Refreshing Orange Smoothie (Orange Julius)
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Start your morning with a creamy and refreshing Orange creamsicle smoothie! Learn how to make this healthy copycat Orange Julius recipe at home with just a few simple ingredients.
There is nothing better than starting your day with a fresh orange smoothie.
This delicious recipe is a healthy take on Orange Julius because it uses fresh fruits instead of orange juice concentrate, which means it is not loaded with sugar. This orange banana smoothie is perfect for hot summer days or at the onset of flu season because it is a good source of vitamin C.
What is an Orange Julius?
In the 1920s, a creamy drink called the Orange Julius was created at an orange juice stand in Los Angeles, CA. This lush beverage made with ice, orange juice, milk, egg white powder, sweeteners, and vanilla later became the official drink of the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
The Orange Julius company eventually merged with Dairy Queen, where you can still find the creamy dessert drink at some select locations.
What we love about this recipe
- It tastes like orange creamsicles – enjoy your favorite dessert flavor in a smoothie!
- It takes less than 10 minutes to make.
- This healthy version of an Orange Julius gives you all the delicious flavor without any added sugar.
- Boost your vitamin C intake during cold and flu season.
- Perfect for an energizing breakfast or after-school snack.
Why is this smoothie good for you?
While you might think snacking on this dreamy orange smoothie feels like an indulgence, there are a number of reasons why this healthy Orange Julius recipe is actually good for you.
- No added sugar
- High in immunity-boosting vitamin C and fiber thanks to the oranges
- Great source of potassium with the bananas
- Yogurt provides protein to keep you full
Ingredient notes/swaps
- Orange slices and a tiny bit of its zest for that signature orange flavor. You can use either navel oranges or clementines – make sure they are fresh and sweet.
- Frozen banana makes the smoothie creamy while also balancing the tartness of the oranges. For best results, use frozen bananas.
- Whole milk – For that dose of calcium. You can also use plant-based milk such as almond milk or oat milk.
- Plain Greek Yogurt makes the orange smoothie creamy and is also a good source of protein.
- Honey for a little sweetness to balance the tartness of Greek Yogurt
- Vanilla extract or essence gives the smoothie that delicious creamsicle flavor.
- Ice (optional) – add this if you are using a fresh banana instead of a frozen one.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below.
Directions
- Add all the ingredients to the blender, making sure to add liquids such as milk and yogurt first.
- Blend the mixture until smooth.
Recipe Notes
- While adding vanilla essence is optional for this orange smoothie, it is essential if you want that creamsicle flavor.
- Adding zest to this smoothie intensifies the citrus flavor in this recipe.
- If using frozen bananas, feel free to skip the ice.
Recommended Tools
The blender I recommend
This blender is not only great for smoothies but also makes fine purees and spice powders.
How to prep ahead
This delicious orange smoothie recipe can be prepped ahead by making freezer smoothie packs. Add all the fruits to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag and freeze them. Remove the smoothie packs from the freezer just before making the smoothie, add the rest of the ingredients, and blend.
Tips and Tricks
- For the best-tasting smoothie, use fresh oranges that taste sweet.
- Remove the white pith (stringy white stuff on the orange) – it is bitter and will impact the flavor of your smoothie.
- Adding ice cubes will give this smoothie a watery texture, so use frozen bananas instead.
- Use a high-powered blender such as Blendtec or Vitamix to ensure the frozen bananas are pureed properly without leaving any unsightly bits behind.
FAQs
Typically, the citric acid in oranges causes milk to curdle. To prevent that, make sure that the milk is cold.
Yes. Using a high-performance blender helps ensure the orange blends thoroughly without leaving too much pulp in the mixture.
The main difference between the two exists in the ingredients. Loaded with sugar and milk, an Orange Julius is more like a dessert than a smoothie. This orange smoothie, sweetened with honey and blended with yogurt and milk, gives you a healthier alternative with the same great flavor!
Yes. The Orange Julius beverage can still be purchased at some Dairy Queen locations or the few free-standing Orange Julius juice shops that still exist, but they are few and far between. The memory of this delicious drink lives on in delicious at-home recipes like this one.
When it comes to healthy smoothie recipes, few things beat the refreshing goodness of a fresh orange smoothie. It’s a great way to kickstart your day, especially during hot summer days, or to boost your immune system during flu season.
Give this recipe a try, and let me know what you think!
Orange Smoothie Recipe (Orange Julius)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 medium-sized navel oranges peeled and sliced
- 1 banana chopped and frozen
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup whole milk or plant-based milk of your choice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ teaspoon orange zest optional
Instructions
- Add milk to the blender followed by the rest of the ingredients.
- Blend until smooth.
Notes
- While adding vanilla essence is optional while making an orange smoothie, it is essential if you want that creamsicle flavor.
- Adding zest to this smoothie intensifies the citrus flavor in this recipe.
- If using frozen bananas, feel free to skip the ice.
Disclaimer: Approximate nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and can vary depending on the exact ingredients/brands used. If you have health issues, please work with a registered dietician or nutritionist.
Nutrition
Variations
- Leafy greens – You can add a cup of baby spinach to this smoothie. It won’t impact the taste, but the color will change.
- Fresh or frozen fruits – Fresh or frozen strawberries make a great addition to this smoothie. For a tropical twist, you can also use chopped mangoes and pineapples.
- Want to skip bananas? Use 1/2 an avocado instead for creaminess.
- For a vegan option – skip the Greek Yogurt and substitute it with 1/2 a banana. Replace regular milk with plant-based milk such as almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk.
- Make it an indulgent treat and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Other add-ins –
- Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder or
- Sprinkle chia seeds, flax seeds, or hemp seeds.
- To make it more filling, you can also add 1/4 cup of rolled oats and blend it with the rest of the ingredients.
Serving suggestions
Serve this orange creamsicle smoothie in mason jars or a tall glass topped with whipped cream or ice cream (for when you want an indulgent treat).
Leftover ideas
Pour the leftover smoothie into popsicle molds and freeze. Makes for a delicious frozen treat during summer.
How to store
Refrigerator: Smoothies taste best when freshly made. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to two days. Stir well before serving.
Freezer: You can freeze this creamy orange smoothie in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Other delicious smoothie recipes worth checking out
If you enjoy a cool and refreshing smoothie to start your day, here are a few of my favorite smoothies you should try.
Looking for a healthy drink? Try this papaya mango smoothie recipe! Packed with vitamins, it’s perfect any time of the day.
Need an energy boost? Try this orange mango smoothie – it is a refreshing treat that’ll tide you over till dinner.
Savor a delightful mango banana smoothie in less than 10 minutes! Try out this quick and easy recipe for a creamy, fruity treat.
Taste a green smoothie you’ll love! Savour every sip of this perfectly balanced, deliciously healthy recipe.
Elevate your day with our apple banana smoothie – it is a delicious blend of nature’s goodness packed with nutrients and taste!
Need more smoothie recipes? Check out this list of 10+ fruit smoothie recipes for when you need fresh ideas to keep your smoothie-drinking routine interesting.
This post was originally published on 01/24/2020 and was completely updated with pictures and new text on 9/13/2023.
