Learn how to make an Orange Julius at home with this simple and tasty recipe for Orange Julius! Not quite a smoothie, not quite a juice, always delicious...
Copycat Easy Orange Julius Recipe
Just like a day at the fair isn't complete without a Lemon Shake Up, a trip to the mall isn't done right unless you grab an Orange Julius while you're there. Well, at least that's how we did it when I was a mall-trolling teenager...
I really can't remember the last time I've seen a real Orange Julius store, and picking one up at Dairy Queen just isn't the same. Am I right? So I did a little research and put together this recipe for Orange Julius that I can enjoy any time I want!
And now is the perfect time to give it a try, because oranges are in season! This easy Orange Julius recipe uses navel oranges, but you'll find a wide array of beautiful citrus fruits beyond this basic choice.
Orange Julius Ingredients
Aside from some fresh, juicy and delicious navel oranges, you'll probably also need to pick up a container of meringue powder. Look for it in the cake decorating aisle.
The remaining ingredients are staples that you most likely have on hand already: milk, confectioners' sugar, pure vanilla extract, and ice.
Orange Julius Recipe With Fresh Oranges
Add 1 ¾ cups of freshly squeezed orange juice to your blender. To the juice add the milk, confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and vanilla extract, and blend thoroughly. Add the ice and blend again until smooth and frothy.
While you can make this Orange Julius recipe with orange juice from the grocery store, I far prefer the taste of fresh-squeezed OJ. It's definitely worth the extra work!
This recipe makes enough for two large 16-oz. glasses, but we often split it up into four smaller 8-oz. servings. Either way, it's a delicious and refreshing drink any time!
NOTE: I know that my Orange Julius isn't quite as orange as what you'd get in a store, but I wasn't willing to add any food coloring, etc. to achieve that shade. I've heard rumors that flat orange pop is used as coloring in the original, so if you want a brighter shade, by all means give that a try.
Printable Recipe ↓
Easy Recipe for Orange Julius
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ cup milk
- ⅓ cup confectioners sugar
- 1 tablespoon meringue powder
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups ice
Instructions
- Add orange juice, milk, confectioners' sugar, meringue powder, and vanilla extract to a blender and blend well.
- Next add the ice and blend again until smooth and frothy.
- Serve immediately.
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Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your Orange Julius turns out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Angel says
I have made homemade orange julius since I went to the mall as a teenager many moons ago. You were right about Dairy Queen not standing a candle to the real Orange Julius. But up until now I used Coffee mate creamer powder but I tried the meringue powder which I already keep on hand for no cook egg white recipes so I made your recipe and it was delicious and dare I say way more like the original ones. Someone who worked at the original told me it was coffee mate and it was frothy and very good and I didn't use fresh squeezed oj but I did buy the fresh Simple Orange this time and have even tried the Tropicana pineapple mango juice with probiotics and it was just as good. My grown children and my 8 year old grandson loved them too. Now I make them for him a couple times a week. They are healthy aren't they. :) I always considered them healthy. So I will continue to make your recipe and will try many more of your recipes that I have seen. Thank you for the delicious recipes.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Ha — yes, we'll just say they're healthy enough. ;) I really like the Simply Orange OJ, too — it's the perfect substitute for fresh squeezed in this recipe.
Angel says
I have made homemade orange julius since I went to the mall as a teenager many moons ago. You were right about Dairy Queen not standing a candle to the real Orange Julius. But up until now I used Coffee mate creamer powder but I tried the meringue powder which I already keep on hand for no cook egg white recipes so I made your recipe and it was delicious and dare I say way more like the original ones. Someone who worked at the original told me it was coffee mate and it was frothy and very good and I didn't use fresh squeezed oj but I did buy the fresh Simple Orange this time and have even tried the Tropicana pineapple mango juice with probiotics and it was just as good. My grown children and my 8 year old grandson loved them too. Now I make them for him a couple times a week. They are healthy aren't they. :) I always considered them healthy. So I will continue to make your recipe and will try many more of your recipes that I have seen. Thank you for the delicious recipes.
Velda says
Just made this for my teenage grandkids. Asked what they thought one word DELISH. Thanks for sharing. Definate hit.
Velda says
Just made this for my teenage grandkids. Asked what they thought one word DELISH. Thanks for sharing. Definate hit.
Brenda says
Is there a healthier way I can add sugar other than powdered sugar?
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs says
Meringue powder? Tara, you're a rockstar! This recipe looks so delicious and refreshing!