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Home » Recipes » Drinks

Orange Julius copycat

Published: Feb 3, 2023 by Kate

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Glass of drink, list of ingredients and text: Copycat Orange Julius.
Glass of drink, with text: Copycat Orange Julius.

Make your own copycat Orange Julius in minutes with just 4 simple ingredients! It's quick, easy, and tastes just like the real thing. Tangy, creamy, frothy, and absolutely delicious.

Close up of a glass of orange julius.
Copycat Orange Julius

Making this Orange Julius copycat recipe is a great way to save money and still enjoy the same great taste!

It's super simple to make: just blend 4 simple ingredients and enjoy.

I'm sure you remember Orange Julius. It was in alllll the malls in the 90s and was super popular. It's still around, but a bit less ubiquitous, and is often in Dairy Queen outlets.

Where I live, we don't even have an Orange Julius at the mall anymore (gasp!).

So, I set out to recreate my own version of their famous drink. I tested a few different combinations, then hit on the exact copycat with this recipe!

I hope you'll love it as much as we do.

It takes me right back to hanging out at the mall with my friends in the 90s, sampling Body Shop vanilla perfume, reading our horoscopes in those little scrolls, and of course, grabbing a refreshing, creamy Orange Julius!

If you love copycat recipes of your favorite restaurant classics (like I do!), then be sure to check out Honey Walnut Cream Cheese (Panera copycat), Arby's Horsey Sauce, Chipotle Southwest Sauce (Subway copycat), or Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Serving Suggestions
  • More Drink Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • A copycat Orange Julius is an easy and delicious way to get your daily dose of vitamin C.
  • You only need 4 ingredients and 3 minutes!
  • It's a refreshingly sweet, creamy, frothy, and citrusy treat.
  • This copycat recipe is quick and easy to make.
  • It's a great way to cool down on a hot summer day.
  • This is a fun drink to make with the kids.
  • It's a great pick-me-up for an afternoon slump.

Ingredients

You only need simple pantry ingredients for this recipe!

  • Frozen orange juice concentrate - the usual canned frozen OJ. I use Minute Maid. You'll need it to be partially thawed (leave it on the countertop for 15 minutes). No need to add any water.
  • Milk - I use whole milk to keep the Orange Julius nice and creamy. If you want it lighter, 2% will work too, but won't be quite so creamy.
  • Instant Vanilla Pudding powder - this makes it sweet, creamy, and rich!
  • Ice - to keep your drink thick and cold.

See the recipe card for quantities and method.

Instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions, then scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.

It is SO EASY to make your own homemade copycat Orange Julius. It's easier than going to the mall!

Ingredients in a blender.
  1. Add all ingredients to a blender.
Blended orange julius drink.

2. Process until smooth and frothy.

3. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Wooden table with a glass of orange julius, with a straw and slices of orange.

Scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.

Serving Suggestions

For the full 1990s mall rat experience, serve up your Orange Julius with some copycat recipes of mall food court classics!

  • Mrs. Fields Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
  • Wetzel's Pretzels Soft Pretzels
  • Cinnabon
  • Sbarro's Baked Ziti
  • Panda Express Orange Chicken
  • DIY Dippin Dots
  • Auntie Anne's Pretzels
  • Baskin Robbin's Ice Cream Cake
  • Hot Dog on a Stick
  • Dairy Queen Blizzard

More Drink Recipes

We hope you love this Orange Julius recipe! Be sure to also check out these other tasty drink recipes too.

  • Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks copycat)
  • Peach Iced Tea
  • Mint Lemonade
  • Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Be sure to subscribe to my free Newsletter and follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for more tasty recipes!

📖 Recipe

Table with two glasses of Orange Julius with straws and orange slice garnishes.

Orange Julius Copycat

Make this copycat Orange Julius in minutes with just 4 ingredients! It tastes just like the real thing: tangy, sweet, creamy, and frothy.
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: arby's horsey sauce copycat recipe, Orange Julius
Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 227kcal
Author: Kate | You Say Potatoes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

  • blender

Ingredients

  • 6 ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate partially thawed (no water added)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup ice
  • 1 tablespoon instant vanilla pudding mix powder

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender.
  • Process until smooth and frothy.
  • Serve and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Head down to the comments and give it a star rating!

Nutrition

Calories: 227kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 719mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 520IU | Vitamin C: 123mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 0.3mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

More Drink Recipes

  • A glass of Starbucks copycat Pistachio Frappuccino topped with whipped cream and chopped pistachios.
    Pistachio Frappuccino
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    Caramel Frappuccino
  • Glass of iced tea with peaches.
    Peach Iced Tea
  • A glass of mint lemonade.
    Mint Lemonade

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kushigalu

    February 03, 2023 at 12:56 pm

    5 stars
    Love how simple and delicious this recipe is. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  2. Dana

    February 03, 2023 at 3:20 pm

    5 stars
    This brings me right back to the high school days when we'd hit up the mall and each get an Orange Julius! So good. What a great recipe to have at home!

    Reply
  3. Stephanie

    February 06, 2023 at 1:20 pm

    5 stars
    I haven't been to the mall in a few years, but the last time I went, we still had an Orange Julius. But it cost a small fortune! I was super excited to try this because I really loved them, but also like to pay the light bill lol. They were PERFECT! THe vanilla pudding is the best secret ingredient. Now I'm going to have to use up the rest of the pudding and make another batch of Orange Julius!

    Reply
  4. Liz

    February 06, 2023 at 1:58 pm

    5 stars
    OH WOW - This orange julius hit the spot! Just like I used to get at the mall. Now I need to make a cinnabon to go with it for alllll the nostalgia.

    Reply
  5. Traci

    February 07, 2023 at 2:30 pm

    5 stars
    Easy, fun, and delicious. The kids really loved them! No need for the Mall!

    Reply

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Kate cooking.

Hi, I'm Kate! You Say Potatoes, I say, well, potatoes. I'm a cookbook author and journalist from the Pacific Northwest. Here you'll find easy, budget-friendly recipes made from scratch.

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