Copycat Orange Julius

Name: Copycat Orange Julius
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 12 ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate, partially thawed; 1 1/4 cup very cold milk, whole, 2 percent, or almond milk work; 1 cup ice cold water; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/3 cup granulated sugar or to taste; 1 1/2 cups ice, make sure the ice is fresh, this makes a difference

This refreshingly delicious copycat orange Julius recipe tastes just like the one that is still served at some malls across the country and also some stands set up at some county and state fairs.

What is an Orange Julius?

The Orange Julius is a beverage that’s been around since 1926. A man named Julius Freed opened an orange juice stand in Los Angeles. Years later Mr. Freed came up with a more frothy, mild-tasting beverage and the Orange Julius took off.

In the fifties and sixties, there were stands at many county and state fairs serving up the famed orange drink and the beverage was even named the official drink of the New York World’s Fair in 1964.

I asked my older sister if she remembered having this iconic drink and she did.

She told me when she would go to the mall with her friends there was always a line in the food court area for this sweet, refreshing beverage.

I also have a vague memory of my mom taking me to the mall when I was a little girl in the late seventies and buying me one. By then you could find an Orange Julius stand in most malls, by the food court.

In 1987, the Orange Julius chain was bought out by Dairy Queen and several years later, they started serving the beverage in many locations.

Then, in 2019, most Dairy Queen locations stopped offering the beverage. There are still Orange Julius Stands around the country in various malls and some free standing stores. I also heard that some Dairy Queen restaurants will serve the original Orange Julius beverage.

Well, you don’t have to worry about where to find the original drink because I have the easiest copycat recipe right here, with only a handful of simple ingredients that will take you less than five minutes to make.

My kids loved this when I made it the first time, as well as my husnand. Now, my son makes it for all of us every now and then.

Anyone you make this for will probably ask you for the recipe. It’s totally luscious.

Check out the five minute recipe.

Recipe note: The ingredients are for 4 servings. But, it can be cut in half and then half again. Just use what you need of the frozen concentrate, close back up and put back in freezer until ready to use for other uses or when you want to enjoy another one of these sensational Orange Julius beverages.

Copycat Orange Julius

Yields: 4 servings

Nutrition: calories 111.6, fat 0.6 g, sat fat 0 g, carbs 26.9 g, sugars 25.5 g, fiber 0.3 g, protein 0.3 g

WW Smarts Points: 6 – WW Points Plus: 3

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What you’ll need to make a Copycat Orange Julius…

Ingredients:

12 ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate, partially thawed
1¼ cup very cold milk, whole, 2 percent, or almond milk work
1 cup ice cold water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅓ cup granulated sugar, or to taste
1½ cups ice, make sure the ice is fresh, this makes a difference

Simple ingredients to lusciousness!

Whirl this baby up!

Here’s how to make a Copycat Orange Julius at home…

Directions:

Add ice in blender along with ½ cup of cold water to break up the ice just a bit.
Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until thick and frothy. Taste for sweetness. Add more ice or milk if needed for consistency.
Pour into glasses. That’s it.

Enjoy the refreshing deliciousness!