Description
Orange Julius smoothie delivers a creamy blast of nostalgia from classic mall beverage memories. Cold, frothy blends of fresh orange juice and vanilla create quick refreshment for summer sippers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large oranges (peeled and segmented)
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) Greek yogurt (optional, for extra creaminess)
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1 cup (240 g / 8 oz) ice cubes
- ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) orange juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp (5 ml / 0.17 fl oz) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all ingredients and chill blender components for maximum smoothness and optimal flavor fusion.
- Liquid Base: Combine orange juice and milk in the blender, creating a foundational liquid that will support the smoothie’s consistency.
- Flavor Layering: Add orange segments, honey, vanilla extract, and Greek yogurt to build a complex, rich taste profile with complementary textures.
- Chilling Process: Introduce ice cubes to transform the mixture into a frosty, invigorating beverage with a refreshing temperament.
- Blending Technique: Secure the lid and pulse initially to fragment ice, then blend continuously on high for 45-60 seconds, pausing midway to scrape down blender walls and ensure comprehensive ingredient integration.
- Serving Presentation: Immediately transfer the silky-smooth mixture into chilled glasses, maintaining its vibrant temperature and velvety consistency.
- Finishing Touch: Optionally crown the smoothie with a delicate orange zest or petite citrus slice for an elegant, visually appealing garnish that hints at the drink’s essential flavor.
Notes
- Chill Ingredients Strategically: Ensure all components are cold to maintain the smoothie’s refreshing texture and prevent dilution from excess ice.
- Optimize Blending Technique: Start with pulsing to crush ice chunks, then blend continuously for smooth, consistent texture without over-processing.
- Enhance Protein Content: Swap Greek yogurt with plant-based alternatives like silken tofu or almond yogurt for vegan or lactose-free dietary needs.
- Balance Sweetness Naturally: Adjust honey levels or replace with stevia, agave, or ripe banana for controlled sugar intake and diverse flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Drinks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 156
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg