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It’s clementine season! If you’re like me, and have a few too many of those tiny oranges sitting on your kitchen counter, this shake is a delicious way to polish them off.

healthy orange julius shake in a glass with a straw

Originally, this shake was created for my son. I like to give him a smoothie daily, and they usually contain some sort of fruit, greens, and a healthy source of fat. I knew he wasn’t the biggest fan of oranges, so I added a fresh date to the mix to help sweeten up their slightly tart flavor, added some avocado for creaminess, and threw in a handful of spinach, for good measure. This combination was a total hit– not just with my son, but with my husband, too.

In fact, it was Austin who said this drink reminded him of an Orange Julius. Later, he asked me to make this shake again, but this time as a dessert. So, I omitted the greens and added a dash of vanilla to mimic vanilla ice cream. I think the result is delicious enough to share, so I hope you enjoy it, too!

Healthy Orange Julius Shake (Vegan)
Serves 2

Ingredients:

3/4 cup water or almond milk, plus more if needed to facilitate blending
4 clementines, peeled
2 soft Medjool dates, pitted*
1/4 avocado, pitted
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
2 handfuls of ice cubes

*If your dates aren’t soft, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes and then drain before using.

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend until completely smooth. Adjust the flavor to taste, if necessary, and serve immediately.

Note: If you don’t have a high-speed blender, I’d recommend blending the first five ingredients until they are completely broken down and smooth, then adding the ice and blending again for a slushy texture.

Healthy Orange Julius shake

Healthy Orange Julius Shake

5 from 2 votes
A creamy, orange-flavored smoothie that is dairy-free and naturally sweetened with fruit!
prep5 mins total5 mins
Servings:2

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3/4 cup water or almond milk , plus more if needed to facilitate blending
  • 4 clementines , peeled
  • 2 soft Medjool dates , pitted*
  • 1/4 avocado , pitted
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • 2 handfuls of ice cubes

Instructions

  • Combine all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend until completely smooth. Adjust the flavor to taste, if necessary, and serve immediately.

Notes

*If your dates aren't soft, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes and then drain before using. If you don't have a high-speed blender, I'd recommend blending the first five ingredients until they are completely broken down and smooth, then adding the ice and blending again for a slushy texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 550mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 74.7mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 0.6mg
Course: Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Healthy Orange Julius Shake

I hope you enjoy it!

Smoothie Shout-Out:

If you’re looking for more smoothie recipes, my friend Tess, a.k.a. “The Blender Girl,” just released the Blender Girl Smoothies app in the iTunes store! It features 70 delicious recipes, with a new recipe added each week, along with special dietary and nutritional information, and a unique search function that allows you to search by ingredient, dietary needs, or even by your mood.

green mojito in a glass

With smoothies like Tastes-like-ice-cream kale, Hangover helper, and Brownie Batter, Tess’s smoothie recipes are a must-have!

Smoothie App photo by Erin Kunkel from The Blender Girl Smoothies app © Tess Masters, copyright (c) 2014. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Random House LLC.

Megan Gilmore leaning on her white countertop.

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. I create healthy recipes made with simple ingredients to make your life easier.

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Comments

  1. I had to use oranges because that is what I had, and a few drops of toffee stevia because the oranges weren’t that sweet. Still, this shake turned out delicious.

  2. My whole family and I LOVE this smoothie. I add half a banana and its even better! My toddler doesn’t mind some Swiss chard/spinach thrown in there, either. Sooo good. Thank you.

  3. I just tried it and it’s full of clementines peels. Does it mean that my blender is not powerful enough? I think I will try it again but I will painstakingly remove all the peel on each segment next time.

  4. I was just looking up recipes for something to do with my bowl full of clementines that have been sitting on the counter- when I got your post in my inbox. Perfect! Can’t wait to try it. Thank you!

  5. This looks delicious Megan! As a kid/teenager, I used to get an Orange Julius every time I went to the mall (which was often!), so I’m excited to give your healthy version a try! 🙂