Servings
Font
Back
0 from 0 votes

Recipe for Orange Julius

Transport your taste buds back to simpler, sunny times with a refreshing, nostalgic sip of Orange Julius – made in 5 minutes flat!  In this recipe, I’ll share the secrets to achieving that extra frothy texture, perfectly balanced tart sweetness, and iconic creaminess right at home. Cheers to tips, tricks, variations and frothy fun!

Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 2 -4: 2 large (20 oz. each) or 4 small (10 oz.) drinks.
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces (3/4 cup) frozen orange juice concentrate, no sugar added
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk*
  • 3-4 tablespoons powdered sugar (3 for more tart)
  • 2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix powder (may sub 2 tsps vanilla extract)
  • 1¼ cups ice (16 ice cubes)
  • Optional: 1 pasteurized egg (about 3 TBS) OR 1 TB egg white powder

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add the orange juice concentrate, milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla pudding mix powder to a high-powered blender.
  2. Process until smooth and frothy.
  3. Add the ice cubes and the egg white. Blend to your desired consistency, either like a thick smoothie or slushy with a few ice nubs. Keep in mind that the more you blend, the thinner it will become.
  4. Adjust to taste with additional sugar for sweeter or orange zest (or concentrate) for tangier/less sweet and blend briefly. If your drink is too thin, blend in more ice. If it’s too thick, blend in a little milk. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Milk: I recommend whole milk for maximum creaminess. However, you may use any milk or unsweetened dairy-free milk of choice, considering less fat = less creaminess.  I suggest adding a few scoops of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt if using a lighter milk.  For non-dairy, I recommend oat milk for more frothiness.
  • Egg white or egg white powder (optional):  While you can blend to a frothy consistency, adding an egg white will make the drink extra creamy, airy, and frothy, just like the original.  Take care to use pasteurized egg whites. These are eggs that have been heat-treated to kill any potential bacteria without cooking the egg. You can use an egg white from one pasteurized egg or pasteurized eggs found in cartons at most grocery stores (about three tablespoons). If you cannot find pasteurized eggs, it's best to avoid using raw eggs altogether.  Instead, add a small amount of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt.
  • Variations:  See post for LOTS of ideas!
  • Storage:  Orange Julius is best enjoyed immediately.  Leftovers won't be as tasty because the ice will melt, reducing the creaminess and frothiness. You can attempt to revive leftovers by blending in additional ice cubes but this will water down the flavor.