Ninja Slushi Orange Julius (Creamy Orange Copycat)
This Ninja Slushi Orange Julius copycat blends 2 cups of orange juice with a cup of cold milk and a little sugar, then runs it on the Milkshake preset until it is frosty, frothy and creamy, like the mall classic. It takes 5 minutes to mix and up to an hour in the machine, and it makes 3 servings.
Quick answer
Whisk 2 cups chilled orange juice with 1/3 cup sugar and a pinch of salt, then slowly whisk in 1 cup cold whole milk. Pour it into the Ninja SLUSHi, choose the Milkshake preset and run until the display says ready (15 to 60 minutes). Dispense within 30 minutes and serve.
Ninja Slushi Orange Julius
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Ninja Slushi Orange Julius Ingredients
- 2 cups (16 oz) chilled orange juice, no pulp
- 1 cup cold whole milk
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla bean powder (optional)
- Pinch of salt
How to Make an Orange Julius in a Ninja Slushi
- Whisk the orange juice, sugar, vanilla bean powder (if using) and salt in a pitcher until the sugar dissolves.
- Pour in the cold milk slowly while whisking, so it blends smoothly into the juice.
- Pour the mixture into the Ninja SLUSHi vessel, at or below the max fill line, and lock the lid.
- Select the Milkshake preset and press Start.
- Let it run until the display shows the drink is ready, usually 15 to 60 minutes.
- Dispense within 30 minutes of the ready signal and serve right away.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 of 3) (estimated)
- Calories: 220
- Total fat: 3 g
- Saturated fat: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 40 g
- Protein: 4 g
Estimated from USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy values for chilled orange juice (FDC 169100), whole milk (FDC 171265), sugar and salt. The optional vanilla bean powder is not included.
What Is a Ninja Slushi Orange Julius?
An Orange Julius is a frothy orange drink made with orange juice, milk, sugar and vanilla flavor, usually blended with ice. A Ninja Slushi Orange Julius gets its frosty texture from the machine instead of ice: the SLUSHi chills and stirs the orange and milk base until it is thick and creamy. Because no ice goes in, the flavor stays full instead of turning watery.
Why the Ninja Slushi Orange Julius Uses the Milkshake Preset
The milk makes this a dairy drink, and Ninja’s FAQ pairs dairy drinks with the Milkshake preset. The base is all liquid, it starts cold, and the orange juice plus sugar keeps it far above the 4% sugar minimum the SLUSHi needs to freeze a drink properly. At about 3 1/3 cups it is also comfortably above the machine’s 2-cup minimum.
| Ninja SLUSHi rule | What it means for this drink |
|---|---|
| Use a preset that matches the base | Dairy drinks use the Milkshake preset |
| At least 2 cups (16 oz) of liquid | This batch is well above the minimum |
| At least 4% sugar | Juice plus the added sugar clears it easily |
| No ice, ice cream, fruit pieces or other solids | Use juice and liquid dairy only |
| No hot ingredients | Start with chilled juice and dairy |
| Ready in about 15 to 60 minutes | Dispense Milkshake drinks within 30 minutes of ready |
Tips for a Smooth Ninja Slushi Orange Julius
- Keep both liquids cold. Cold orange juice and milk mix smoothly and shorten the machine time.
- Add the milk slowly. Pouring it into the juice while whisking keeps the mixture smooth.
- Choose no-pulp juice. Ninja says not to add solids, and pulp is the closest thing to them in this recipe.
- Serve it fresh. Dispense within 30 minutes of the ready signal for the best texture.
Ninja Slushi Orange Julius Variations
| Variation | Change | Preset |
|---|---|---|
| Orange creamsicle | Use half-and-half instead of milk | Milkshake |
| Pineapple Julius | Use 1 cup pineapple juice and 1 cup orange juice | Milkshake |
| Lighter version | Use 2% milk and 1/4 cup sugar | Milkshake |
| Dairy-free orange slush | Skip the milk and use 3 cups orange juice | Slush |
Serving the Ninja Slushi Orange Julius
Pour the Ninja Slushi Orange Julius into tall glasses and serve it right away with a straw. It is best fresh; leftovers lose their frothy texture in the fridge, so make only what you will drink. For more frozen drinks from the same machine, try our Ninja Slushi frozen hot chocolate, or for a fizzy, sparkling option, the lavender lemon drop mocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make an Orange Julius in a Ninja Slushi?
Yes. Mix orange juice, milk and sugar, run it on the Milkshake preset, and dispense when the machine says it is ready.
Will the milk curdle with orange juice?
Cold milk whisked slowly into cold juice stays smooth. Warm ingredients or a long wait before freezing make separation more likely.
Can I use fresh-squeezed orange juice?
Yes, as long as you strain out the pulp and seeds first; Ninja says not to add solids.
How long does a Ninja Slushi Orange Julius take?
About 5 minutes to mix and 15 to 60 minutes in the machine, depending on how cold the base is.
How many calories are in a Ninja Slushi Orange Julius?
About 220 calories per serving (one-third of the batch), based on USDA FoodData Central values.
Sources
Featured photo: Unsplash
