Honey Sweetened Orange Julius is a healthy, delicious twist on the classic drink. Packed with vitamins and minerals, it’ll leave you feeling refreshed and nourished!
I know I’m not the only one.
Back in the day (i.e. high school) it was the ‘in’ thing to go to the mall and just wander around. Or sit there and people watch. I wasn’t a very cool high schooler, since music and gymnastics took pretty much all my time, but I can remember a few times when I wandered around. I usually ended up in front of one of two places: the soft pretzel shop, or the Orange Julius stand.
I’m pretty sure mall are a thing of the past at the moment (but retro is in, too, so maybe not?), but my love for Orange Julius’ has not receded with the times. Of course, since celiac changed up my life about 9 years ago, I’ve needed to real-food-ify my beloved treat.
Better than the original.
In case you didn’t know, there’s really not much to an Orange Julius. It’s basically just milk, orange juice, sugar, and ice. In fact, they’re about 1/3 sugar by volume. And if you know me, you know I can’t hang with boatloads of sugar in anything. So of course my first step was to nix the sugar in place of honey. Not only does honey add a delicious flavor to the drink, it adds volumes of nutrition, too!
Though I do love my Orange Julius with actual orange juice, I do enjoy switching things up every now and again too and using clementines. They’re a little sweeter than oranges, but so, so delicious!
Honey Sweetened Orange Julius
Normally an Orange Julius is made whole cow’s milk. Of course, I don’t do cow’s milk, so I opted for almond. If you like the flavor of coconut milk, that’s a tasty option too! And of course, if you have access to raw cow’s milk and can handle that – do it.
Even though oranges and clementines are packed with vitamin C, I like to give my drink a little boost with some good quality vitamin C power. Oranges also contain vitamin A, and both contain folate, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.
I also love to add in fresh organic egg yolks! If you’re weirded out by that, don’t be. Not only do egg yolk makes the drink thick and creamy, they actually add nutrition, too! Egg yolks are packed full of vitamins like B6, folate, B12, A, D, E, and K. The yolks also have 90 percent of the egg’s calcium and iron!
A delicious variation.
If you love Orange Julius’ as much as I do and you love chocolate. I have a chocolate version of this drink included it in my new ebook, Easy Grain-Free.
Easy Grain Free is full of simple and delicious paleo and primal breakfasts, snacks, lunches, desserts, and drinks – all of which are 100% healthy! Each recipe includes notes with options that help you fit the dish into different diet plans, including keto/low-carb and GAPS Diets, as well.
Check out the ebook!
More healthy drinks.
I know you’ll enjoy these other delicious and healthy drinks. They’re my family’s favorites. Some we eat for breakfast, some for a snack or a healthy treat!
- Anti-Inflammatory Banana Peach Smoothie
- Probiotic Elderberry Water Kefir
- Mineral-Rich Electrolyte Smoothie
- Nutrient Dense Raw Milk Tonic
- Anti-Inflammatory Mixed Berry Switchel
In the recipe card I’ve linked to some of the products from my affiliate partners that I like to use. Purchasing through these links won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks!
Honey Sweetened Orange Julius
Free from grain, gluten, dairy, and refined sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 orange, or 2 clementines, or a mix of both
- 1/2 teaspoon vitamin C powder (optional, but so good for you!)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (I make my own, or use this one)
- 2 organic egg yolks (preferably from pastured hens)
- 3 tablespoons honey (raw/local is best, use 1/2 teaspoon organic liquid stevia for keto option)
- 2 cups ice cubes
Instructions
Peel oranges/clementines. Place peeled pieces into a blender along with the remaining ingredients. (I use my beloved Blendtec.)
Puree on high until smooth.
Enjoy!
Notes
For a special treat, top with homemade coconut whipped cream!
I’ve never heard of Orange Julias, but it sounds like orange creamsicle to me and I’m ALL about it. Looks incredible!
Thanks, Jean! It is basically an orange creamsicle in smoothie form. 😉 I hope you get to enjoy it!
So refreshing! The delicious creamy foam and sweet flavors are so good!
Thank you, ChihYu!
Ah this looks wonderful! Icy, smooth and delicious!
Thanks, Kelly!
So creamy and delicious — I used clementines too, love them! Also, good tip on the vit C powder . . someone had sent me a little jar, and I didn’t know what to do with it
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Jen! It is a great way to use vitamin C powder. 🙂
Yum. I’m always happy to find a recipe with raw egg yolks because I do not like eggs. Drinking them is the only way I can get ’em down! What a nutrient packed Orange Julius!
Thanks, Jo! I agree, raw is my favorite way to eat eggs, too. 🙂
Love this recipe! Looks so delish and good for us too!!
Thank you so much, Carol! I hope you get to enjoy it! 🙂
I’ve always heard about orange julius but never tried it. But I am totally going to try this one. Love the addition of egg yolks!
Thanks, Donny! They’re such a refreshing and delicious treat!
Seriously, Orange Julius was my favorite as a kid and I would pester my parents whenever we went on a trip anywhere they had an Orange Julius stand. I had forgotten how much I love them! I can’t wait to try your healthy version!
I hope you enjoy it, Stacey! They are soooo delicious!
Used to love them. I’m immune compromised and concerned about raw egg and honey.
You can definitely leave out the raw egg and honey, if you’re uncomfortable with them. The drink will just not be as creamy or sweet. 🙂 I’m not a doctor, but I would never tell anyone to stay away from organic raw eggs or honey unless they were allergic to them. They are both very good for your immune system. Honey especially is a natural immune-booster and helps reduce Inflammation and fight infections. But seriously, feel free to change the recipe to whatever makes you comfortable. 🙂