Orange Julius

If you're of a certain age, you know it, you loved it, and you miss it. Yes, you can still get them at Dairy Queens, but on the West Coast, DQs are few and far between. This is the frothy orange drink that we loved as kids, and BONUS, I'm including some boozey alternatives.

Annotated Cooking Notes: This was quick and easy, and the best thing is that it all happens in one blender, so that makes for an easy cleanup, which is essential to me. The one drawback is that Xanthan gum is expensive, and I'm not sure what it brings to the party. It's a stabilizer, which prevents the icee drink from becoming too watery too quickly. So I guess if you're drinking this straight away, you could do without, but the drink will be a little less dense.

Ingredients

Original Orange Julius

400 ml orange juice (~10.5 oz)

100 ml 2% milk (~3.4 oz)

70 g granulated sugar

25 g liquid egg whites (~1 oz)

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp xanthan gum

200 g ice (~1 ¾ cups)

Dirty Orange Julius

288 ml orange juice (~9.7 oz)

93 ml 2% milk (~3.1 oz)

58 g granulated sugar

25 g liquid egg whites

111 ml white rum (~3.75 oz)

37 ml orange curaçao (~1.25 oz)

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp xanthan gum

225 g ice

Tropical Strawberry Orange Julius

210 ml orange juice (~7.1 oz)

93 ml 2% milk (~3.1 oz)

43 g granulated sugar

30 ml passion fruit syrup (~1 oz)

23 g liquid egg whites

111 ml white rum (~3.75 oz)

37 ml orange curaçao (~1.25 oz)

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp xanthan gum

150 g frozen strawberries

100 g ice

Prepare your blender.

Add orange juice, milk, sugar, egg whites, vanilla, and xanthan gum (if using).

For variations, add syrups or liqueurs before the ice.

Add ice (and frozen fruit if applicable).

Ice should go in last to avoid over-chopping early.

Blend on high for 20–30 seconds, or until the mixture is thick, creamy, and smooth.

The texture should be frothy and slightly airy—similar to a milkshake.

Taste and adjust.

Add more sugar for sweetness, milk for creaminess, or juice for tartness.

Serve immediately.

Pour into chilled glasses and enjoy right away while cold and foamy.