The Dairy Queen Orange Julius is a nostalgic classic that blends creamy sweetness and citrus into one instantly recognizable drink.
Photo by Mark
Copycat Dairy Queen Orange Julius
The Dairy Queen Orange Julius is a smooth, frothy beverage made with orange flavor and a creamy base that tastes both refreshing and indulgent. It’s light, sweet, and unmistakably familiar.
This recipe is all about texture and balance. Blending until fully smooth and lightly foamy is what recreates that iconic Orange Julius consistency people remember.
Quick Recipe Overview
- Best For: Summer treats, quick desserts, nostalgic favorites, kid-friendly drinks
- Flavor Profile: Sweet citrus with a creamy vanilla finish
- Skill Level: Beginner friendly
- What Makes It Like the Restaurant: The signature frothy texture and balanced orange-vanilla flavor
Dairy Queen
Orange Julius began as a standalone brand long before becoming associated with Dairy Queen. Known for its fruit-based drinks with a creamy twist, Orange Julius built a loyal following in malls and food courts across the country.
After being acquired by Dairy Queen, the drink became even more widely recognized, often served alongside ice cream treats. Its lasting appeal comes from simplicity, consistency, and a flavor profile that feels both refreshing and comforting.
The Drink Everyone Remembers
Creamy citrus drinks like the Orange Julius occupy a unique space between smoothie and dessert. They’re lighter than milkshakes but richer than juice, which makes them appealing across age groups.
This style became especially popular in American malls and quick-service counters, where speed and familiarity mattered. That balance of refreshment and indulgence is exactly why the Orange Julius remains a go-to copycat favorite.
Dairy Queen Orange Julius Recipe
Make our Dairy Queen Orange Julius Recipe at home tonight for your family. With our Secret Restaurant Recipe your Orange Julius will taste just like DQ’s.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces of frozen Orange Juice Concentrate - 1/2 of a small 6 ounce can or 1/3 about 2 nice scoops of a 12 ounce can
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/8 cup Confectioners' Sugar
- 1/8 cup Granulated Sugar
Instructions
- Throw everything in to your mini blender.
- Fill with ice cubes. (If using a large blender, use about 1 - 1 1/2 cups ice)
- Blend well. You want it good and frothy.
- Pour and serve immediately.
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Questions People Ask
Is the Orange Julius a smoothie or a milkshake? It’s closer to a smoothie, but with a creamier, frothier texture than most fruit-based drinks.
Does this recipe use ice cream? No. The classic texture comes from blending, not ice cream.
Can I use fresh oranges? Yes. Fresh juice works well and adds brightness.
Is this drink very sweet? It’s mildly sweet and balanced by citrus, not overly sugary.
Can I make this dairy-free? Yes. Substituting plant-based milk changes the flavor slightly but still works.
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Photo of Homemade Orange Julius is by Mark. Yes, it was YUMMY! Photo of “Dairy Queen” is by Mike Mozart and is used by permission under the Attribution 2.0 Generic Creative Commons License. Read the Full License Here – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode.en. Thanks, Mike. Great Picture. Photos may be representative of the recipe and not the actual finished dish. All photo licenses listed were correct at the time of the posting of the page. Recipe is our adaption of several recipes formally widely-circulated on the internet – courtesy of the Wayback Machine. Additional Information is from original research done by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes and/or courtesy of Wikipedia and is used by permission.
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It takes 10 seconds and helps other nostalgic food fans rediscover a classic drink they still love.
July 15, 2013 @ 6:33 am
fill with ice cubes – that is too vague
July 16, 2013 @ 4:43 pm
@james juszczyk: Sorry, James.
Thank you. That is a good point.
The recipe was adapted to make in a mini-blender. The ones I have owned (I have a Magic Bullet set now) usually hold about 16 ounces.
If you put in what was called for in the recipe, it should be about 2/3 to 3/4 full.
Now, I have no way of knowing how big the cubes are that your ice maker or ice tray makes. But for me, I use an ice tray and I usually add about 4 to 5 cubes.
I just went in an experimented with my cubes, and I think if you are making this recipe in a regular blender, anything from 1/2 to 1 cup of ice would work.
I hope this helps.
Thanks for the comment.
Mark