This Copycat Orange Julius recipe is just like the frothy orange drink you remember from the 80's in the mall food court. So good and easy!
COPYCAT HOMEMADE ORANGE JULIUS
Do you remember Orange Julius? It brings back a lot of memories of the 80's for me. Oh the hair! Anyway, I suppose some malls still have an Orange Julius stand. All the ones by me closed years ago. But they were famous for their most popular drink, the Orange Julius. It's a cool, frothy, orange-tastic drink, with a touch of vanilla.
CAN I USE OTHER FLAVORS?
Absolutely! This works with concentrated lemonade as well! A great way to switch up the flavors. Plus, it whips up in a snap so it is perfect for a quick summer sweet treat. If you love that creamsicle flavor, then you are sure to love this! No trip to the mall required! I hope it brings back some memories for you as it did for me!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- frozen orange juice concentrate
- milk
- water
- sugar
- vanilla extract
- ice cubes
HOW TO MAKE AN ORANGE JULIUS:
Put all your ingredients into the blender. I like to put the liquids in first, then the ice, because my blender seems to mix it up best that way.
Don't forget to put the lid on! Then process all ingredients together until frothy.
Pour into glasses. Makes 4 servings. Look at that frosty goodness. Yum!
CRAVING MORE? YOU GOTTA TRY THESE RECIPES!
COPYCAT ORANGE JULIUS
Ingredients
- 1 (12 oz) can frozen orange juice concentrate partially thawed
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 ice cubes
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients into the blender. Liquids first, then ice.
- Place the lid on.
- Then process all ingredients together until frothy.
- Pour into glasses. Serve with an orange slice.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: July 2012
Updated & republished July 2019
The original post ran a giveaway. That giveaway is now closed
Matt
I think this is a pretty good copycat, however, my tolerance levels for sugar must have changed. I used to get these every trip to the mall. My parents were nuts.
Adam
Thank you for sharing. Many memories at the Grand Island Mall in Nebraska. These were a staple of that mall.
Tiffany
I remember getting this in Grenache Village in NYC. But I also remember them putting frothee in it.
toni Peterson
I use to love Orange Julius, but not available where I Iive now. If I make the full recipe, will it keep in the refrigerator?
Michael Burkhart
Response to Toni Peterson about keeping it in the fridge:
Not really. The chopped/blended ice will melt, and the frothy texture disappears. What you'll end up with is a creamy orange drink. It will still be yummy, and it won't spoil (for about a week), but the smoothie-like feel will be gone.
Gaverson
This recipe is great, but i like to add a little vanilla ice cream to it to make it extra creamy and super yummy!
Dolores
I love Orange Julius! I remember my Dad would buy me one when we would go shopping.This was before malls even. The vanilla ice cream sounds delish. Thanks.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Love reading everyone's memories!
Stephanie Jones
Pretty good but the sugar could have been measured to 1/4 as its just a little too sweet
Donna
Yummy...I tried this recipe, and turned exactly like the original one.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Yay!! Thank you so much Donna!!
Barington Tate
Very good, enjoying one now!
Debbie Richison
I really liked it! It takes just like the original. It was also very filling.
Laura
Tastes the same as original
Shaey
it was amazing
Dolly R.
Years and years ago when at the mall I remember standing there watching them making orange julius and can’t remember them using milk, but maybe so. Also you can use frozen strawberries in place of orange juice. Last one I bought at mall was a strawberry one. But going to try recipe I miss orange Julius. They had good hot dogs too.
Christina D.
could you use regular orange juice instead of partially frozen orange juice?
Cori
Powdered sugar instead of granulated has always been my go to....
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Cori - yep that works. It can sometimes taste a bit chalky for me since the powdered sugar has cornstarch in it.
Taylor
Add 1 to 2 cups of vanilla ice cream and this recipe goes from great to amazing.
Charlotte
1980s? I am 81 years old and remember loving Orange Julius with my girlfriends when we were teenagers. That was 30 years before the 80s, Of course you weren't even born then. Can't wait to see if this is as good as I remember. Thanks for the memory.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Love hearing your memories!!
Roberta
I always drank mine with a raw egg in it. Made it taste so much better.
Dianne Klinski
The yolk too?
Roberta
Yes
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Roberta, how interesting! I would just encourage anyone doing that to make sure they are using pasteurized eggs only to make sure there is no salmonella poisoning.
Roberta
I raise my own ducks and have never had any problems.
Dianne Klinski
I can't wait to try this! it's so easy and it just reminded me that the kids didn't take the blender when they moved out!
I had heard one time, long time ago, that they used egg whites to make it all frothy. I can't eat egg whites all that well so this will work perfectly. Thank you!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Yes! You better make it for yourself! The milk takes place of any egg white. It will help with the frothiness without the potential for salmonella poisoning. 😉
Dianne Klinski
Good point...
CP
I can't believe how much this tastes like the Orange Julius I remember. I think when Dairy Queen got the rights to sell it - they changed the recipe. It's just not the same to me. But this recipe is JUST like the original I remember!! Thank you so, so much!!
LindaDiaz
so cool!
DawnJay
Blueberry Pancakes, with bacon and a large hot coffee.. simple but satisfying.
Dianne Klinski
And eat it outside on the porch......YES!
Elizabeth Popovici
My ultimate breakfast would be eating biscuits and gravy with souffléd eggs and orange juice with my country boyfriend and his family 🙂
Dianne Klinski
You had me at biscuits and kept me at gravy.............this sounds like a great idea!