Homemade Orange Julius

Before you start

The mall-stand Orange Julius is frothy, creamy and orange in a lighter way than a milkshake. Copycat versions all aim for the same thing: concentrated orange flavor, a little dairy for creaminess, vanilla and sugar for that creamsicle note, and lots of ice blended until foamy. The commercial recipe is not public, so this is an original home build, not the official formula.

Frozen orange juice concentrate is the key ingredient. It delivers bold flavor without the extra water of regular juice, so the ice can do the chilling while the drink still tastes strongly of orange. A long, high-speed blend whips air into the mixture to create the signature foam. Milk and orange juice concentrate together can curdle if left to stand, but blending them cold and drinking right away keeps the texture smooth.

Ingredients

• 180 ml (6 oz can) frozen orange juice concentrate — slightly softened
• 240 ml (1 cup) cold milk
• 240 ml (1 cup) cold water
• 50 g (¼ cup) sugar — to taste
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 10-12 ice cubes
• Optional orange slices — for garnish

Method

1. Let the can of orange juice concentrate sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes so it slides out easily.
2. Put the concentrate, milk, water, sugar and vanilla in the blender. Blend on medium for 10 seconds to dissolve the sugar.
3. Add the ice cubes on top of the liquid in the jar.
4. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds, until the ice is completely crushed and the mixture is light, pale orange and topped with a thick layer of foam.
5. Taste and add a little more sugar if desired, then blend 5 seconds more to restore the foam.
6. Pour into glasses right away and garnish with orange slices.

Tips for success

• Use very cold milk and water so the drink stays frothy; warm liquid makes thin foam that collapses quickly.
• Whole milk gives the creamiest foam, but low-fat milk froths well too.
• For a frothier texture, add 2 tbsp nonfat dry milk powder; it adds protein that stabilizes the bubbles.

Substitutions

Orange juice concentrate

Use 480 ml regular orange juice and leave out the water; the flavor will be lighter and the drink less frothy.

Milk

Oat or soy milk works well; almond milk makes a thinner drink with less foam.

Sugar

Honey or simple syrup blends in easily; start with 2 tbsp.

Variations

Strawberry Julius

Add 100 g frozen strawberries and reduce the ice by a few cubes.

Creamsicle shake

Replace the water and ice with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream and blend briefly.

Troubleshooting

Little or no foam

The blend was too short or the liquids too warm. Use cold ingredients and blend a full 30 to 45 seconds on high.

Curdled specks

The milk and orange sat together before blending, or the drink sat too long after. Blend and serve right away.

Tastes weak

Too much ice or water. Reduce the water to 120 ml for a stronger orange flavor.

Storage

Serve immediately while frothy; the foam collapses and the drink can separate within 10 minutes. Leftover concentrate can be refrozen in a sealed container.