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Clementine Smoothie (Healthy Orange Julius Recipe)

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

October 24, 2024

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5 from 2 votes

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Clementine smoothie pinterest image.

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!

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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 it 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 smoothie with clementines as a quick breakfast or dessert. It’s like a creamsicle in a glass!

Peeled clementines in bowl.

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🍊 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He coined the iconic orange drink, which was originally made from orange juice, powdered egg whites, milk, vanilla, and ice.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

Bowl of clementines next to small bowl of yogurt.
  • 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 cutie smoothie, 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

  • Healthy Strawberry Smoothie
  • Blackberry Smoothie Without Banana
  • Peach Smoothie
  • Dragonfruit Smoothie Bowl
  • Green Goddess Smoothie

🍴 More Copycat Recipes

  • In-N-Out Sauce
  • Chick Fil A Sauce Recipe
  • Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
  • Costco Quinoa Salad Recipe
  • PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps
  • PF Chang’s Mongolian Beef
  • Starbuck’s Cranberry Bliss Bars
  • Starbuck’s Bistro Boxes: 3 Ways
  • Starbuck’s Sous Vide Egg Bites
  • Boston Market Meatloaf
  • Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Did you try this clementine smoothie recipe?

If you loved this mandarin smoothie with no banana, 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 Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

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Save Recipe – Before Recipe Card

Orange julius topped with whipped cream and served with straw.

Full Recipe

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
Serves 1 smoothie
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Blender

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 38.2g | Protein: 7.8g | Fat: 4.3g | Cholesterol: 9.6mg | Sodium: 332.2mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 29.8g
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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22 responses

  1. Bill Volckening
    August 25, 2015

    Love copycat recipes. My all-time favorite is the baked garnet yam from Lone Star steak house, baked low and slow until the sugars seep out. Amazing.

    Reply
    1. Erin
      August 25, 2015

      That sounds delicious Bill – I’ll need to seek that recipe out!

      Reply
  2. Lindsay Ingalls (@RunWithTongs)
    August 25, 2015

    Simple and easy recipe! Love when things so simple just taste so good! Also Orange Julius – yum yum!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      August 25, 2015

      I love an easy recipe too Lindsay! Especially first thing in the morning when I’m too tired to think!

      Reply
  3. Meredith {MarthaChartreuse}
    August 25, 2015

    As a kid I loved orange julius! Now I find them too sweet, but this is the perfect fix!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      August 25, 2015

      This should be just right Meredith – It’s definitely not too sweet at all – Just right! Enjoy!

      Reply
  4. Marlynn @UrbanBlissLife
    August 25, 2015

    Oh my goodness, talk about childhood memories! My kids are going to love this recipe — and so will I! Thanks! And, congrats on being able to eat again. You survived! I’m not sure I would have! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Erin
      August 25, 2015

      Yay – I hope your kids love this Marlynn!

      Reply
  5. Renée ♥ The Good Hearted Woman
    August 25, 2015

    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
    1. Erin
      August 25, 2015

      Thanks Renée – Reunited and it feels so good!

      Reply
  6. Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
    August 25, 2015

    Love this – I think I may be having one for breakfast tomorrow morning!!!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      August 26, 2015

      Cheers to that Kathryn!

      Reply
  7. Shinee
    August 26, 2015

    Erin, this is absolutely beautiful smoothie! I’d love to drink those 2 glasses you have there! Glad to hear you’re feeling better!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      August 26, 2015

      Thank you Shinee! I’m feeling SO much better – It’s hard for a self-proclaimed foodie not to eat!

      Reply
  8. Dawne
    August 26, 2015

    The second I saw the picture I knew this was going to be something I could get behind. To find out how simple it was to make just made my whole day. Guess I am going to have to get some clementines.

    http://www.dawnehanks.com

    Reply
    1. Erin
      August 26, 2015

      Thanks Dawne! It’s a perfect way to start the day!

      Reply
  9. Becky Winkler (A Calculated Whisk)
    August 28, 2015

    Yum! I used to get an Orange Julius almost every weekend at the mall when I was in middle school. I’ll have to try your homemade version.

    Reply
    1. Erin
      August 28, 2015

      It was definitely a teenage favorite for me – This version we’ll call our “grown up” version 😉 Much healthier!

      Reply
  10. Gina
    September 16, 2015

    Hi! My family & I detest yogurt of any kind so can anything be used as a substitute? Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Erin
      September 17, 2015

      Hi Gina. You could use ice cream in place of the yogurt.

      Reply
  11. Joan Thompson
    October 13, 2022

    Forgive my ignorance but do you use the entire Clementine including the rind?

    Reply
    1. Erin
      October 13, 2022

      Sorry Joan – No, you should peel the clementines. I just updated the recipe card to be more clear. Thanks!

      Reply

Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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