Clementine Smoothie (Healthy Orange Julius Recipe)

This easy and simple 4-Ingredient Clementine Smoothie Recipe is healthy, refreshing, and way tastier than the original recipe. Sweet and frothy with just a hint of vanilla, enjoy it for breakfast or dessert!

This recipe is totally flexible, meaning you can make it vegan, turn it into a cocktail, or just add in as many fruits as you desire. You could even freeze them in popsicle molds for fun orange yogurt popsicles!

This copycat recipe was inspired by the original orange julius recipe invented way back in the 1920s. While the original is so delicious and frothy, it isn’t very healthy. My version has really simple ingredients, like fresh oranges, creamy Greek yogurt, and a little vanilla.

It takes no time at all to whip up, so you can enjoy this sweet clementine smoothie as a quick breakfast or dessert. It’s like a creamsicle in a glass!

🍊 What is an Orange Julius?

An orange julius is two things: a fruit drink company, and a frothy orange drink. The company and the drink were founded in the 1920s in Los Angeles, California. Fun fact: the drink was invented and named after the company’s founder, Julius Freed!

He coined the iconic orange drink, which was originally made from orange juice, powdered egg whites, milk, vanilla, and ice. Home cooks all over the world have played with the recipe since, simplifying the ingredients or making fun additions.

🛒 Ingredients needed

  • Vanilla Greek Yogurt: For an extra creamy orange smoothie with a hint of tang. Feel free to use regular vanilla yogurt if that’s all you have. You can also swap the yogurt for milk or dairy-free milk instead.
  • Vanilla Extract: The touch of vanilla rounds out the flavors and complements the sweetness.
  • Ice: This will help make the drink slushy and refreshing.
  • Clementines: I’m using clementines instead of oranges in this recipe. I find them so much easier to peel. However, you can also use 2 oranges in place of the 4 clementines.

📋 How to make it

It really doesn’t get any easier than this. Just throw all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve with a colorful straw and enjoy!

ℹ️ FAQ

Do I have to use clementines?

I used clementines instead of oranges in this recipe because they’re so much easier to peel, seedless, and have a sweeter taste than other oranges. Go ahead and use any oranges you already have on hand. Swap out the four clementines for two large oranges and you’ll be good to go.

Is an orange julius made with eggs?

Egg whites were included in the original recipe to help make it extra frothy. I chose not to include eggs to keep things simple and the number of ingredients low. Plus, you may feel more confident drinking a version that doesn’t include any raw eggs.

Mandarin smoothie in blender.

🕕 Making it ahead of time

If you want to save time and make this smoothie ahead of time, blend everything together and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days before enjoying. The ingredients may separate while the drink sits, so give it a good stir or blend it again quickly to help everything come back together.

Alternatively, you can make the orange julius recipe as normal and pour it into ice cube trays. Whenever you want a smoothie, just pop a few orange ice cubes in the blender and blend until smooth.

✔️ Recipe variations

Make it a little more fun and add a few extra flavors into your drink, such as:

  • 1 or 2 ounces of alcohol, such as vanilla-flavored vodka and Cointreau.
  • A scoop of vanilla ice cream (to replace the Greek yogurt).
  • A splash of orange or pineapple juice.
  • Top it with whipped cream!

Don’t just settle for the orange flavor! Swap out the clementines for more fruit and berry combinations:

  • Swap in bananas and strawberries.
  • Add in 1 frozen banana and a handful of mixed berries to the recipe.
  • Replace the yogurt and oranges with coconut milk and frozen pineapple chunks.
Side view of two clementine smoothies in glass cups.

🍹 How to serve

This is a beautiful and colorful drink that’s best enjoyed in a clear glass with a fun straw and an orange wedge. It goes well with plenty of dishes and is great for any time of day:

  • Enjoy it with a Greek yogurt bowl for breakfast or a snack.
  • A glass with my breakfast cookies would make for a quick and filling breakfast.
  • Blend a batch and freeze in molds for an orange julius yogurt popsicle.
  • Triple the recipe and serve one to all of your friends at a pool party.
  • Pair it with my mango cobbler for a light dessert.
Side view of clementine smoothie topped with whipped cream.

👩‍🍳 More smoothie recipes

🍴 More Copycat Recipes

Did you try this clementine smoothie?

If you loved this mandarin smoothie I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a ⭐️star review⭐️! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on InstagramTikTokPinterest and Facebook.

Orange julius topped with whipped cream and served with straw.

Clemetine Smoothie

This clementine smoothie recipe tastes just like the an Orange Julius (but it's healthier). It's frosty and frothy with that orange and vanilla flavor that we all love!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 smoothie

Ingredients

  • 4 clementines (peeled)
  • 1/2 cup ice
  • 1/4 cup vanilla greek yogurt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • pinch salt

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 38.2g | Protein: 7.8g | Fat: 4.3g | Cholesterol: 9.6mg | Sodium: 332.2mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 29.8g

Check out the web story here.

22 thoughts on “Clementine Smoothie (Healthy Orange Julius Recipe)”

  1. Glad to hear you are back on solid foods again, Erin! Two weeks on liquids is enough to make anyone go nuts. I used to love getting an Orange Julius back in my “mall days,” and every so often I get a yen for one even now. I will have to give this a try. Cheers!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.