This basic orange smoothie recipe is easy to make with just 3 ingredients! Blend it up for a healthy breakfast or snack in minutes.
Creamy orange smoothie
If you grew up ordering Orange Julius smoothies at the mall, you will love this homemade orange smoothie, because it tastes exactly like the classic!
As a kid, I was always asking to go to Dairy Queen for an Orange Julius after soccer practice. So one day, my mom came up with her own version at a fraction of the cost.
Thick, sweet, and creamy, the DIY orange drink is packed with fiber, iron, and vitamin C at the same time.
Plus you can make it without banana, yogurt, or added sugar. It’s a great healthy recipe for picky eaters and parents, alike.
Also try this popular Frozen Lemonade
Orange smoothie recipe ingredients
All you need are oranges and orange juice, milk of choice, and optional pure vanilla extract and sweetener if desired.
Oranges – Fresh oranges give this smoothie a thick texture and natural citrus taste.
Feel free to go with Navel, Cara Cara, Mandarin, or any other orange variety. If you use Clementines, I recommend adding a third orange since they are smaller.
For even stronger orange flavor, include zest of one fruit before discarding the peel.
Orange Juice – I like fresh squeezed orange juice. You can squeeze your own, or buy a carton like Tropicana or Minute Maid with or without pulp at the store.
For a fun flavor twist, look for orange juice blends with other fruits such as mango, carrot, cranberry, watermelon, peach, pineapple, or apple.
Milk – Any milk works, including nondairy options for a vegan orange smoothie. My favorites are oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk.
You may replace the milk with more orange juice. However, I prefer to include the milk because it gives the smoothie an orange creamsicle flavor.
Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract adds depth of flavor. If using a vanilla flavored milk, omit the extract or add a drop of almond extract instead.
Optional sweetener – Depending on your personal taste preferences and whether your milk is sweetened, you may wish to add pure maple syrup, honey, sugar, or stevia.
Step by step video
Five orange smoothie variations
- Add three to five fresh strawberries, stems removed.
- Throw in one fresh peeled kiwi.
- Instead of sugar, blend in a ripe frozen banana.
- Make a green orange smoothie by adding a handful of raw spinach or kale.
- If you love chocolate, add a tablespoon of cocoa powder or chocolate syrup. It tastes like a chocolate covered orange!
- For a high protein version, mix in a spoonful of your favorite protein powder or replace the milk with yogurt.
How to make a homemade Orange Julius smoothie
Step one: My favorite trick for the best fruit smoothies is to freeze the orange juice ahead of time in an ice cube tray. This step is optional but yields a thicker smoothie.
Step two: Peel the oranges, and remove any seeds.
Step three: Add all ingredients to a blender and process until smooth. Do not add any water or ice, because this will dilute the flavor.
Step four: Pour into two glasses, and enjoy!
If you find yourself with leftovers, store them covered in the refrigerator. Mix the smoothie up with a spoon or whisk before drinking within two days.
Want even more smoothie recipes? Whip up a Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie, Strawberry Smoothie, or Avocado Smoothie.
Health benefits
High in vitamin C. Just one cup contains over 150% of the RDA for vitamin C, and the smoothie is high in fiber, potassium, magnesium, iron, and vitamin A.
Gluten free. The smoothie can be gluten free, egg free, dairy free, and vegan.
Low calorie. At just 100 calories, each antioxidant rich serving is also low fat, with no cholesterol and very little saturated fat.
Low sodium. The recipe is salt free, with 10 milligrams of sodium, 0% of the RDA.
No sugar added. If you omit the optional sugar or use a natural sweetener like stevia or banana, this drink does not require additional sugar.
Hydration. Oranges contain electrolytes and a high water content. This smoothie includes one whole orange per serving.
- 2 oranges
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup milk of choice or additional orange juice
- 1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract (optional)
- sweetener to taste, if desired
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If you want the best, thickest smoothie, freeze the orange juice in an ice cube tray ahead of time. This step is optional. To make the orange smoothie, first peel the oranges and discard of any seeds. Then simply add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Serve and enjoy!View Nutrition Facts
More Healthy Fruit Snacks
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
