Dairy Free Orange Julius
This homemade Orange Julius has all of the orange flavour and frothy consistency as one of my childhood favourite drinks, but without the dairy or refined sugar! It can be made in just 5 minutes and is so refreshing, it’s the perfect sweet treat for a hot summer day.
Orange Julius reminds me of being 16 years old and hanging out at one of the local shopping malls with my friends. When we wanted something “healthy” we would go to the mall food court and get an orange julius. It is only many years later that I’ve realized that orange julius drinks are actually packed with added sugar, vanilla ice cream, synthetic creamer, orange juice and egg white powder…..yuck! A lot of orange julius copycat smoothies online use egg whites as a secret ingredient to get the drink very frothy, but I wanted to try to create a version of the popular drink without using raw eggs. This homemade orange julius recipe is a healthier version using simple ingredients that result in the same frothy consistency and orange flavour, without any of the bad stuff
Why You Will Love This Orange Julius
- The consistency: it’s so light and frothy yet also has a delicious creamy texture! It’s lighter than a smoothie, but more foamy than a juice.
- The orange flavour with a hint of vanilla: While the star of the show is definitely the vibrant orange taste, adding a teaspoon vanilla extract is what gives it that more dessert like orange creamsicle flavour.
- This tastes just like the real thing, but is so much better for you! It’s packed with vitamin c too! This Vegan Orange Julius is also Paleo, Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free and Specific Carbohydrate Diet Legal.
- This easy orange julius recipe takes just minutes to make: throw the handful of ingredients into the blender and blend! This easy recipe takes no more than 5 minutes to make!
- It’s such a refreshing treat: this has quickly become my go to summer drink. I like to keep a batch of it in the fridge and enjoy it over a few days. To take this from afternoon to evening stir in a shot of rum.
- This copycat recipe will quickly become a delicious treat that your whole family will love. My kids request that I make them this creamy drink at least once a week.
Ingredients You Need To Make This Orange Julius
- Oranges: fresh oranges are blended in the smoothie to give the drink that chunky orange flavor and consistency.
- Coconut Milk: Coconut milk adds a richness that you won’t get using skim milk or another dairy-free milk such as almond milk. If you do not have coconut milk and can drink cows milk I recommend using whole milk.
- Orange juice: I prefer using fresh orange juice rather than orange juice concentrate which usually contains added sugars
- Honey: honey is used in place sugar to contrast the acidic orange juice and help to sweeten the fresh orange smoothie. Feel free to swap the honey for another sweetener such as maple syrup or agave
- Vanilla Extract: vanilla extract is the secret ingredient that takes this from a boring orange smoothie to an orange julius smoothie.
- Salt: a pinch of salt brings out the orange flavor even more.
- Ice Cubes
You can find a full list of ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
How To Make This Orange Julius
- Place the oranges on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to remove the peels.
- In a high-speed blender combine the whole oranges plus the coconut milk, orange juice, honey, vanilla extract, salt and ice cubes and blend into a chunky slush consistency.
- Pour into four glasses and serve with an optional orange slice.
Is This Orange Julius Vegan?
This copycat orange julius recipe can be made vegan by swapping the honey for maple syrup or agave. Alternatively use 2 dates which have been soaked in boiling water for 10 minutes. Don’t skip soaking the dates, the helps them to break down when blended, otherwise the drink will have brown clumps!
Tips For Making This Orange Julius
- Coconut allergy? You can swap the coconut milk for cashew milk, or for a dairy option use whole milk for a creamy consistency.
- Use any kind of orange for this creamy orange drink: clementines, tangerines, mandarines or navel…they all work well!
- Blend blend blend: If you have leftover Orange Julius in the fridge for a few days it may lose its frothy consistency. Put it in the blender with a handful of ice and blend for a few seconds before serving.
- Try other fruits: there are so many fun ways to switch up the flavors by adding in 2 cups of pineapple, strawberries or raspberries for a fun spin on the original drink.
What About Leftovers
This Orange Julius drink is best enjoyed right after making, otherwise keep it in the fridge to stay cold. As the drink sits and comes to room temperature, the ice melts and it becomes a little bit watery. I recommend adding in a few more ice cubes and blending if this happens to achieve a thicker consistency. Leftovers will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also store leftover orange julius in the freezer and add the frozen block to a blender along with a splash of milk (coconut or whole) or orange juice to help it blend into a smooth texture. Another great way to use up leftovers is to pour them into a popsicle mold to make a delicious
Here are a few more drink recipes and frozen treats that you will enjoy…
- Creamy Coffee & Banana Smoothie
- Green Super Spinach Smoothie
- Spicy Mango Popsicles
- Caramelized Peaches & Cream Popsicles
- Coffee Granita
If you make this recipe let me know in the comment section below, I would love to hear what you think or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram, I love seeing your photos!
Dairy Free Orange Julius
Ingredients
- 2 medium sized orange peel removed
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 2/3 cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- Combine everything in a blender and blend into a chunky slush consistency.
- Pour into four glasses and serve with an optional orange slice.
Nutrition
This post was published on July 12, 2020, it was updated with new copy on June 14, 2024.
Good, however, even with our immersion blender, lots of orange chunks. I do appreciate that it uses real fruit vs concentrate.
This is delicious! It is my new favorite refreshing drink!
I just found this recipe and want to try it.. I’m confused by your ingredient list – Is it 2 whole oranges with the peel removed plus 2/3 cup juice from another orange, or bottled juice?
I have used this recipe mulitple times. It is delicious!!! The ingredient list is correct. 2 whole peeled oranges plus 2/3 cup of orange juice – you can squeeze it or use some from the store. I use fresh squeezed from Trader Joes. And canned cream of coconut from TJ’s as well.
My 5 year old asks for this daily! No complaints from me as it’s quick to make and healthy!
I used to love these. Still do but you are right, the ingredients in the original are terrible. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I am going to try it. Can you tell me if this canned coconut milk or coconut milk in the larger carton?
I hope this healthier version matches up to the original! I use canned coconut milk for this which half a much thicker consistency.
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to try! Is the coconut milk the canned culinary kind or the rest to drink refrigerated kind?
I recommend using canned coconut milk as its thicker and more closely resembles dairy.