stores. Now in 2023 Dairy Queen seem to be phasing the drink away from some of its stores.
The mall drink is packed with more sugar than a can of soda, and besides having vitamin C from the orange juice it contains, it's devoid of nutrients. It's a sugar bomb with no protein and no fiber.
What Exactly Is an Orange Julius? If you've never tried this frothy drink, you're in for a sweet treat! An Orange Julius is a blend of frozen orange juice concentrate, milk, vanilla, sugar, and ice.
In 1987, Orange Julius became "a fully owned subsidiary of International Dairy Queen." That's lawyer speak for "now you can get your Dilly® Bar where you get your Julius® Original!”
Orange juice typically stays fresh for about 7-10 days after opening when stored in the refrigerator. However, once opened and refrigerated, it's important to keep the orange juice properly sealed and to consume it within that 7-10 day time frame to ensure it stays fresh and safe to drink.
So, while the Orange Julius Original contains more sugar and no fresh fruit when compared to a regular fruit smoothie, Orange Julius also sells premium fruit smoothies with a customization option that can be compared to what you'll find at places like Smoothie King or Jamba.
Based on old Dairy Queen advertisem*nts for the Dixie Belle Sundae, we've got the scoop on how to order. To start, ask for a regular hot fudge sundae.Then add butterscotch and finish with pecans. The recipe is simple, tasty and straight out of the 1950s!
The Fruity Blast Dipped Cone is a cold, creamy DQ®vanilla soft-serve cone covered in a light purple, fruity cereal-flavoured cone dip. Available at participating DQ® restaurants.
In 1987, Orange Julius became "a fully owned subsidiary of International Dairy Queen." That's lawyer speak for "now you can get your Dilly® Bar where you get your Julius® Original!”
Julius Freed opened an orange juice stand in 1926 on South Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles. In 1929, the orange juice was developed into a specialty drink by Freed's real estate broker Willard Hamlin.
Because, well, they are smoothies. Orange Julius' premium fruit smoothies are made with real fruit, low-fat yogurt, and ice. Some also contain a "nutrition boost" in the form of protein, antioxidants, energy, vitamin C, or fresh banana.
Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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