Grown Up Orange Julius

This Grown-Up Orange Julius is reminiscent of that favorite childhood treat, kicked up a notch with some vanilla vodka!

I remember, as a kid, my mom would get us an Orange Julius at the mall from time to time.   It was always a special treat for us.  As a mom myself, I began this same tradition when my kids were little.  Sometimes even using it as a bribe while I got my shopping done.  “If everyone is good, we can get an Orange Julius on the way out!” I have four kids, it’s warranted. 

Sometimes, when we have ice cream for an evening snack, we would add orange juice to our vanilla ice cream in the blender and make a mock-orange Julius.  But sometimes, mama needs a little more than a mocktail, mama needs a cocktail!

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What is an Orange Julius?

Back in the day, there was an Orange Julius in the food court of just about every mall I can remember.  This vanilla orange drink was iconic. 

It’s too thin to be considered a milkshake and too sweet to be called a smoothie. Think of it as a frothy dessert drink made from milk, vanilla, orange juice, and sugar, blended with ice.

I think Orange Julius was bought out by Dairy Queen at some point and they merged together.   Not sure if they have them in the malls anymore, because, like many people, I don’t go to the mall much anymore. Online shopping can be thought of as a blessing and a curse, right?

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Ingredients in an Orange Julius Cocktail

If you look at the ingredients list of the Dairy Queen Orange Julius, it’s full of a bunch of words that most likely add up to preservatives.  As I said, there are many Orange Julius recipes floating around, and for the most part, they are basically the same; Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate, Milk, Vanilla, Powdered Sugar and Ice.

But how do you make a Grown-Up Orange Julius?

To start, mix up some orange zest and sugar.  You’ll use this to rim your glass.

Sometimes I make this boozy Orange Julius in a martini glass and sometimes I do them in a pint glass over ice.  They are excellent either way, and the prep is pretty much the same.  

Mix your sugar and orange zest together on a plate, and dampen the rim of the glass with some orange juice before rolling it through the sugar.  Fill the glass with ice and set it aside. 

Add ice to a martini shaker and pour in orange juice, french vanilla creamer, milk, and vodka.  Shake it all together and pour it into your prepared glass.  

Drink it as is, or 

make it fancy with some whipped cream and a sprinkling of orange zest.  Add an orange slice to the rim and enjoy!

A tipsy Orange Julius in a pint glass or

or a Grown-Up Orange Julius Martini!

Fun Cocktail Recipes

So, besides this spiked Orange Julius, I have tons of other cocktails you are sure to enjoy!  Here are some of my favorites:

• Pink Squirrel Cocktail
• Frozen Vodka Slush
• White Russian Cocktail
• Dreamsicle Martini
• Pink Pussycat Martini
• Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martini
• Over 17 Jell-O Shot Flavors

Check out all of the fun barware I have in my storefront!

I hope that you get the chance to relax and enjoy one of these Grown-Up Orange Julius really soon!

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Print Recipe

Grown-Up Orange Julius

Grown-Up Orange Julius, is reminiscent of that favorite childhood treat, kicked up a notch with some vanilla vodka!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Cuisine: American

Keyword: adult Orange Julius, boozy orange Julius, Grown-Up Orange Julius, orange Julius martini, spiked orange Julius, tipsy orange Julius

Servings: 1

Calories: 411kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

• Pint Glass 16 Ounce | Set of 6
• Mason Jar With Cocktail Shaker Lid
• Cocktail Shaker,24 oz Martini Shaker, Stainless Steel Martini 
• Epure Milano Collection 4 Piece Stemmed Martini Glass Set 

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• ice
• 2 Tablespoons French vanilla coffee creamer
• 50 ml Vanilla Vodka Whipped Vodka would be good, too
• 2/3 cup orange juice
• 1/3 cup milk
• sugar and orange zest for rimming glasses
• whipped cream orange zest and orange slices for serving

Instructions

• Fill a large martini glass with ice to chill for about 5 minutes. (if using a pint glass skip this step)
• Pour about 1/4 cup sugar onto a plate. Zest about 1 teaspoon of orange on top of the sugar. With the back of a fork, rub the zest and sugar together.
• Dampen the edge of the glass (martini or pint glass) with orange juice. Tip the glass upside down into the sugar, and coat the rim. If using a pint glass fill it with ice. Set glass aside.
• In a martini shaker, with a handful of ice - add orange juice, french vanilla creamer, milk and vodka. Shake well.
• Pour into the chilled martini glass, (or over ice in a pint glass) add an orange slice, top with whipped cream and a little orange zest. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 67mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 43g

I originally posted this Grown-Up Orange Julius on March 20, 2015.  It was updated to improve user experience and re-shared on August 21, 2020.