Copycat Orange Julius (+Video)
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!
YOUR FAVORITE MALL DRINK
Do you remember Orange Julius? It brings back a lot of memories of the 80’s for me. 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. Now, this may not be exactly how it was made back in those days but it sure tastes like it!
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 RECIPES?
Originally published: July 2012
Updated & republished July 2019
Copycat Orange Julius (+Video)
Ingredients
- 12 ounce 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 and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
The original post ran a giveaway. That giveaway is now closed
My grandkids loved this drink.
Love this drink…..
I remember going to Southwyck Mall in Toledo, Ohio when I was a kid and hitting that Orange Julius stand every chance I got. The Mall is no longer there, but I remember becoming friendly with one of the employees and he gave me the recipe for the Orange variety so I could make it at home. Way back then, they used to put a whole raw egg in it and used freshly squeezed OJ, lol. Now due to adult onset lactose intolerance, I use Lactaid milk which will froth up pretty well on its own, but the froth is my favorite part so I will add in a couple of teaspoons of meringue powder for that signature frothy head. Going to the blender now.
I love those memories! I did know about the egg trick! However, I knew absolutely no one would make it if they saw a raw egg in the recipe so I worked around it LOL
Pasteurized eggs or meringue powder would work
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.
Thank you for sharing. Many memories at the Grand Island Mall in Nebraska. These were a staple of that mall.
I remember getting this in Grenache Village in NYC. But I also remember them putting frothee in it.
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?
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.
It wouldn’t be the same.
This recipe is great, but i like to add a little vanilla ice cream to it to make it extra creamy and super yummy!
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.
Love reading everyone’s memories!
Pretty good but the sugar could have been measured to 1/4 as its just a little too sweet
Yummy…I tried this recipe, and turned exactly like the original one.
Yay!! Thank you so much Donna!!
Very good, enjoying one now!
I really liked it! It takes just like the original. It was also very filling.
Tastes the same as original
it was amazing
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.
Oh gosh, this tastes EXACTLY like I remember. I don’t care if this was the exact way they made it (for those complaining) – this tastes exactly like it so that is fine by me! Orange Julius used a powder mix along with some fresh orange juice and a simple syrup (I worked there so I know) and obviously no one knows or can buy the powder mix. I think maybe it was milk powder with some sort of vanilla added (like a powdered creamer) but can’t be sure. Anyhow, I think the milk does a perfect job capturing that. Thank you for bringing back a part of my teenage years. It was great to show my kids what life was like in the 80’s!
could you use regular orange juice instead of partially frozen orange juice?
Powdered sugar instead of granulated has always been my go to….
Hi Cori – yep that works. It can sometimes taste a bit chalky for me since the powdered sugar has cornstarch in it.
Add 1 to 2 cups of vanilla ice cream and this recipe goes from great to amazing.
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.
Love hearing your memories!!
I always drank mine with a raw egg in it. Made it taste so much better.
The yolk too?
Yes
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.
I raise my own ducks and have never had any problems.
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!
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. 😉
Good point…
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!!
so cool!
Blueberry Pancakes, with bacon and a large hot coffee.. simple but satisfying.
And eat it outside on the porch……YES!
My ultimate breakfast would be eating biscuits and gravy with souffléd eggs and orange juice with my country boyfriend and his family 🙂
You had me at biscuits and kept me at gravy………….this sounds like a great idea!