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Orange Julius

This iconic frozen beverage captures the signature sweetness, frothy texture, and bright citrus flavor of the original Orange Julius. Quick, crowd-pleasing, and endlessly customizable, it's perfect for busy mornings, hot afternoons, or when you want to impress guests with a retro treat that tastes better homemade.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 cup frozen orange juice concentrate thawed
  • 1 cup whole milk cold
  • 1 cup vanilla ice cream scooped
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • Pinch of salt

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Tall glasses
  • Spoon or straw for stirring

Method
 

  1. Pull your milk and ice cream from the refrigerator and freezer so everything is as cold as possible when you blend. Cold ingredients prevent the ice cream from melting and keep the final drink thick and frosty rather than thin and watery.
  2. Pour 1 cup of thawed frozen orange juice concentrate into your blender. Thawing it first ensures it blends smoothly and distributes evenly throughout the drink without creating icy chunks.
  3. Pour 1 cup of cold whole milk directly into the blender on top of the orange juice concentrate. The cold milk helps keep the overall temperature low so your ice cream scoops don't melt during blending.
  4. Scoop 1 full cup of vanilla ice cream into the blender, then add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and a small pinch of salt.
  5. Add 1 cup of ice cubes on top of everything else in the blender. The ice creates that signature thick, frothy texture and keeps the drink cold enough that it stays creamy rather than separating into layers.
  6. Secure the blender lid and blend on high speed for about 60 to 90 seconds, stopping halfway through to stir if needed. You want everything fully combined and the mixture to look thick, creamy, and frothy, not thin or chunky with ice.
  7. If the mixture seems too thick, add a splash more milk and blend again for 15 seconds. If it's too thin, add a small handful of ice cubes and blend briefly until you reach the right texture.
  8. Divide the mixture between two tall glasses and serve right away with a straw or spoon. Orange Julius is best enjoyed immediately while the texture is at its creamiest and the ice cream hasn't started to separate.

Notes

The secret to authentic Orange Julius texture is using frozen concentrate rather than fresh juice; it gives you that signature thick, almost sherbet-like consistency. Keep all ingredients as cold as possible before blending. This drink must be served immediately and does not store well as the ice cream and ice separate quickly. For variations, try adding strawberries, pineapple juice, or extra vanilla extract for an orange creamsicle flavor.