Homemade Orange Julius: A Frothy, Retro Dream
Let’s be honest. Some of the best food memories are made in food courts—and Orange Julius is the ultimate example. That icy, creamy, citrusy drink? Total nostalgia in a cup. But what if I told you that the best Orange Julius you’ll ever have isn’t found at a mall kiosk… it’s blended up in your kitchen?
Chef Kirstie here, and at 10 years old I was BLOWN AWAY by this copycat version made by my mom’s best friend. I’ve been making it (off and on!) for years.
This recipe is even better than the ‘food court’ version–It’s the real deal—creamy, frothy, orangey perfection, made with simple ingredients you probably already have. And yes, there’s a version with vodka too (because grown-ups deserve fun, frothy drinks too).
Let’s dive into the world of Homemade Orange Julius, and I’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
🍊 What Is a Homemade Orange Julius?
Think orange creamsicle meets smoothie—but fluffier. The original Orange Julius dates back to the 1920s in California, and it was essentially a cold, sweet orange drink with a secret foamy texture that made it wildly popular. The mall version came later, but the froth? That’s always been the magic.
Our Homemade Orange Julius leans into that creamy citrus vibe, with just the right balance of sweetness, chill, and froth. We’re skipping powdered mixes and mystery thickeners and going full-on homemade with real orange juice concentrate, milk, vanilla, and a few pro chef tricks.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 Minutes
- Yield: 2–4 Servings 1x
Ingredients
This recipe serves 2 large smoothies or 4 coupe-sized sippers. Here’s what you need:
- 1/2 can frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1 1/2 cups milk (whole milk is ideal, but use what you like)
- 1 raw egg (yes—more on this below)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 banana, fresh or frozen (optional, but recommended)
- 1 heaping tbsp sugar
- 2 cups ice cubes
- Splash of cold water, if needed to blend
- 1 oz vodka per drink, optional for the afternoon version
🧑🍳 About That Raw Egg
As a chef, I can tell you: the egg is the secret to that classic Julius foam. It’s what gives the drink that signature creamy texture that feels almost like a milkshake, but lighter. Use the freshest eggs you can get, and if you’re concerned, opt for pasteurized eggs. You can also skip the egg entirely if needed—but you’ll lose that signature froth.
Instructions
🍹 How to Make a Homemade Orange Julius (Chef-Style)
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Add Everything to Your Blender:Toss in the orange juice concentrate, milk, egg, banana (if using), vanilla, sugar, and ice. Don’t add water or vodka yet.
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Blend It Up: Start on low, then crank it to high and let it rip for about a minute. You’re aiming for smooth and frothy—not just cold. If it seems too thick, add a splash of water.
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Serve It Up: For breakfast or brunch: Pour into two tall glasses and serve immediately. For adult sippers: Pour into 4 chilled coupe glasses and add 1 oz vodka to each. Stir and serve!
Notes
💡 Chef Tips for the Best Homemade Orange Julius
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Use frozen orange juice concentrate – not fresh-squeezed. The concentrate gives that bold, nostalgic orange flavour.
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Banana adds body. It’s optional, but it rounds out the drink beautifully without being too banana-forward.
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Use whole milk for richness – or try oat milk for a dairy-free version that still blends creamy.
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Blender quality matters. A high-speed blender (like a Vitamix or Blendtec) gets the fluff just right.
Cook With Us!
Like this recipe? You should try cooking with us! Start with an on-demand pre-recorded class, or jump in to the best experience with our live classes!
We have taken many classes over several years, and they never disappoint! Kristie & team always have great pointers and tricks to learn in the video. We love the Japanese burgers, and they are always a hit with guests. That's the thing: you make the recipe at home, it doesn't take a long time, and the result is so good that you want to make it again and again. Just try one, you'll see. 🙂I had such a fantastic experience at the cooking class! My daughter and I had an amazing time — our Bao Buns and Crispy Chicken turned out delicious, and we learned so much throughout the session. It was a fun, inspiring, and rewarding evening. I can’t wait to come back for another class. Highly recommend!Our virtual cooking class experience was top notch! Well organized, wonderfully communicated, and entertaining! A delicious outcome which boosted our confidence to try more challenging recipes in the future. Highly recommend!I have taken a few classes in the past - always find the products delicious, and I enjoy the challenge of trying to keep up :)I subscribe the updates and get links to recipes - I recently made the Olive Oil Lemon cake. It turned out delicious – as you said in the description, very moist! My daughter has a birthday in strawberry season and typically she asks for strawberry shortcake with a traditional shortcake recipe… I served the lemon came this weekend with a bit of whipping cream and fresh strawberries (your picture was quite enticing) and her comment was that her birthday request this year would be to replace the traditional shortcake with this recipe!I've taken several on-line cooking classes from The Culinary Studio and have really enjoyed each one. The recipes are delicious and the instructions are very well laid out. I always learn new cooking tips and skills.It has been most likely a year and a half since I’ve made moussaka. Having the recording available was a godsend. So good and lots of leftovers! Having the recording is priceless!I made Dan Dan noodles last month and again referred to the recording as it has been awhile. I was grateful for the reminders, tips and tricks. Not to mention, I love to cook with Kirstie and Jody. They make it so much fun!Most of the meals I make are from your repertoire. I think I have close to 60!Love these ladies! Classes are easy to follow, informative, filled with all kinds of tricks & tips and best of all DELICIOUS!! This is our "night out" dining adventure that we can re-do & show off to our family & friends.My husband and I joined the Valentine's Day Date Night cooking class. Very enjoyable experience full of informative tips and thorough explanations followed by a delectable meal. Thank you Kirstie & Jodie. We'll be back!I recently did an online Lamb Briyani class. It used some cooking techniques I wasn't familiar with and produced a dish that was as tasty as the best Indian food I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying.I have done a few classes with the Culinary Studio and always enjoy the classes and the fabulous meals. They deliver the food to my door all prepped for the class if I like (which I do!). Highly recommended.We did a virtual zoom cooking class. It was better than cooking classes we have done in a actual class. We really enjoyed our ourselves. We have made the meal a couple of times since the class. We have friends over for the session and have great restaurant quality mealsThe Culinary Studio is an wonderful online chef duo!You will learn delicious recipes taught in real time from start to end by two good friends who want nothing more than to teach you how to cook and and have fun doing it. Class presentation is practical and encouraging with one chef starting and one playing 'catch up' so you do not miss anything and no question will go unanswered!The recipe with food pack is perfectly packaged and always arrives on time to make it easy so you do not have to shop!Several recipes from the Culinary Studio are in our regular rotation!Excited to keep cooking with you Kirstie and Jody!Online classes have allowed me the convenience to open my computer and learn in the comfort of my home and to do the class on my own schedule rather than missing out due to life's interruptions. Classes are paced well and the chef's are ready to answer your cooking questions even if they are unrelated to the class. I have used the recipes frequently in my day to day life and recently at an event where I overhead participants raving about the soup and cookies I had prepared, which were from Culinary Studio class recipes.I was at the Studio for the very first class they held and I have continued to take classes for the past 13 years. While some things have changed over the years, the quality, knowledge and skills Jody and Kirstie bring to each class has not.The skills I learned through the their instruction have been used daily.To Chefs Kirstie & Jody! My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed the recipes and techniques we have acquired by following your live sessions and on-demand courses available on your website. You have a casual and an informative style that is very appealing. Most importantly both of you thrive on good food and beverage as much as we do! Bravo - we hope your future includes many more years of teaching and developing new dishes. Thank you. 🙂
🧃 Substitutions
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Milk: Use any milk you like—dairy, oat, almond, soy. Whole milk creates the richest result.
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Egg: Use pasteurized eggs, or leave it out entirely. You can add a spoonful of Greek yogurt or aquafaba (yes, really) to fake the foam.
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Banana: Optional, but adds natural sweetness and texture.
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Sweetener: Sub maple syrup, honey, agave, or leave it out entirely for a less-sweet version.
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Vodka: Totally optional. You can also try gin or vanilla vodka for a fun twist.
❗ What to Know / Avoid in This Recipe
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Avoid using fresh orange juice. It won’t deliver that signature taste or texture.
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Don’t skip the vanilla. It ties the whole thing together and brings in that classic Orange Julius flavour.
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Skip the blender shortcuts. You need a full minute of high-speed blending to achieve that signature froth.
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Ice cubes, not crushed ice. They blend slower, creating better aeration and texture.
🧊 Storage Recommendations
This is not a make-ahead drink. You want to serve it immediately after blending for maximum froth and flavour.
Leftovers?
You can freeze them into popsicle moulds. They make amazing creamsicle-style treats the next day!
❓ FAQ
Is it safe to use raw egg?
Yes, if you use pasteurized eggs or very fresh local eggs. The egg creates the drink’s signature frothiness. If you’re not comfortable, skip it or use a safe alternative like pasteurized egg white or Greek yogurt.
Can I make this without a blender?
Not really. The froth is key—and you need a high-speed blender to get there.
Can I make it vegan?
Yes! Skip the egg, use a frozen banana, and sub in oat milk and maple syrup. You’ll still get creamy vibes, but without the froth.
Can I use fresh oranges?
You can—but it won’t taste like a true Orange Julius. The frozen concentrate gives that classic tangy-sweet balance.
Final Sip: Why Homemade Orange Julius Is Worth Making
Whether you’re chasing childhood memories or just want a refreshing, frothy citrus drink, this Homemade Orange Julius recipe delivers. It’s fast, easy, nostalgic, and ridiculously good. You can make it for breakfast, serve it at brunch, or spike it for summer patio sessions.
