Sweet little clementines are now in season. We are consuming them like crazy, making our breaths citrus-sweet most the time. I’ve told Boy he needs all the vitamin C he can get to be big and strong. And he goes around telling that to anyone who would listen.
Then I noticed that the last bag I bought is being emptied at a slower rate. It was time to get creative with oranges.
All my life, I have been skeptic of creamy citrus drinks. Then I discovered Brazilian Limeade and was hooked. In my quest to find even more interesting drink recipes, I came across the Orange Julius from DQ. A creamy concoction made of sweet oranges and cream/milk blended together with ice cubes, make for a simple yet interesting combination.
You can use orange juice, bottled or freshly squeezed. I actually blended the whole oranges. A neat trick to keep the smoothie from being too watered down by the ice is to partially freeze the orange segments. You can also freeze the cream or milk in ice trays, but that would mean more clean up. So freezing oranges it is!
I also refrain from straining the blended oranges to ensure that all the pulp and fiber remains. If you are serving this at a party, you can juice the oranges separately to make a smoother drink.
You will need: (Makes 3 servings)
- Oranges – 4, medium-sized
- Heavy cream, half and half or milk – 1 1/2 cups
- Sugar – 2-3 tbsp, more or less depending on the sweetness of the oranges
- Vanilla extract – 1/2 tsp, optional
- Ice cubes – as needed
How to:
- Peel or skin the oranges and freeze them till they firm up a bit. Make sure they are seedless or de-seeded.
- Blend the oranges, cream/milk and vanilla extract. Add sugar to taste (you may not need much if the oranges are really sweet). Add a few ice cubes to bring it to the desired consistency.
You can use soy, almond or coconut milk to make it vegan-friendly.
You would absolutely love this drink if you are an Orange Julius fan. If you have never had it, now is the time to try!
It’s perfect for a lazy morning or weekend brunch!
I am linking this recipe up to Fiesta Friday at The Novice Gardener.
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- By Stephanie Lynn
This looks so delicious and refreshing. thanks for linking up with “Try a New Recipe Tuesday.” I hope you will be able to join us again this week. http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com/2014/02/try-new-recipe-tuesday-february-25.html
It’s really good. I hope you try it, Lisa!
I love this idea! I have a bag of those clementines on my counter right now, too!
Thanks for sharing on Twirl & Take a Bow!!!
– Brooke –
Thanks for visiting. I hope you try this recipe!
Oh this would be fabulous for breakfast. Thanks for the recipe. and . Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Thanks for visiting, Marty! Appreciate it.
We love Orange Julius at our house. I made a similar smoothie last week and it was so good. Typically we use orange juice concentrate, but I used clementines like you did. Fresh is so much better, isn’t it?
Fresh is always better!
I love Orange Julius! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
That’s great! Hope you try this out.
Hey thats a good one. Never heard of orange smoothies. I always hesitated to make a milkshake or smoothie with oranges coz i thought the citrus orange will curdle the milk. But yours look perfect. Will try this some time soon. 😊😊
Thanks Sadia!
I used to fear the curdling effect too. But as long as they are all chilled, its fine actually. Why don’t you give it a try?
Oh ok. Will try for sure then. 🙂 🙂
I am visiting here from Cozy lLittle House. That is such a refreshing looking drink. I’ll have to try making it sometime. Good for you too!
Thanks for visiting, Rhondi. Appreciate it!
Thanks for linking up, Anjana! That cup looks mighty refreshing. Although it’s been kinda cold here, but some OJ is always appreciated. XOXO
Thanks for hosting, Angie!
We too have been consuming clementines at break-neck speed in our house. I’d never thought of making an Orange Julius out of them, but it sounds so good! Thanks for the great idea!
They are heavenly, aren’t they? I hope you try this recipe!
I loooove the vibrant orange here – so beautiful and a perfect pick-me-up during winter. Nice to see you here at Fiesta Friday! -laura
Thanks for visiting, Laura!
I haven’t had an Orange Julius in years. I used to love to stop and get one at the mall when I was a kid.
Do try this recipe and re-live those days again!
I have never thought to recreate an Orange Julius at home, but I will now. Thanks for the recipe!
Hope you enjoy this recipe, Laurie!
Delicious 🙂
It sure is!
Looks like a glass of deliciousness! Orange Julius has been a love of mine for years. My recipe [at least 20 years old!] uses frozen concentrated OJ – I’m so glad to find yours – using fresh oranges. Seems as if I’ll need to pull out the blender this weekend!
Thank you, Nancy! I hope you try it soon.
Citrus, especially oranges, are perhaps the best that happened to humankind. No ?
They absolutely are!