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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 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.
The chain has been in business since the late 1920s. The signature beverage is a mixture of ice, orange juice, sweetener, milk, powdered egg whites and vanilla flavoring.
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 Julius Originals preparation method for DQ locations uses the Misty® slush, and the Julius Originals preparation method for Orange Julius locations (Orange Julius without a DQ component) uses simple syrup. Nutritional information between the two preparation methods may vary significantly.
Orange juice and vinegar both contain acids which react with the calcium carbonate in the eggs to produce carbon dioxide gas. This is why the eggs fizz in those liquids. Over time, this reaction has the effect of destroying the egg shells and leaving behind the inside of the egg.
They loved it so much they bought the company. 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!”
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.
Well, not entirely, at least. Dairy Queen did, unfortunately, discontinue the Orange Julius menu at its Grill & Chill restaurants in 2019. However, its treat-only locations still offer a selection of Orange Julius products, including the original Orange Julius drink we all know and love.
Choline is an essential nutrient for healthy brain and heart health. So when using eggs in the daily menu can help promote brain health and cardiovascular system. Besides, raw eggs are also rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect our eyes.
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.
Floating orange pulp (or cells) is derived from the endocarp of the fruits of Citrus sinensis species and is primarily made up of cell sacs and membrane fragments. It is obtained during the fruit squeezing process and is separated from the juice by sieving.
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.
The earliest record of sweet Oranges appears in ancient Chinese texts, dating back to 314 BC. However, the Blood Orange doesn't make an appearance until the 18th century when they were first grown along the southern Mediterranean coast of Italy.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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