Labor Day weekend – it seemed long this year! Number 2 was home with his “gf,” and I pulled out a few old favorites to teach them. I don’t think I’ve made Orange Julius since he was in grade school, but it sure impressed his friends when he had sleepovers.

Orange Julius Copycat

This recipe is so simple, so cheap, and so easy that it will blow you away. It tastes a LOT like the Orange Julius you get at the mall, although admittedly, I haven’t gotten one at the mall for ages.

I’m not much of a “mall” person – I can easily go years without stepping inside one. When Saturday rolls around, you’ll find me almost any place but a mall, likely trouncing around somewhere with Gibbie! Kraig tells me Orange Julius has now paired up with Dairy Queen, but I’ll still make my Orange Julius at home. In my PJs.

Orange Julius Copycat

By the way, don’t think you’ll health this up and make it with fresh orange juice – while you can freeze the juice and use it instead of ice and still get some slushiness, and it will still taste good, it will never have that intensity of flavor or creaminess as one from the frozen concentrate!

Variations of this recipe are practically endless. Use any kind of concentrate, any kind of milk (or maybe a juice).

Now I’m wondering about an “adult” version – less sugar, a little tequila, a touch of grenadine…hmmm. That’s another post, but in the meantime, enjoy these!

Saving Money on Groceries:

What you pay for groceries depends not only on WHERE you shop, but WHEN. Be strategic and stock up at rock-bottom prices.

• The best sales are before holidays; check out Win at the Grocers. Use these sales not just for your holiday, but to stock up at a low for the coming weeks to months.
• Take advantage of discount stores like Aldi or Lidl. The pricing at Buyer’s clubs is not always the lowest, but can trump in quality; be selective.

The best way to save money on this or any recipe is to have a well-stocked pantry, fridge, and freezer full of sale-priced items.

Frozen Concentrate:

Buy on sale; these days, jugs of store-brand OJ are sometimes a slightly better value. Unfortunately, there’s no good substitute for the concentrate in this recipe. The discount stores in my area don’t carry concentrate, and I’m unsure about buyers’ clubs.

Orange Julius Copycat – the glasses frosted from the icy drink immediately!!

Orange Julius

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You’ll never want to go to the mall, again! Make your Orange Julius at home.

• Author: mollie kirby
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 (7oz) servings 1x
• Category: Beverages
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 6 ounces of frozen orange juice concentrate
• 14 ice cubes
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

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Instructions

Add all ingredients to blender, process until smooth and creamy. (hint – start with the ice crusher button and move on to the frappe.) You may need to stop after a minute or two and stir.

Notes:

• I made the above using the concentrate while still frozen – it gives the best results. If you’d like yours slushier, put the concentrate in the fridge the night before so it is melted when you use it.
• Notice the servings of these are fairly small by many of today’s standards! Slightly under a cup. Increase as desired.

185 Calories, 1g fat, 2g protein; 43g carbohydrate; dietary fiber 4g; 4mg cholesterol; 20mg sodium; exchange: 1 fruit, 0 nonfat milk, 0 fat, 1 1/2 other carbohydrates.