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:

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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