This Orange Julius recipe is the kind of throwback drink that instantly feels like a mall food court treat, only now you can make it at home in about a minute. It’s cold, creamy, and bright, and it hits that “why don’t I make this more often?” spot fast.

A glass of orange smoothie with a metal straw and an orange slice garnish sits on a marble table, with two whole oranges in the background.

What Does An Orange Julius Have In It?

At its core, an Orange Julius is a blended drink built on a few basics: orange juice concentrate, dairy, sweetener, vanilla, and ice. The concentrate brings that classic orange punch, the dairy smooths it out, and the ice is what turns it into that frothy, almost slushy texture people remember.

A glass of orange smoothie garnished with a fresh orange slice and a metal straw, with two whole oranges in the background on a marble surface.

Your ingredient lineup works especially well because the whole milk keeps it creamy, and the heavy cream gives it a thicker, richer finish without needing anything complicated.

What Are The 4 Ingredients In Orange Julius?

When people say “four ingredients,” they’re usually talking about the simplest home version that still tastes like the real deal.

Frozen orange juice concentrate
Milk
Vanilla
Sugar

Ice often gets left out of the count, but it matters a lot for texture. Without ice, it’s more like a creamy orange drink than an Orange Julius.

Did The Original Orange Julius Have An Egg In It?

Some older versions did, usually using egg whites or egg white powder to create extra foam. That airy texture was part of the appeal, especially back when drink mixers were doing a lot of the heavy lifting.

You do not need egg to make a great one at home. If you blend long enough and use plenty of ice, you can still get a light, frothy top. If you want the “old school” style without using raw egg, egg white powder is the safer way to experiment.

A glass of creamy orange smoothie with ice, garnished with an orange slice and a metal straw, sits on a marble surface. Two whole oranges are in the background.

What Is The Powder Used In Orange Julius?

“The powder” can mean a few different things depending on who’s talking.

Some people mean egg white powder, which is mainly about foam. Others mean powdered sugar, because it dissolves fast and keeps the drink smooth. You’ll also see malted milk powder in certain copycat recipes, more for a classic shake-like twist than anything traditional.

If you are trying to nail that familiar Orange Julius vibe, vanilla plus the right balance of milk, cream, and ice usually gets you there without any extra powders.

Storage Instructions

Orange Julius is best right after blending, when it’s thick and frothy.

If you need to make it ahead anyway, here’s the practical way to do it:

Refrigerate up to 24 hours in a sealed container. It will separate, and that’s normal.
Shake hard or re-blend for 10 to 15 seconds to bring it back.
Add fresh ice if you want that just-blended texture again.

If you want a fun backup plan, pour leftovers into popsicle molds and freeze. It turns into a solid little throwback treat with zero extra work.

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