A copycat Orange Julius Recipe made in the blender using orange concentrate, milk, vanilla extract, and a little bit of sugar!

A couple cups of Orange Julius with fresh oranges on the side.
chelsea

authorโ€™s note

This Copycat Orange Julius Tastes Just Like Childhood!

Nothing takes me back to my childhood faster than an Orange Julius. My siblings learned how to make it in foods class, and from that point on, it became a Christmas morning tradition at my house. I can still picture my mom pulling out the blender while we were all half awake, waiting for that first cold, frothy sip.

Iโ€™ve made this drink more times than I can count, tweaking little things along the way to get it just right. Some versions were too icy, some too sweet, and some just didnโ€™t have that signature creamy texture. This version is the one I keep coming back to. Itโ€™s smooth, perfectly sweet, and has that nostalgic flavor I remember.

Lately, Iโ€™ve been making it for my kids as an after-school treat or alongside a big weekend breakfast. It feels a little special but takes almost no effort, which is always a win.

signature
Ingredients being added to the blender.

Orange Julius Recipe Ingredients

IngredientTip or Swap
Orange juice concentrateUse straight from the freezer for the best thick texture and bold flavor
MilkWhole milk gives the creamiest result, but almond or oat milk works great
Powdered sugarBlends smoother than granulated and keeps the drink silky
Vanilla extractAdds that classic flavor, donโ€™t skip it
Ice cubesUse enough to chill and thicken without watering it down
Blended Orange Julius still in the blender.

How To Make An Orange Julius Recipe

  1. Combineย ingredients.ย Add all the ingredients to a blender.
  2. Blend.ย Blend everything until the ice is all combined and itโ€™s frothy.
  3. Serve.ย Immediately after blending, pour into glasses and enjoy! Itโ€™s sure to be a hit!ย 

Variations

Try Something New!

  • Top your drink with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm flavor.
  • Add some frozen berries, like strawberries or raspberries, for extra fruitiness.
  • Use coconut milk instead of regular milk for a tropical flavor like a Pina Colada.

Ready-to-drink Orange Julius with a straw in it and cut oranges around it.

Storage

Enjoy Right Away: Drink your Orange Julius recipe fresh because it doesnโ€™t store well.

More Refreshing Frozen Drinks:

Tap stars to rate!
5 from 10 votes

Orange Julius

This copycat Orange Julius is made in the blender using orange concentrate, milk, vanilla extract, and a little bit of sugarโ€”done in just 5 minutes!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 large servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1/2 of a (12-ounce) container orange juice from concentrate, not thawed
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar see note 1
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract increase/reduce to personal preference
  • 1 cup ice cubes

Instructionsย 

  • Combine everything in a blender and process until completely smooth and no ice chunks remain.
  • Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately.
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Adjust sweetness by scaling down powdered sugar to personal preference.
Storage: Orange Julius is best enjoyed fresh and doesnโ€™t store well once blended.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 68mg | Potassium: 734mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 53g | Vitamin A: 520IU | Vitamin C: 117mg | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

ย 

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

More Recipes You'll Love

5 from 10 votes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




29 Comments

  1. Merium says:

    5 stars
    This was utterly delightful !! So I would like to say thank you for this astounding recipe!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      I am so happy to hear! Thanks so much! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Cementine Wilcox says:

    5 stars
    I love this! I reduced the milk and put a little whipping cream on it was like whip cream on the top!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      I am so happy you loved this Orange Julius! Thanks so much for your comment! ๐Ÿ™‚