Orange Julius

The Orange Julius is a beloved American classic, a sweet and frothy beverage that blends orange juice concentrate with milk, vanilla, sugar, and ice. The secret ingredient, traditionally a touch of egg white powder or a raw egg, gives it its uniquely light and creamy texture. It's a nostalgic treat that's more substantial than juice but lighter than a traditional milkshake, perfect for all ages.
Orange Julius

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Orange Julius is a classic non-alcoholic blended drink, often categorized similarly to a smoothie. Its uniquely creamy and frothy texture distinguishes it from simple juices, placing it firmly in the blended beverage family.

Serving

This cold, non-alcoholic drink is best served in a large, chilled glass like a highball to accommodate its volume and frothy head. It's a substantial single serving, perfect for quenching thirst.
Serving size
Approximately 350-475 ml / 12-16 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball glass
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The drink was invented in 1926 by Julius Freed at his orange juice stand in Los Angeles. His friend, Bill Hamlin, developed a powder to make the acidic orange juice less bothersome to his stomach, which created the creamy, frothy result. Customers loved the new concoction and would order by saying, "Give me an Orange, Julius!", inadvertently coining the iconic name.
Origin
Los Angeles, California, USA, 1926.

Orange Julius

The drink is primarily known as the Orange Julius, its trademarked name. Some may refer to it descriptively as a creamy or frothy orange drink due to its signature texture and taste profile.
Original name
Orange Julius
Alternative names
  • Creamy Orange Drink
  • Frothy Orange Drink

Characteristics overview

The Orange Julius boasts a dominant sweet orange and vanilla flavor with a delightfully smooth, creamy, and frothy texture. Its pale orange color and fresh citrus aroma make it an appealing and refreshing drink for any time of year.
Flavor
Sweet, Citrusy, Creamy, Vanilla, Orange
Aroma
Fresh orange, Sweet vanilla
Taste balance
Sweet, Slightly tart
Aftertaste
Clean, Sweet, Creamy
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Opaque, Pale orange, Frothy head
Texture
Smooth, Creamy, Frothy, Light
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery, All-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

This drink is characterized by high levels of sweetness, fruitiness, and creaminess, with a touch of tartness from the citrus. It is non-alcoholic, non-carbonated, and has no salty, bitter, or spicy notes.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This recipe requires frozen orange juice concentrate, milk, water, sugar, vanilla extract, and ice. For the classic frothy texture, an optional but highly recommended pasteurized egg white is used.
  • Frozen orange juice concentrate180 milliliters / 6 fluid ounces
    Undiluted. This is key for the flavor intensity.
  • Milk240 milliliters / 8 fluid ounces
    Whole milk provides the creamiest result, but 2% also works well.
  • Water240 milliliters / 8 fluid ounces
    Cold water is preferred.
  • Granulated sugar50 grams / 1/4 cup
    Can be adjusted to taste.
  • Vanilla extract5 milliliters / 1 teaspoon
    Adds a crucial layer of creamy flavor.
  • Ice cubes1.5 to 2 cups
    Use more for a thicker, frostier drink.
  • Pasteurized egg white1 large(optional)
    The secret to the classic frothy texture. Can substitute with 1 tablespoon of meringue powder.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

The only equipment needed to make an Orange Julius is a blender that is powerful enough to effectively crush ice and create a smooth texture.
  • Blender for combining and frothing all ingredients.

Instructions

Simply combine the orange juice concentrate, milk, water, sugar, vanilla, and optional egg white in a blender with ice. Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and frothy, then pour into a glass and serve immediately.
1. Gather all your ingredients and have your blender ready.
2. Place the frozen orange juice concentrate, milk, water, sugar, vanilla extract, and optional egg white into the blender pitcher.
3. Add the ice cubes on top of the liquid ingredients.
4. Secure the lid and blend on high speed for 30 to 60 seconds, until the mixture is completely smooth and frothy with no ice chunks remaining.
5. Pour the blended drink immediately into a chilled tall glass.
6. Garnish with a fresh orange slice on the rim of the glass, if desired.
7. Serve with a straw and enjoy right away while it's cold and frothy.

Garnishing

A simple garnish of a fresh orange slice or wedge placed on the rim of the glass adds a nice visual touch and enhances the orange aroma.
  • Orange slice or wedge on the rim of the glass.

Dietary Information

This drink is vegetarian, gluten-free, and caffeine-free, but it contains milk and egg, making it unsuitable for vegans or those with dairy or egg allergies. Dairy-free and vegan versions can be made with substitutions.
✕ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✕ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A single serving of Orange Julius is quite high in sugar and carbohydrates, providing a significant calorie count, primarily from the juice concentrate and added sugar.
Calories
Averagely 300-400 kcal / 1255-1674 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 60-75 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 60-70 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

Perfect for a quick breakfast, a weekend brunch, or as a refreshing afternoon snack on a hot day. Its non-alcoholic nature makes it a great choice for family-friendly gatherings and parties.
  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Afternoon snack
  • Hot day refreshment
  • Family gathering

Pairing suggestions

This sweet and creamy drink pairs wonderfully with classic American breakfast and brunch items like pastries, bacon, and eggs. Its sweetness also provides a pleasant contrast to salty snacks like pretzels or popcorn, making it a versatile treat.
  • Breakfast pastries like croissants or muffins
  • Salty breakfast meats like bacon or sausage
  • Light sandwiches
  • Salty snacks like pretzels or popcorn

Orange Julius: The Classic Creamy Orange Froth

The Orange Julius is a nostalgic, non-alcoholic blended beverage that captures the flavor of a Creamsicle in a glass. Its signature frothy texture, traditionally achieved with a touch of egg white, sets it apart from typical smoothies. Originating in 1920s Los Angeles, it became a shopping mall staple and remains a beloved treat for all ages. Easy to make at home, it's a perfect refreshing drink for a hot day or a sweet breakfast indulgence.