A copycat Orange Julius 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.

The Best Orange Julius

Nothing takes me back to my childhood faster than an Orange Julius. My siblings learned how to make it in their foods class, and it became a tradition for my mom to whip one up every Christmas morning. So it was frequently made in my home!

It’s one of those drinks that’s impossible to mess up—so simple, so refreshing, and completely delicious.

Naturally, I had to share my Orange Julius recipe here! With just a few ingredients and a couple of minutes, you’ll have a drink that’s as nostalgic as it is irresistible. You’re going to love it!

Ingredients being added to the blender.

Ingredients In Orange Julius

  • Orange juice concentrate: Use straight from the freezer—no need to thaw.
  • Whole milk: Swap whole milk for almond or oat milk for a dairy-free option.
  • Powdered sugar: Adjust the amount to suit your sweetness preference.
  • Vanilla extract: Taste and adjust the amount for a stronger or subtler flavor.
  • Ice cubes: Blend until completely smooth for the best texture.
Blended Orange Julius still in the blender.

How To Make An Orange Julius

  1. Combine ingredients. Add all the ingredients to a blender.
  2. Blend. Blend everything until the ice is all combined and it’s frothy.
  3. Serve. Immediately after blending, pour into glasses and enjoy! It’s sure to be a hit! 

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.

Tips For Success

  • Pick Good Ingredients: Use the best orange juice concentrate and real vanilla for great flavor.
  • Sweeten to Taste: Add powdered sugar until it’s as sweet as you like.
  • Blend Until Smooth: Make sure there are no ice bits for a creamy texture.
  • Enjoy Right Away: Drink your Orange Julius fresh because it doesn’t store well.
  • Use Cold Ingredients: Chill the milk and water for an extra refreshing drink.

More Citrus Treats

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 sugar—done in just 5 minutes!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 large servings

Equipment

  • Blender

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

Instructions 

  • Combine everything in a blender and process until completely smooth and no ice chunks remain.
  • Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Adjust sweetness by scaling down powdered sugar to personal preference.
Storage: Orange Julius is best enjoyed fresh and doesn’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.

 

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™‚