This 4-Ingredient Orange Julius Recipe takes only a few minutes. It’s frothy, cool, and supremely delicious. Tastes just like the mall version, but way cheaper and healthier.
4-Ingredient Orange Julius
In our culture of smoothies galore, anything goes. Smoothie add-ins range from whey protein to wheatgrass to collagen.
I’m not betting on wrinkles miraculously disappearing by gulping smoothies. {Anything’s possible?} That said, this Chia Seed Pudding and this Tropical Green Smoothies are on-trend, healthy, and taste pretty awesome.
But sometimes, we all just long for sweet and simple. Nothing fancy, but everything delicious. Something classic, yet definitely improved. We’re talking this 4-ingredient homemade Orange Julius smoothie that brings you back to childhood summers at the mall.
Anyone have nostalgic memories of begging Mom for that frothy Orange Julius you saw everyone else buying at the mall? These days, it’s not always convenient to get to the mall and we don’t typically want to blow twelve bucks for two small smoothies. Problem solved: this 4-Ingredient Orange Julius recipe is healthier, budget-friendly, and every bit as delicious.
Our homemade Orange Julius is frothy, cool, and scrumptious. It’s just like what you get at the mall, without actually going to the mall. In fact, you don’t have to go anywhere. And it takes only a few teensy minutes to whip up…
Put your blender to work
You’ll be amazed at how easy and fast this classic smoothie is to whip up at home. You’ll need just 4 basic ingredients and a good heavy duty countertop blender. You’ll probably want to keep your blender on the counter all summer long, for homemade Orange Julius smoothies on the regular. We keep our trusty blender within easy reach for Strawberry Julius smoothies, too.
This frosty orange smoothie is so easy, the kids can help gather the ingredients and watch, you blend up this family treat. (Pro mom tip: be sure to divvy up everyone’s share evenly, right in front of the kids’ watchful eyes, because they’ll absolutely be monitoring the situation.)
Semi-Surprise Ingredient
It may be somewhat unexpected, but you’ll be using a can of 100% frozen orange juice from concentrate in this recipe. Totally old-school. Rather than juicing fresh oranges or using liquid juice, frozen orange juice is perfect because it’s already freezer-cold and boasts an intense orange flavor. We keep several cans of 100% orange juice in the freezer at all times now.
Our recipe uses low-fat milk, but whole milk will work wonderfully for a slightly richer texture. Powdered sugar and real vanilla extract round out the recipe.
There are no unknowns and no questionable ingredients. It’s all pure and simple.
Somehow, these 4 little ingredients blend up all fizzy and bubbly. Your drink will stay nice and frothy for awhile, so you can sit back and sip slowly, and savor every drop of this refreshing classic (it’s kinda hard to sip slowly, but it sounds good in theory.)
Try this Easy Thai Iced Coffee, too:
4-Ingredient Orange Julius Recipe (5-Minute)
- Prep Time: 4 mins
- Total Time: 4 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: drinks
- Method: blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This 4-Ingredient Orange Julius Recipe takes just a few minutes. It’s frothy, cool, and supremely delicious! Tastes just like the mall version, but way healthier and cheaper.
Ingredients
- 12 oz can of frozen 100% orange juice concentrate
- 2 cups low fat or whole milk
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- In a heavy duty blender, add all ingredients except ice cubes. Blend for a few seconds until mixture is smooth. Add ice cubes and blend just until frothy (doesn’t take long.) Serve immediately, with additional ice cubes if desired.
Keywords: Homemade Orange Julius, Orange Smoothie
Kitchen Essentials:
Smoothies and More:
You ALWAYS make me want to try your recipes. I am a HUGE smoothierre (yes, I just made that up) and am always on the lookout for new recipes. Never made one made of oranges before but will be trying this when I return home!!
http://www.keepingupwithcandy.com
Hope you love it as much as we do, Candy! Thanks so much for being here today
I just had the real thing this evening and I will be trying this out tomorrow. I watched them use their powders….. I’m still wondering….all natural sounds much better. Thanks for the recipe.
I know, the mysterious powders…;P LOL! Thanks for coming over, William, and hope you love the recipe as much as we do!
What are the mysterious powders in the orange julius ?
I am really into smoothies lately! I recently got a Nutribullet so I’ve been trying lots of different recipes. I love orange-flavored drinks so I will add this to my list!
Hope you love it as much as we do, Courtney! Thanks for being here today 🙂
I agree it’s pretty difficult to sip slowly when it’s orange! Orange has a zesty taste n the fragrance makes one really happy!
Yes, totally agree 🙂 Thanks for coming over, Tiffany!
Looks like drinking sunshine! Delightful.
Love that description! 🙂
I’ve never had an Orange Julius before. It sounds easy to make so perhaps I should try it
Definitely, Odette! 🙂
Mmmm…I love a good Orange Julius! And even better with natural ingredients!
Thank you, Melissa! 🙂
It is soooo hot in my house right now. I could really use one of these right about now.
I know, today is smoking hot in our ‘hood, too!
Sounds good and refreshing. I love orange.
Thanks so much, Tali! 🙂
Sitting in DQ, sipping a Julius, wishing I had found this ten minutes ago.
Could I do this with frozen raspberries, peaches, any other fruit? Lemonade concentrate? The julius website has several flavors listed there. I remember the mall stores had several flavors… those were so good. I will try it. The raspberry one was really good!
I definitely think you can use different fruits and experiment with flavors! It would be such fun, and I’m sure all of it would turn out delish! I’m thinking my boys would LOVE if I did that kind of experiment for them 😉
Thanks for the Orange Julius recipe. It taste wonderful. 5 Stars. By Gregg L. Friedman MD
It is 7 am and I jut made this for breakfast, but I did add a little protien powder … OMG just lime I remembered for childhood. .. I am taking this to a “Breakfast for Dinner” pot luck… and I am making a gallon of the stuff…. this is so good…
I tried this recipe, and my grandkids loved it .. My husband thought it tasted exactly like Orange julius
Yay, that makes me smile, Veronica! 🙂 Love it!
Since I’m a diabetic I can’t drink orange juice because of all the added sugar they put in it. So what i did is I put fresh peeled oranges, %1 milk and ice in the blender and it works. Tastes just as good.
Sounds amazing, Joel!
4 ingredients?
1. Frozen orange juice concentrate.
2. Milk
3. Sugar
4. Vanilla
5. Ice cubes.
It has been a while since I have taken a counting class but I am pretty sure that is 5 ingredients.
If you count water in ice cube form..,I’m thinking she didn’t here.Js
I’ve never had one of these before but it reminds me of a creamsicle ice cream pop!
To be honest, it is my first time to hear about his Orange Julius recipe and it looks really delicious. I must try this and I am sure my husband will love it.
This sounds so refreshing! I will try this as you sa I can.
★★★★★
This looks refreshing! I’m glad you shared the recipe with us, looking forwardto trying this out sometime!
Oh, this orange Juice looks really refreshing. Will have to try this out.
I love anything that has orange in it especially if the recipe has a minimum number of ingredients like this Orange Julius.
★★★★★
Ohh this sounds refreshing. I need to try this. Thank you.
I love a good old fashioned orange Julius and I’m so glad I found this recipe- DELICIOUS!
★★★★★
This drink is amazing! We will be making it all summer long. Love that is uses simple ingredients… ones that I can always keep on hand. Thank you for the great recipe!
★★★★★
So glad you all liked this!
I love Citrus fruits and oranges are my favorite too. Perfect Summer drink option for an amazing breakfast treat too.
I have not had a Orange Julius since walking the malls when I was younger whilst shopping! I just love the taste of these, can’t wait to try this recipe out, thanks!
★★★★★
All of these look super refreshing and very healthy, which I am all for! I cant wait to make the strawberry Julius and the mango smoothie for my kids as I know they will love them. Thank you for sharing these recipes!
★★★★★
I remember having this all the time as a kid and it brings back such happy memories! I’m definitely going to make this over the weekend. It looks incredible!
★★★★★
Wow, they look so refreshing and delicious. Thanks a lot for this recipe. I am making this today.
★★★★★
Aha! so refreshing and hydrating for this sunny weather. I love this juice and infact my whole family enjoys it. Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
I haven’t had an orange julius since I was maybe 5 years ago! I remember it from a place at the mall. I need to give yours a go!
Sip slowly? Haha. I’ll just use a big spoon. I would inhale this! So perfect for the weather we’ve been having.