If you remember sipping on a creamy, dreamy Orange Julius at the mall Dairy Queen, this homemade version is going to make your day. This nostalgic drink is icy cold, citrusy-sweet, and super smooth-perfect for warm afternoons or weekend treats.
I’ve been making this Dairy Queen Orange Julius recipe at home, and honestly, it tastes just like the real thing-maybe even better! It’s quick, easy, and blends up in just minutes. Bonus? It makes a ton, so it’s perfect for sharing (or saving for later).
We’re using simple ingredients: orange juice, milk, vanilla, and ice-all blended until frothy and irresistible. So, grab your blender and get ready for a sweet citrus throwback!
What Does Dairy Queen Orange Julius Taste Like?
This drink is creamy, smooth, and full of bright orange flavor. The orange juice gives it that classic tang, while the milk and vanilla smooth it out into a velvety treat. It’s sweet, frothy, and cold-just what you want on a sunny afternoon.
If you remember Flintstone Push Pops, this has a very similar vibe. It’s almost like sipping a melted orange creamsicle, only way more refreshing and with a light foam on top.
The texture is what sets it apart. It’s not icy like a slushie, and not thick like a milkshake-just perfectly in between. One sip, and you’ll be transported right back to the food court days!
Ingredients Required for Dairy Queen Orange Julius Recipe
Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Dairy Queen Orange Julius
- 2 cups orange juice concentrate (from a frozen can, thawed)
- 2 cups cold milk
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 cups ice cubes
Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need
- High-speed blender (like a Kasori or Vitamix)
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Tall glasses for serving
- Ziploc bags (for storing extra)
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Blending time: 2 minutes
Yield: About 5–6 cups (serves 4–6)
Copycat Orange Julius Dairy Queen Recipe
Simply follow the steps given below to make your Dairy Queen Orange Julius at home
Step 1: Pour in the Base Ingredients
Start by adding 2 cups of thawed orange juice concentrate into your blender. Then, pour in 2 cups of cold milk and 2 cups of cold water. These three together create that creamy, citrusy base we all know and love.
Step 2: Sweeten the Mix
Add ½ cup of sugar to the blender. It might seem like a lot, but it’s what gives the drink that signature sweet flavor. Next, add just under 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. Homemade or store-bought-it’s what gives it that soft, dreamy finish.
Step 3: Toss in the Ice
Now, add 2 cups of ice cubes to the blender. The ice helps chill the drink instantly while giving it that thick, frothy texture. Don’t skip it-this is what makes it feel like the real Orange Julius!
Step 4: Blend Until Smooth
Secure the lid tightly and blend on high speed for about 1 to 2 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the mixture turns pale, smooth, and a little foamy on top.
Step 5: Taste and Adjust
Take a quick sip. If you prefer it thinner, add a bit more water. Want a more intense orange flavor? A little more juice will do the trick.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Pour into tall glasses and serve immediately. It’s smooth, sweet, cold-and incredibly nostalgic!
Check some other recipes from Dairy Queen from below
Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Dairy Queen Orange Julius
1. With a Big Stack of Pancakes
Trust us-there’s something magical about sipping Orange Julius alongside warm, fluffy pancakes. The citrusy tang cuts through the buttery richness and gives your breakfast a bright, fresh pop.
2. Paired with a Warm Cookie
We tried this with a gooey chocolate chip cookie straight from the oven… oh my goodness. The creamy citrus drink + melty chocolate combo? Totally dreamy.
3. As a Midday Refreshment with a Sandwich
We often make this when we’re having a light lunch-like a turkey or chicken sandwich. It’s refreshing, satisfying, and kind of makes lunch feel like a treat.
4. With a Side of Fresh Berries
On a hot day, we’ll pour a tall glass of this Orange Julius and serve it with a bowl of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. It’s like a fruit explosion in the best way.
5. Poured Over Vanilla Ice Cream
One word: float. You haven’t lived until you’ve made an Orange Julius float. The creamy orange flavor blends beautifully with vanilla ice cream-total childhood vibes.
6. With Waffles or French Toast
The frothy citrus flavor pairs perfectly with syrupy waffles or cinnamon-dusted French toast. It makes brunch feel like something special, even on a weekday.
7. With a Slice of Pizza (Yes, Really!)
Okay, hear us out-after a hot, cheesy slice of pizza, sipping something icy and tangy is weirdly refreshing. It balances the richness and feels like a reset for your palate.
8. As a Poolside Sipper
We always make a big batch of this and keep it chilled for pool days. Pour it into insulated tumblers with a straw and you’ve got the ultimate cool-down drink.
9. Alongside Lemon Bars or Cheesecake
The sweet-and-tangy combo of citrus drinks and creamy desserts is unbeatable. We had it with lemon bars last weekend and wow-it was the perfect balance.
10. Frozen into Popsicles
Leftovers? Pour the mix into molds and freeze. We’ve done this a few times, and the kids (and okay, we) absolutely love grabbing one on a hot day. It’s like a creamsicle, only better.
Some Tips on This Dairy Queen Orange Julius Recipe
1. Use cold milk and water.
Cold drinks taste better! Cold milk and water make your Orange Julius nice and chilly.
2. Let the orange juice thaw.
Don’t use frozen orange juice right from the freezer. Let it sit for a little so it’s easy to pour and mix.
3. Add ice last.
Put the ice in after the other stuff. That helps the blender mix everything really smooth.
4. Don’t forget the sugar!
It makes the drink sweet and yummy-just like the one at Dairy Queen.
5. Use real vanilla.
Vanilla makes it taste creamy and soft. You can use homemade or store-bought.
6. Blend it really well.
Blend until there are no ice chunks. It should look smooth and a little foamy on top!
7. Taste before serving.
Take a little sip. Want it sweeter? Add sugar. Want more orange? Add a splash of juice.
8. Make extra and freeze it.
Got extra? Pour it into a bag and freeze it. Later, blend it again with some water!
9. Use a big blender.
This recipe makes a lot, so make sure your blender is big enough to hold everything.
10. Serve right away!
It’s best when it’s super cold and fresh. Pour into cups and drink it up!
How to Store Dairy Queen Orange Julius Properly?
Pour any leftovers into Ziploc bags and freeze flat. To serve again, blend with a little water until smooth. It’s just as delicious the second time around-and icy cold!
Dairy Queen Orange Julius Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups orange juice concentrate from a frozen can, thawed
- 2 cups cold milk
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract homemade or store-bought
- 2 cups ice cubes
Instructions
- Start by adding 2 cups of thawed orange juice concentrate into your blender. Then, pour in 2 cups of cold milk and 2 cups of cold water. These three together create that creamy, citrusy base we all know and love.
- Add ½ cup of sugar to the blender. It might seem like a lot, but it’s what gives the drink that signature sweet flavor. Next, add just under 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. Homemade or store-bought-it’s what gives it that soft, dreamy finish.
- Now, add 2 cups of ice cubes to the blender. The ice helps chill the drink instantly while giving it that thick, frothy texture. Don’t skip it-this is what makes it feel like the real Orange Julius!
- Secure the lid tightly and blend on high speed for about 1 to 2 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the mixture turns pale, smooth, and a little foamy on top.
- Take a quick sip. If you prefer it thinner, add a bit more water. Want a more intense orange flavor? A little more juice will do the trick.
- Pour into tall glasses and serve immediately. It’s smooth, sweet, cold-and incredibly nostalgic!
Video
Notes
Common Queries on This Dairy Queen Orange Julius Recipe
Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Dairy Queen Orange Julius that people often ask.
1. What are the ingredients in a Dairy Queen Orange Julius?
From our homemade version, the ingredients are super simple: frozen orange juice concentrate, milk, water, sugar, vanilla extract, and ice. That’s really all you need to recreate that classic, frothy texture and citrusy-sweet flavor we all love.
2. What is the secret ingredient in Orange Julius?
We’ve tried making this several ways, and we can tell you-vanilla extract is the secret! It gives that signature creamsicle flavor that turns a regular orange drink into a creamy, nostalgic treat. Don’t skip it. Homemade vanilla makes it even better.
3. What was in an original Orange Julius?
The original recipe from the 1920s was actually quite similar: orange juice, milk, sugar, vanilla, and ice. Some versions also included egg whites for the frothy texture, but we skip the egg and use ice and high-speed blending instead-it works just as well!
4. Did DQ discontinue Orange Julius?
Yes and no. Some Dairy Queen locations no longer carry Orange Julius, especially the ones that don’t have a “DQ/Orange Julius” co-branded setup. That’s why we started making it at home-it’s way too good to give up on completely!
5. Can I use fresh orange juice instead of concentrate?
We tested both ways, and honestly, the frozen concentrate works better. It’s more flavorful and creates that nostalgic taste. Fresh juice is nice, but it just doesn’t have the same punch or sweetness that makes an Orange Julius, well, an Orange Julius.
6. Is this drink more like a smoothie or a milkshake?
Great question-we’d say it’s somewhere in between. It’s not thick like a milkshake, and not icy like a smoothie. It’s frothy, creamy, and smooth, kind of like sipping a melted orange creamsicle with a light foam on top. So good.
7. How do you store leftovers?
We pour the extra Orange Julius into Ziploc bags, freeze them flat, and then just blend them with a little water whenever we want a fresh glass. It saves perfectly and blends up just like new-cold, creamy, and delicious.
8. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! We’ve made it with almond milk and coconut milk before. It changes the flavor a bit, but it’s still creamy and satisfying. Just make sure your milk alternative is unsweetened, so you can control the sweetness with sugar.
9. How sweet is this Dairy Queen Orange Julius Recipe?
It’s definitely on the sweeter side-just like the original. We use ½ cup of sugar, but you can absolutely scale it down if you prefer less sweetness. The orange concentrate and vanilla already bring a good amount of flavor.
10. How many servings does this make?
This recipe makes a lot-about 5 to 6 full servings. You can easily serve a small crowd or save the rest for later. We always recommend making the full batch because everyone ends up going back for seconds!
This homemade Dairy Queen Orange Julius recipe is a total winner. It’s quick, refreshing, and filled with nostalgic vibes. You can easily whip up a big batch and store some for later-just like I do!
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Thanks for the delicious recipe
Welcome Joana
Deliciously simple
Surely it is