Description
Creamy Orange Julius smoothie brings sunshine to your glass with classic diner-inspired nostalgia. Blended citrus and vanilla create a refreshing dream that cools and delights you in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits:
- 2 large oranges, peeled and segmented
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) orange juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
Dairy and Sweeteners:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- ½ cup (120 grams) Greek yogurt (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
Other Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 grams) ice cubes
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Gather all fresh ingredients, ensuring they are chilled for optimal smoothness.
- Pour the orange juice and milk into the blender, creating a liquid foundation for the smoothie.
- Carefully add freshly squeezed orange segments, allowing their natural sweetness to enhance the blend.
- Drizzle honey into the mixture, providing a smooth, natural sweetening element.
- Include a splash of vanilla extract to elevate the flavor profile with its aromatic essence.
- Incorporate Greek yogurt for a luxurious, creamy consistency and added protein boost.
- Top the ingredients with a generous handful of ice cubes to create a frosty, refreshing texture.
- Secure the blender lid tightly and pulse initially to break down larger ice chunks.
- Blend on high speed for 30-45 seconds until the mixture becomes uniformly smooth and frothy.
- Pause and scrape down the sides if any ingredients cling to the blender walls.
- Resume blending for an additional 15 seconds to ensure complete integration of all components.
- Pour the smoothie immediately into chilled glasses to maintain its optimal temperature and texture.
- Optional: Garnish with a small orange slice or light sprinkle of zest for a decorative touch.
Notes
- Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version that keeps the creamy consistency.
- Freeze orange segments beforehand to create an ultra-thick, frosty smoothie without diluting flavor with too much ice.
- Add a small handful of spinach for a nutrient boost without compromising the bright citrus taste – kids won’t even notice the hidden greens.
- For a protein punch, include a scoop of vanilla protein powder to transform this drink into a post-workout recovery beverage.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Drinks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 5mg