My Orange Julius Smoothie copycat is a creamy, frothy treat with just three simple ingredients plus ice. It’s got that nostalgic orange and vanilla flavor, like a creamsicle in a glass, but without being too sweet. I make mine with Maïzly cornmilk, which keeps it dairy free, vegan, and gluten free. It’s also packed with fiber and vitamin C, with no banana needed for creaminess.
This post is sponsored by Maïzly, but the thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
The Orange Julius was created in 1926 by Julius Freed, a man who loved oranges so much he opened his own orange juice stand. To make the juice less acidic, he began blending it with a few other ingredients, and soon customers were shouting, “Give me an orange, Julius!” and a classic drink was born.
Dairy Queen eventually bought the company, and Orange Julius stands popped up across the country. If you can’t find one at your local mall, no worries. Learn my secrets to making the best orange cream smoothie at home instead!
🍊 Orange Julius Smoothie Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make a delicious orange cream smoothie drink:
- 10 ice cubes
- ¾ cup orange juice concentrate (6 ounces; do not dilute it)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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The flavor, nutrition info, and consistency of this orange smoothie will vary depending on the type of milk or plant-based milk you choose. I am using Maïzly cornmilk, a non-GMO vegan “milk” made from corn fiber and chickpea protein. I like this non-dairy milk because it is creamy and tastes like cow’s milk, with no corn taste at all.
In addition, Maïzly is an excellent source of vitamins A, D, and E and a good source of calcium. It also froths well, which is an important attribute for making an Orange Julius copycat. Thin almond milk or rice milk just won’t cut it here!
🥤️ Orange Julius Smoothie Copycat
Crush the ice cubes in a food processor or high speed blender first. (If you impatiently add all of the ingredients at once, the liquids may splatter. Ask me how I know. Lol)
Add in the rest of the ingredients (orange juice concentrate, milk, and vanilla). Blend until as smooth as possible. I find that this smoothie is easiest to drink with a wide-width straw to pick up any icy bits that didn’t fully break down.
Enjoy this frothy, creamy, sweet treat!
Orange Julius Smoothie Recipe Copycat (featuring Maizly)
My Orange Julius Smoothie copycat is a creamy, frothy treat with just three simple ingredients plus ice.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 251 kcal
Please leave a comment below 😊
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Crush the ice cubes in a food processor or high speed blender first. (If you impatiently add all of the ingredients at once, the liquids may splatter.)
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Add in the rest of the ingredients (orange juice concentrate, milk, and vanilla). Blend until as smooth as possible. I find that this smoothie is easiest to drink with a wide-width straw to pick up any icy bits that didn’t fully break down.
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💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). Feel free to adjust this recipe to suit your needs. For example, you can boost the protein by adding protein powder, Greek yogurt (for a tangy twist), or even powdered egg whites.
The orange juice concentrate adds a bright, fresh orange flavor and is an energy-dense ingredient. However, it’s not ideal for low-carb diets. I find it provides just enough natural sweetness that no extra sugar is needed.
The nutrition information for this smoothie will vary greatly based on the milk you use. I chose Maïzly for its nutrition benefits:
- High in fiber (8g per cup): For comparison, oatmeal has about 4g fiber per cup, so Maïzly can be a helpful way to boost fiber intake.
- Low in sugar (4g per cup): If you are looking to lower the net carbs in your diet, Maïzly is lower in total sugars than dairy milk. Whole milk has about 12g of natural sugars per cup, while Maïzly has 4g of added sugar.
- Allergen-friendly: Contains no nuts, soy, or gluten.
Nutrition information is one serving using Maïzly cornmilk and calcium-fortified orange juice concentrate.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Calories: 251kcalCarbohydrates: 47.8gProtein: 2gFat: 3.5gSaturated Fat: 3gFiber: 4.3gVitamin A: 12.5% DVVitamin C: 210% DVCalcium: 45% DVIron: 3% DV
Keywords orange cream smoothie, orange julius smoothie
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
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