Good Times & Recipe
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about Orange Julius (and, in fact, I was inspired to post by this). Long ago (it seems like eons), there was a tiny mall near where we lived with two little department stores (one, if you don’t count Sears, which I didn’t), a handful of stores and a cute little food court. This sounds like the beginning of a fairy tale, doesn’t it?? Anyway, this mall was a regular stop for us…non-stressful for my dad but still appealing to my sister’s obessive need to shop. My favorite stops were the Sanrio store with all its little girl Hello Kitty paraphenalia and the colorful, hipness of The Gap. And Orange Julius. I LOVED the frothy, fruity, slightly icy deliciousness of the Julius, and their burgers were delicious too.
Well somehow my mom came up with a comparable recipe–this was waaay before the Internet, and we have been using it ever since. My boys ask for Juliuses(?) and I still love the sweet frothy goodness. Typically I make orange, but we’ve had pineapple too, and last week I bought some frozen strawberries to make a Strawberry Julius. But then…I went onto their website and saw that they’ve come up with a whole range of new flavors…Mango Julius! Must try! So that’s next in the queue.
Basic Recipe for Orange Julius
6 oz. of a can of frozen concentrated orange juice
1 c. milk
1 c. water
1 t. vanilla
10 ice cubes
1/4 c. sugar (I don’t add the sugar any more…I think it’s plenty sweet without)
In blender, combine all ingredients, process for half a minute.
(I’ve also used concentrated pineapple juice. For the Strawbery Juliuses, I just plan on using frozen strawberries.)
Oh, Orange Julius, how I miss you… I miss the old Gap too. What’s with all the adorable clothes for kids and all the blacks, khakis and greys for adults? It’s as if they think we lose all personally when we grow out of the kids’ section. Not me! Bring back the color! And the Juliuses!
picture via
03/07/2011 at 4:44 pm
You have named the sole good thing about malls–Orange Julius. I haven't gone to one in ages.
03/07/2011 at 5:06 pm
I know of nothing concerning Orange Julius. Am I outta touch?
03/07/2011 at 8:47 pm
I remember seeing Orange Julius at the mall when I was a teenager, but I never did try it. Now I'm not sure whether to be glad I didn't (because I can't miss what I haven't had) or sad (because I missed out on what sounds like a great experience). Strawberry Juliuses do sound good, though, so now I'm kind of leaning toward the latter.
03/07/2011 at 9:05 pm
Mango? This might be something that even I can handle cooking. It counts as cooking as long as I'm in the kitchen right?
03/07/2011 at 9:13 pm
I didn't realize they had different flavors! I should try them out. They have Orange Julius + Dairy Queens together popping up all over the place now, and I'm secretly loving the comeback!
03/07/2011 at 10:23 pm
I've never seen an Orange Julius. It looks like a creamsicle in smoothie form. Is that about right?
03/07/2011 at 10:29 pm
Me either, Green Girl. Last time, believe it or not, was in Canada.
You so are, David. But you can make them at home…and soon the Little Charmer can have them too!
It's not too late, Caryn. They still have them in the midwest, and maybe, with the pair up with Dairy Queen, they might show up other places too. Or…you could make them at home.
Do you have a blender, Sarakastic. That's all it takes.
I just discovered the DQ/OJ combo, Meagan, and I'm hoping for one here!
03/07/2011 at 10:40 pm
Kinda, sorta, Stacy. But there's no ice cream.
I'll post my mom's recipe.
03/10/2011 at 8:25 pm
Holy cow – I LOVED Orange Julius as well – can't wait to try this home! Thanks!
03/11/2011 at 10:59 pm
Hope this brings a little bit of the Orange Julius experience back, Kathee!