Summer’s approaching and I have a real hankering for an Orange Julius. Apparently the chain has been bought up by Dairy Queen. As far as I know, the city of Dallas (proper) does not have a Dairy Queen in it, and it CERTAINLY doesn’t have an Orange Julius! Warren Buffet — you own Dairy Queen … rectify this!
When I was growing up there was an Orange Julius stand in a little shack-like building directly across the street from the Granada Theater on Greenville Avenue (it’s now Aw Shucks — a seafood place). It had a convenient walk-up window, and it was a frequent destination for my brother and me — a short walk from home. I also remember one in NorthPark Mall. Let’s just say I was a loyal (and frequent) customer. And then they disappeared. I went a good fifteen years without an Orange Julius until I was visiting Nashville a few years ago and somehow found myself walking through the daunting and overwhelming Opryland Mills when, suddenly, I saw an Orange Julius stand! After all those years! And it tasted exactly the same as I remembered it.
Since I am unable to pop into a local Orange Julius to satisfy my craving, I’ve had to figure out how to make my own at home. And I have. I’ve found a recipe that tastes just like the Orange Julius of my childhood. The secret ingredient is … powdered egg whites. You can get them at Whole Foods and probably most larger supermarkets — they come in a can that looks like a small Crisco can. (You could probably use regular egg whites, but I distinctly remember the people behind the Orange Julius counters adding in that scoop of mystery powder. It gives the drink some body, and it seems to aid in froth production. If you make the drink below without the egg whites it wil NOT taste like an Orange Julius. It’ll probably be good, but it won’t be an Orange Julius.) Also, I recommend using orange juice with the highest amount of pulp possible. Yes, it’s my preference, but I also remember those Juliuses being pulpy, and I’m going for nostalgia here. So pulp and powder are essential ingredients.
Here’s the recipe:
ORANGE JULIUS
1 cup orange juice
1 cup water
4 tsp. powdered egg whites (or 2 egg whites)
3/4 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup sugar (seems like overkill, but this is necessary)
1 & 1/4 cup ice
Straw
Throw everything in that blender you haven’t used since that party where everyone got really drunk on banana daiquiris and that guy Tom or Tim or Ron or whatever his name was passed out in your hallway and you had to drive him home and on the way he threw up in your car, putting you right out of a party mood, and blend everything together on high for 30 seconds, or until there are no longer any pieces of ice. The more foam the better. Insert straw. Enjoy!
Makes two large servings.
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6 Comments
July 9, 2009 at 5:09 am
OMG! You got it right! I’ve seen so many Orange Julius recipes on the net that are wrong, and they swear it’s just like the real thing. Well, I tried everything, and it was never quite right, until I used POWDERED EGG WHITES. The only thing I do differently than your recipe, is that I also use vanilla that’s in powder form.
That’s the only recipe I’ve tried that results in the authentic taste and consistency of a REAL Orange Julius.
July 9, 2009 at 8:22 am
Now I really want one myself — I haven’t made one of these in over a year! Thanks!
July 9, 2009 at 5:16 am
PS….you can also order powdered egg whites online, directly from the manufacturer: http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/powderedeggwhitescan.aspx
That’s where I found the bests price. Also, if you want to try vanilla powder, Cook’s website has if for a reasonable price.
July 25, 2009 at 1:38 pm
If you fresh squeeze the orange juice and freeze it into little ice cubes, you can cut out the ice and the drink will be even more like the original. I also find that real egg whites make the drink a little more like the original. Glad so many others love this old time drink also.
September 17, 2009 at 4:56 pm
This is PERFECT!!!! I am so happy right now I can’t even describe it. I tried so many recipes that didn’t come close, and this one was a “last stab” —–this is IT! The powdered egg whites are the key. I used Splenda instead of sugar – and it was still perfect. I think I may add a little soy protein powder and make this for breakfast every day! Thank you so much! :–)
September 17, 2009 at 7:36 pm
You’re welcome. I can’t even remember where I came across this, but I’m glad to pass it along!