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Make an orange julius at home with just five simple ingredients! We’ve ditched the egg whites, which give it a frothy, creamier texture, to make one that’s just as good but is completely plant-based! Whip it up in just five minutes for a tasty treat that kids and adults love!
What’s an Orange Julius?
This drink stand has been around since the 1920’s. What started as a simple juice stand in California has grown into a chain of stores circling the globe. Its signature drink is a frozen orange juice that’s creamier than orange juice on its own.
The only downside, especially for vegans, is that this orange juice smoothie is made with egg whites. In addition, it’s highly processed these days, containing a range of unpronounceable ingredients.
This vegan orange julius recipe uses the original as inspiration to make an orange smoothie with all the creaminess and flavor of the original but uses simple ingredients and zero eggs.
For more smoothies, you might also enjoy a beet and banana smoothie or an orange creamsicle smoothie.
Why This Recipe Works
- You don’t have to leave the house to enjoy this tasty drink!
- A budget-friendly way to enjoy this refreshing orange beverage.
- Made with mostly wholesome ingredients for a less-processed drink than the original.
- Family-friendly frozen orange juice. Both kids and adults love an orange Julius smoothie.
- Make it thick or thin! You control how much ice you add to make it just the way you like it!
What Goes Into This Recipe
Making a homemade orange juice smoothie requires only FOUR ingredients! Here’s what you need:
- Orange juice concentrate: Use frozen orange juice concentrate for intense flavor! I usually grab the 12-ounce frozen tube and portion it out into two batches!
- Sugar: To sweeten this orange smoothie recipe. You can also use another sweetener if desired.
- Vanilla: Adds a rich flavor with notes of creaminess.
- Plant-based milk: Use vanilla flavored for a more intense vanilla flavor.
Variations
- Orange Berry: Add a handful of your favorite berries to the blender.
- Pineapple: Add pineapple before blending and use coconut milk to give it a more tropical flavor.
- Mango: Swap the orange juice concentrate for mango puree or go half and half of each!
How To Make an Orange Juice Smoothie
Two steps are all that’s needed to make yourself a tasty frozen orange drink!
- 1) Add the orange juice concentrate, sugar, vanilla, plant-based milk, and water to the blender.
- 2) Blend everything together. Then add an ice cube one at a time, continuing to blend until it’s thickened but smooth and creamy.
Expert Tips and FAQs
- For more vanilla flavor use vanilla-flavored plant milk!
- Adjust the thickness of your orange julius to your liking! All it takes is adding more or less ice!
- Make sure to use orange concentrate for the most intense orange flavor!
No, those sold in retail establishments have egg whites added to them which makes them non-vegan! However, this recipe is vegan which means you can enjoy it anytime on a plant-based diet!
More Vegan Smoothie Recipes
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Easy Orange Julius Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 ounces of orange juice concentrate
- ¼ cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 1 cup of vanilla plant-based milk
- 1 cup of water
- 12 ice cubes
Instructions
- Add everything to the blender, except the ice cubes.
- Blend together, and then add an ice cube at a time, continuing to blend.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For more vanilla flavor use vanilla-flavored plant milk!
- Adjust the thickness of your orange julius to your liking! All it takes is adding more or less ice!
- Make sure to use orange concentrate for the most intense orange flavor!
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
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I grew up on Los Angeles, CA before shopping centers. My mother used to shop in stores on a few main streets. A special treat from my childhood was getting an Orange Julius drink.
I have not made this drink. I will try it when the weather warms up.
Hope you enjoy it when you give it a go!
This is an interesting drink, never had one of these definitely want to try.
You’d love it! So sweet and delicious!
This orange julius smoothie is so easy and refreshing!
Agreed! So sweet and refreshing!
My Dad used to make us julius and we absolutely loved it!
Love this so much!
Turned out tasting like the real deal! Definitely a new favorite treat!
It’s the best kind of treat!
when you say orange juice concentrate are you referring to the small frozen packages or just a jug of juice “from concentrate.” I want to try this so bad but I want to get it right! thanks 🙂
Yummy! Turned out perfectly! So refreshing!
Right?! Such a creamy sweet treat!
This is just like I remember the old orange Julius. Delicious!
It’s so spot on!!
Is it possible to give a recipe 10 stars?? I used to have this drink all the time when I was young and thought I’d never be able to have it again. This veganized recipe is perfect and no egg whites. Yay! So fresh and sweet!
I used to love Orange Julius! This took me back to those days.
Tastes just like an orange julius! Yum!
So much nostalgia!
My Dad used to make us julius smoothies when I was a kid and we loved them!
Brings back so many good memories!
loved this smoothie! It was so refreshing. I had it just right after the gym, and it was ideal!
So glad you enjoyed it! Nothing like a post workout smoothie!
So creamy and delicious!