Copycat Recipe: The Famous Orange Julep Drink – At Home With Joanna (2024)

Posted on August 23, 2015March 1, 2024 by At Home With Joanna

The Orange Julep is quite iconic in Montreal. While us Montrealers are quite proud of our vast options when it comes to wine and dining in the city, The Orange Julep is a Montreal landmark. So, if you’re ever visiting the city, make sure to stop by so you cross it off your “must visit” list!

I have always loved going to the Orange Julep, but I will never forget the time my Aunt and Uncle brought me and my Sister there at Midnight. I was quite young, we were in our pajamas, and it was an exciting, unexpected adventure.

The most iconic part of “The Big Orange” (apart from their building), is their drink, the “Gibeau Orange Julep”. It is delicious and while the exact recipe is unknown, I have made this version several times and it is close enough for me. It is so good, that MTL Blog featured it as the closest recipe they have tried!

I’ve had a lot of feedback for this recipe since it was first uploaded. While most of the feedback is offering praise, there were also some great suggestions! Adding one raw egg, for example. I appreciated this feedback from one of my readers! The eggs helps with how frothy the drink is, but I usually stay away from raw eggs. Therefore, this ingredient is up to you, but it’s not necessary!

The Famous Orange Julep Drink

Ingredients

6 oz. can Frozen Orange Juice

1 cup Milk (You can also use your milk alternatives- Regular or vanilla- if desired.)

1 Cup water

1/2 Cup sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

12 Ice Cubes

  • As mentioned above, egg whites/egg substitute may be added for the frothy texture. About 3 Tbsps is recommended, but it is not mandatory.

Instructions

Put everything in the blender except for the ice.

Blend for 10-15 seconds until frothy.

Add the ice and blend for another 20 seconds until thoroughly crushed.

Have a taste test. If it isn’t as sweet as you would like, add a tiny bit more vanilla extract. Just be careful- sometimes people put too much vanilla in it and it ends up tasting way too sweet.

Simple, isn’t it?

Enjoy!

See Also:

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  1. Pingback: Yelp MTL's Summer Fest Kick Off Party – At Home With Joanna

  2. I put some cream and milk with the orange juice
    There another receipy with white yolk, cream,milk,orange juice,vanilla,cup of water. Its the reason i put cream for onctuosity, they à half cut of suger since i have diabète i only put one table spoon

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    1. Yes! There are many variations depending on if you have allergies or dietary restrictions. Yours sounds tasty, too!

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  3. What percent milk to you use? 🙂

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    1. I usually use 2% but any % is fine! It will obviously change the texture a little bit, but otherwise, it’s still as tasty!

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  4. I think there’s something missing in the recipe, whenever I’ve had it, I’ve tasted chunks/bits of something. Could it be bits of peel from the fresh oranges? A few years ago, I came across a similar recipe that included powdered coffee creamer(carnation) & that made the drink creamy and frothy.

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    1. Hi Ted!

      Perhaps it is more of the pulp/peel like you mentioned. The powdered coffee creamer is an interesting idea! I always enjoyed how frothy it got just from the ice and the blender but that sounds like something I may try one day! Thank you! Sorry you felt like there was something missing from the recipe!

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    2. Hmmm, I’ve always just thought it was extra pulpy and (I’m not a huge fan of pulp), Powdered Creamer is a good idea!

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  5. If I want to use fresh OJ, not frozen concentrate, would it be 1 liter of juice?

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    1. Hi there! I never got notified about this message, I’m so sorry. I have actually never tried it with fresh OJ, I’m sorry! But I believe you would be on the right track by using 1 liter. Maybe put it in a bit at a time and see which consistency you enjoy the most!

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    2. Yes, this aspect of it is mostly up to the taster’s preference. Some love pulp while others don’t; some like it thick, others like it less “full”- it’s up to you!

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    1. That’s a good idea!! Many people do not wish to consume raw eggs though, so at least this is a different option. Thank you for pointing that out though! I appreciate it!

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  6. Hi, what should I use if I do’t have anything to crush the ice cubes?

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    1. Hi there! Honestly, to make it frothy like the original drink, a blender would be needed. However, if you want to alter it just so you have a cold drink, just use ice cubes as they are. While people told me just putting the ice cubes in a towel and hitting it with a metal can is a way of breaking them up, it still won’t taste exactly like the orange julep drink, but it should still taste good and refreshing!!

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  7. Hi! How many servings does this make? I’m trying to make it for a French class. Thank you!

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    1. Hi Maya! I’m sorry for the late reply! I believe I got about 4 large glasses full using this amount. Good luck!!

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  8. Hey there I tried it and it tastes smooth… just like the original. Hey support us at Kalisha Hair brazilian extensions in Montreal. Kalisha.ca. Thanks

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    1. Thanks so much for trying it! I am glad you liked it! Thank you for the link to your site! 🙂

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  9. I would like to try this recipe but I have a question. Is the 6 ounce can of orange juice a frozen concentrate?

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    1. Hi Barry! Sorry it took me so long to reply! Yes, it is a frozen concentrate. It helps get the frothy, chilled consistency. 🙂 Let me know if you have any other questions or let me know how you like it! Thanks for the question!!
      -JLA

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    1. I used Tropicana orange juice, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, about two tablespoons of icing sugar, a tablespoon of vanilla extract and ice cubes in a blender. The amount of ingredients varying with the amount needed for several people. Then placed in a blender.

      Frozen orange juice, milk, regular sugar could be substituted for above. Insofar as sugar is concerned I preferred icing sugar.

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      1. Yum!! Sounds like a great option to have as a special treat! Using icing sugar is definitely a good way to make the consistency even smoother! This almost reminds me of having Orange Crush Floats with Vanilla Ice Cream as a kid! Thank you for commenting and for sparking such a nice memory for me!

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      2. I revised recipe to make it more specific as I have not made drink for a number of years.
        Put ingredients in blender

        Ingredients:-
        I used a glass and a half of orange juice
        Approx a half glass of milk
        About 3/4 of ice cubes from a frozen tray
        Two to three heaping table spoons of icing sugar.
        About two table spoons of vanilla extract
        Blend till ice completely melted.
        It made about 4-5 glasses of julep.

        You can revise above according to your taste preferences.
        Further suggestion to improve recipe would be welcome.

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  10. Awesome, ill try it some day! Orange Julep is a little too expensive to drink on a daily basis 🙁

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    1. Nicole,
      I know! I wish the prices were less expensive at Julep- it’s so addictive. I rather have this drink than a Pumpkin spiced latte any day 😉 Thanks for the comment! Let me know what you think of it once you try it!
      🙂 -JLA

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Copycat Recipe: The Famous Orange Julep Drink – At Home With Joanna (2024)

FAQs

What is orange julep made of? ›

Preparation: In a mint julep cup or rocks glass, gently muddle the mint, bitters and syrup. Add crushed ice and Jim Beam® Orange. Stir to combine topping with more ice as needed.

Is orange julep like orange julius? ›

It's sold alongside beloved fast-food items like hot dogs (by Nathan's) and burgers and poutine, but the real star here is the orange julep itself, a sugary, frothy, orangey drink that's a bit like the Orange Julius (if you've ever been to a mall, or a Dairy Queen, in the U.S., you know what that is).

Who owns Orange Julep Montreal? ›

“It started many decades ago with the first '57 Chevy, I guess, and somebody decided to drive to the Julep,” explains Ray Gibeau, the Orange Julep's owner.

What to do with orange juice? ›

10 Unexpected Ways To Use Orange Juice
  1. Freeze the juice in ice cube trays. ...
  2. DIY a no-added sugar ice cream topping. ...
  3. Use orange juice instead of water in boxed cake mixes. ...
  4. Make a salad dressing. ...
  5. Mix up an at-home lip balm. ...
  6. Add orange juice to your scrambled eggs. ...
  7. Kick your bacon up a notch. ...
  8. Make a takeout fake out dinner.
Jun 29, 2018

Are there eggs in orange julep? ›

The eggs helps with how frothy the drink is, but I usually stay away from raw eggs. Therefore, this ingredient is up to you, but it's not necessary!

How old is the orange julep? ›

The drink, the Gibeau Orange Julep, was first marketed in 1932. In addition to the storefront, The Orange Julep juice is also retailed, and there are recipes available online. Propos Montreal claims to have found the patent for the recipe. However, it was patented by the current owner in 1993.

Does Orange Julius exist anymore? ›

In 1987, the Orange Julius chain was bought by International Dairy Queen, which was subsequently purchased by billionaire Warren Buffett in 1998; thus, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. All of the surviving independent Orange Julius stores were rebranded into Dairy Queens.

What was the original Orange Julius made of? ›

But it was Freed/Fried's real estate agent, Willard “Bill” Hamlin, who made the first real Orange Julius. Hamlin convinced Freed/Fried to carry his secret powdered vanilla-ey formula that turns blended orange juice, sugar syrup, and crushed ice into that icy cold, fluffy, Creamsicle-y drink.

Is Dairy Queen discontinued Orange Julius? ›

Well, not entirely, at least. Dairy Queen did, unfortunately, discontinue the Orange Julius menu at its Grill & Chill restaurants in 2019. However, its treat-only locations still offer a selection of Orange Julius products, including the original Orange Julius drink we all know and love.

What is the red ball in Montreal? ›

The red ball is a travelling public art project that has been everywhere from Abu Dhabi to Barcelona to Sydney, Australia. It arrived in Montreal Sunday and was set up inside the 20-storey Biosphere at Parc Jean Drapeau - a ball inside a ball. It will be installed at Place des Arts on Monday.

What drink is Montreal known for? ›

The Montreal co*cktail is a wonderful Rye co*cktail created by a collaboration of 15 Montreal bartenders. Intended to represent Montreal's French (through the use of Suze) & English (through the use of Gin) influences, it also throws a little Italian (Aperol) in for good measure.

Is orange julep dairy free? ›

The Julep recipe is one of the best kept secrets of the city's culinary history. According to legend, dehydrated skim milk is added to orange juice to obtain this delicious vanilla-flavoured nectar.

Is it OK to drink orange juice daily? ›

Regular consumption has been associated with several health benefits, including improved heart health, decreased inflammation, and a reduced risk of kidney stones. However, it's also high in calories and sugar, so it's best to consume it in moderation and select fresh-squeezed or 100% orange juice whenever possible.

What is the healthiest way to drink orange juice? ›

Moreover, when exposed to air for a long time, the remaining nutrients in orange juice can be gradually lost. Therefore, experts often recommend that people drink orange juice within 2 hours of squeezing or squeezing to ensure that they get all the nutrients.

What is an orange Julius made of? ›

An Orange Julius is a blend of frozen orange juice concentrate, milk, vanilla, sugar, and ice. It's not quite a smoothie; it's too sweet — more like a dessert — to be considered a smoothie. And it's not as milky or thick as a milkshake, either. It's sweet and frothy, lightly frozen, and tastes just like a Creamsicle.

What are julep cups made of? ›

Mint juleps are traditionally served in a fine pewter or sterling silver mint julep cup.

What does julep taste like? ›

What does a mint julep taste like? The mint julep is a bourbon-forward drink, which is a polite way of saying if you do not like bourbon, you are likely not going to like a classic mint julep. The bourbon is sweetened with sugar or simple syrup, and flavored with fresh mint leaves.

What is the pulp in store bought orange juice? ›

Orange juice is now commonly marketed as smooth (no pulp) juice and juice with pulp (or 'with bits' in the UK) (OJP). The pulp is derived from the cellular tissues of the endocarp [22]. There has been suggestion from studies using juices with extra added pulp that this adds substantially to flavanone content [23, 24].

References

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