Learn how to make an Orange Julius at home with this simple and tasty Orange Julius recipe! Not quite a smoothie, not quite a juice, always delicious…
Copycat 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 homemade Orange Julius recipe 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 Orange Julius recipe uses navel oranges, but you’ll find a wide array of beautiful citrus fruits beyond this basic choice.
One of the reasons I love to shop for produce at Walmart is their 100% freshness guarantee, which means that if I’m not completely satisfied with my produce purchase, I can just bring back my receipt to receive a full refund, no questions asked! There’s not even a need to bring back the spoiled items.
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 — you’ll find 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.
While you can make this Orange Julius recipe using store-bought orange juice, I far prefer the taste of fresh-squeezed OJ — it’s definitely worth the extra work!
How To Make An Orange Julius?
Add 1 3/4 cups of 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.
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!
Homemade Orange Julius Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon meringue powder
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 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.
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. But we love it as is!
If you like this Orange Julius recipe, you might also enjoy these other fun copycat recipes:
Angel
Friday 18th of October 2019
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
Saturday 19th of October 2019
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.
Velda
Saturday 24th of February 2018
Just made this for my teenage grandkids. Asked what they thought one word DELISH. Thanks for sharing. Definate hit.
Brenda
Thursday 30th of January 2014
Is there a healthier way I can add sugar other than powdered sugar?
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs
Wednesday 29th of January 2014
Meringue powder? Tara, you're a rockstar! This recipe looks so delicious and refreshing!