By Ashton · Updated September 10, 2026
on September 10, 2026
Oh my goodness, you guys — if you have massive childhood nostalgia for the mall food court, this orange julius recipe is about to be tonight’s game changer! I have lot of memories of the 80’s hanging around orange julius stands in the united states, begging my mom for that frothy, creamy orange drink. It was absolutely my favorite treat, and recreating that classic orange julius recipe at home with just a handful of ingredients gives me ALL the feels. Be still my heart! 🍊
The History Behind the Original Orange Julius Recipe
Can we talk about how iconic this drink really is?! The story goes that julius freed created this popular drink back in los angeles when he discovered a secret ingredient — a white powder made from egg whites and other goodies — that transformed plain fresh orange juice into a silky, frothy orange drink. Long-time fans know the real version has that unmistakable frothy vanilla quality that you just can’t forget. Sadly, so many orange julius stands in food courts have closed years ago — but lucky for us, the homemade orange julius recipe is totally a thing! 🙌
Why This Copycat Orange Julius Recipe Tastes Like the Real Deal
This copycat recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have! The key is orange juice concentrate — that’s what gives you that bold, punchy orange flavor without watering things down. Add a touch of vanilla with vanilla extract, toss in some ice cubes, blend it up in a high-speed blender, and honestly? It sure tastes like you’re standing right back at the mall food court. This frothy drink has that gorgeous creamy texture — like a nice orange creamsicle flavor meets an orange juice smoothie. So dreamy! If you love fruity blended drinks, you’ll also want to check out my Peanut Butter Moo’d copycat smoothie — another obsession over here. 😍
Easy Swaps and Add-Ins for Your Orange Julius Drink
This easy recipe is so flexible! Instead of whole milk, try almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or any non-dairy milk you love for a tropical twist. Swap white sugar for maple syrup to cut the added sugar. Want extra protein? Throw in some whey protein or protein powder — it blends right in! You can even add greek yogurt for thickness or vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent creamy drink. Note: this recipe does call for raw eggs or egg whites (like the original recipe!) — if that concerns you, grab pasteurized eggs from the store. Pregnant women should skip the raw whole egg and use pasteurized instead.
Serving Your Frothy Orange Julius
This frothy orange julius is the great way to cool down on hot summer days — one of my absolute favorite summer recipes! Serve it up with a cute orange slice and a sprinkle of orange zest for that extra orange-tastic drink vibe. You can even pour into individual orange juice cups for the entire family — my kids go absolutely bananas for this. 🍊 The amount of ice you use controls how thick it gets, so adjust to your liking! It’s a great treat, a quick summer win, packed with vitamin c for your immune system, and honestly one of my all-time favorite smoothie recipes. If you’re into citrusy summer vibes, my Summertime Cream Sodas and Frozen Treats are calling your name too!
Make This Homemade Orange Julius Recipe Tonight
I literally can’t even explain how good this orange julius copycat smoothies situation is. It’s a delicious smoothie, a delicious drink, a fruity drink, a creamy orange drink — it’s everything. Whether it brings back your childhood memory of being a little kid clutching one of those cups at the dairy queen locations that took over the orange julius drink brand in later years, or it’s brand new to you — you HAVE to make this. The rest of the ingredients come together in seconds, and the frothy texture is just *chef’s kiss.* 🧡 And hey, if you love citrusy baked treats too, my Mandarin Orange Pig Cake is another fan favorite around here. Now go blend up this orange julius drink — your next time is right now!
Banana Orange Creamsicle Smoothie Recipe
Yield:
2 Servings
Prep Time:
5 minutes
Cook Time:
5 minutes
This Banana Orange Creamsicle Smoothie is a refreshing and creamy blend of frozen bananas, bright orange juice, and smooth vanilla yogurt. It comes together in minutes and tastes like a dreamy frozen treat in a glass — perfect for breakfast, a snack, or any time you need a fruity pick-me-up!
Ingredients
- 2 large Banana (frozen)
- 1 1/2 cups Orange Juice (high quality)
- 1/4 cup Vanilla Yogurt
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Place the frozen bananas, orange juice, vanilla yogurt, and pure vanilla extract into a blender.
- Pulse and blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
Notes
For the creamiest texture, make sure your bananas are fully frozen before blending. Use high-quality orange juice — fresh-squeezed works beautifully here. You can substitute Greek yogurt for a thicker, protein-rich smoothie. For a vegan version, swap the vanilla yogurt for a dairy-free alternative.