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This smooth Orange Julius blend brings all the sunny vibes with every sip. Orange juice teams up with creamy vanilla for a foam-topped treat that tastes just like your favorite food court drink from back in the day. Whip this up fast and enjoy a little pick-me-up for any busy morning or afternoon.
I’d always get those tall foamy drinks at the mall so finally figuring out how to make one at home felt awesome My crew wants it a lot on weekends especially once it gets hot outside
Tasty Ingredients
- Granulated sugar: Sprinkle in to fit your sweet tooth Just double check it’s all stirred in
- Ice cubes: Drop in some ice for that fluffy chilly finish Fresh clean ice makes it taste even better
- Milk: Go with whole milk for the creamiest sip but any milk will do the job
- Vanilla extract: Grab real vanilla if you can for that classic ice cream parlor flavor
- Water: Pour in cold water so your mixture blends smooth and isn’t too thick
- Orange juice: Fresh-squeezed is the gold standard for zing but store-bought works fine
Good vanilla and fresh orange juice really pop here If you can squeeze your own OJ from a navel orange it’s so worth those few minutes
Easy How-To Guide
- Serve Up Fast:
- Pour into chilled glasses if you want extra cold vibes Pop in a straw or an orange slice for a fun throwback
- Blend Like Crazy:
- Let your blender go for around 45 seconds on high until everything’s pale and super foamy Make sure the ice is gone and the sugar’s totally mixed in
- Check and Fix:
- Taste it with a spoon Add more vanilla or sweetener if you want Hit blend again quick if you adjust
- Toss It In:
- Put orange juice, milk, vanilla, sugar, cold water, and ice in your blender—liquids first so nothing gets stuck
I always love that pop of vanilla Flavor hits just right Reminds me of my cousins and I crowding the kitchen on sunny Saturdays making pitcher after pitcher
Smart Storage
Down this smoothie as soon as it’s blended for best texture If you need to stash some, keep it tightly covered in your fridge and finish it within four hours—shake or stir before drinking Got extra? Freeze in popsicle molds for a cool treat later
Swap Outs
Dairy-free? Try almond, oat, or coconut milk if you want something lighter To cut down the sugar use honey or maple syrup instead If your juice needs flavor, splash in some orange extract
Fun Serving Ideas
If you wanna jazz things up put a slice of orange or a little mint on each glass Sips well with light breakfast foods or as a summer afternoon boost Personally I love it with a slice of sweet toast
Fun Backstory
Back in the 1920s Orange Julius took off at California juice stands Its original creamy bubbly style made it stand out from old-school orange juice Pretty soon it was everywhere in the country’s malls and grew into a nostalgia hit
Frequently Asked Cooking Questions
- → Can I use fresh oranges instead of orange juice?
You sure can! Freshly squeezed oranges make this smoother super bright—just swap them in for bottled juice.
- → How do I make this dairy-free?
Just use oat or almond milk if you want it dairy-free. Any plant milk works great here.
- → What can I use instead of granulated sugar?
Try honey, agave, or sweetener if you're out of regular sugar—just keep in mind the flavor will change up a bit.
- → How do I achieve a thicker smoothie?
Chuck in extra ice or freeze your orange juice first for a smoothie that's super thick and rich.
- → Is it possible to prepare this in advance?
It's really best fresh, but you can measure and chill the ingredients before blending if you want to save a little time on busy days.