Do you remember the Orange Julius stores that had THE BEST drinks and smoothies? They actually come from my native Los Angeles and were started as a fruit stand way back in 1926! We used to go to the Santa Anita mall when I was a kid, and I would beg my mom to stop in at the popular beverage joint. It always had a long line of people.
But it's no wonder! They made the best Orange Creamsicle drink ever!
If you have never had one, I'm sorry. Your life is incomplete. Such deprivation is nearly criminal. But you're in luck! This Copycat Orange Julius tastes just like the real thing and you can make it in 5 minutes!
It is the perfect blend of orange and vanilla...kind of like a liquid version of a 50/50 bar or an orange and vanilla smoothie.
I have made this orange julius recipe a lot this summer because it is so refreshing, but also because my kids LOVE it!
This is my daughter Nevaeh and she just started at a new school. It has been a very overwhelming and challenging start to the school year, so I have made this drink for her many times when she gets home from school. It gives her something to look forward to and to sip on while she decompresses and tells me all about her day.
How to Make an Orange Julius
Making an orange julius is "easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy", as my 4 year old says. You need nothing more than a good blender.
This recipe is great to double, just don't do it all at once in the same blender. Been there, done that...spent 15 minutes cleaning orange juice off the ceiling and walls!
Orange Julius is also wonderful to freeze or make popsicles with!
Ingredients for an Orange Julius
Super simple stuff here. You probably already have all the ingredients:
6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup 2 % milk
1 cup water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-2 cups of ice
Put everything in the blender, put the lid on (essential step here! Please learn from my mistakes! LOL), and blend until smooth. You might want to start out with a cup of ice and then add more to reach the consistency you like.
This recipe is an absolute MUST TRY! You will be so glad you did! I have some other popular copycat drinks you may be interested in:
Drop me a line in the comment section below and tell me what you think of this recipe. I would love to hear about the other drink recipes you love for summer time too! Happy cooking y'all!
Orange Julius Recipe
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
- 6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate I often use a 12 oz can from the freezer section and double this recipe.
- 1 cup 2 % milk
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 cups ice start with one cup and add as needed to reach the desired consistency
Instructions
- Pour all of the ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth.
- Add more ice to reach desired consistency.
There seems to be 2 recipes here, one without sugar, the first, and one with, the second. Is the first a mistake?
Would you believe frozen orange juice concentrate is not available here in the UK? How would you modify the recipe using orange juice instead of concentrate?
You know what I really love about Heidi’s food blog?! You go looking for a dinner recipe and find a delicious drink recipe too. She’s got a recipe for everything you are looking for and may not be looking for. 😀 We tried out the Orange Julius recipe tonight and the WHOLE family drank every drop. It was a sweet treat!
I love this drink too! It’s so refreshing on a hot summer day.
Wow that looks great!!!
Thank you! Let me know what you think when you try it!
These are really good made with strawberries too!
That is a great idea!