Orange Brutus (Orange Julius)

This 10-minute Orange Julius copycat nails the foamy, creamy texture of the mall-counter classic with a clever pantry trick: a packet of vanilla instant pudding mix thickens the juice into something silkier than a smoothie but lighter than a milkshake. The whipped topping powder lifts the drink into a stable froth that holds its head right to the bottom of the glass.

Blend half the juice with the dry mixes first; that gives the pudding mix a chance to fully hydrate before the rest of the cold juice gets stirred in. Pour over cracked ice and the drink stays cold without watering down for a good fifteen minutes. The orange and vanilla combo is what defines the original, so don’t skip the splash of vanilla extract even though the pudding mix already contains a touch.

Pro Tips

• Use cold juice straight from the fridge; warm juice won’t froth properly when blended.
• Don’t over-blend after adding the second batch of juice. Pulse just enough to combine or you’ll knock out the foam.
• Cracked ice (not whole cubes) chills the drink faster and gives the right slushy texture against the foam.
• Make ahead and store in the fridge for a few hours, then blend briefly before serving to bring back the froth.

Variations

• Use frozen orange juice concentrate diluted with extra cold water for a more concentrated, tangier flavor.
• Sub pineapple-orange juice for a tiki-leaning twist.
• Add a frozen banana before blending for a thicker, smoothie-style version.