Copycat Recipe: The Famous Orange Julep Drink – At Home With Joanna (2025)

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The Famous Orange Julep Drink Ingredients Instructions See Also: Let Me Hear From You! FAQs

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!

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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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What percent milk to you use? 🙂
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1. I am actually a bit intolerant to lactose so I use lactose-free milk, however, you can use whatever you prefer. 2% had always been my go-to milk before and it works very well. Sorry it took me awhile to respond!! Thank you for the question!
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2. 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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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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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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Correct recipe but it’s missing one raw egg.
See Also
Copycat Recipe: The Famous Orange Julep Drink – At Home With Joanna
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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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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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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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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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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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Reblogged this on Joanna the Montrealer.
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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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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 (2025)

FAQs

What is orange julep made from? ›

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 the same as Orange Julius? ›

In truth, the Julius came first, in the late 1920s, and the Julep followed with its own secret recipe, around 1932, when a man named Hermas Gibeau dreamed it up.

Learn More ›

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 is inside an Orange Julep? ›

The official recipe explains that the fruit juice is deacidified by the mixture of skimmed milk powder and pectin before adding the juice concentrate and the natural vanilla flavour. It'll never taste quite as good at home, though.

Tell Me More ›

What does Orange Julep taste like? ›

It's a bit like orange juice mixed with ice cream - the flavour is so sweet and delicious! The staff member working there was lovely and gave us a little cup for our daughter so she would be able to have her own drink. We all loved it. I would definitely go back if ever in Montreal again.

Show Me More ›

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.

When did Orange Julius get discontinued? ›

In 1987 DQ Dairy Queen bought the rights to the Orange Julius Chains and marketed the drink at their DQ Treat Stores. Now in 2023 Dairy Queen seem to be phasing the drink away from some of its stores.

Learn More ›

Does Orange Julius exist anymore? ›

In 1987, the Orange Julius chain was bought by International Dairy Queen, which was subsequently purchased by billionaire Warren Buffet 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.

Find Out More ›

Who built the Orange Julep? ›

The restaurant that would eventually come to be associated with the giant orange structure was the brainchild of Hermas Gibeau. He created it in 1932 to serve his signature, self-titled drink: the Gibeau Orange Julep.

Find Out More ›

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.

View Details ›

What is orange juice pulp made of? ›

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].

Know More ›

What is the history of the Gibeau Orange Julep? ›

History. The restaurant was started by Hermas Gibeau in 1932 to serve his trademark drink the Gibeau Orange Julep, reportedly based on a Gibeau family recipe. Before founding the first location, Gibeau sold his drinks at Belmont Park, a popular amusement park at the time.

Get More Info ›

Is pulp in orange juice fake? ›

Orange juice is pasteurized to ensure food safety. During processing, natural components such as orange aroma, orange oil from the peel, and pulp may be separated from the orange juice. After the juice is pasteurized, these natural orange components may be added back to the orange juice for optimal flavor.

Find Out More ›