This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) derived from orange juice through a plasma-solution interaction method, followed by functionalization with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The CQDs exhibited strong blue photoluminescence upon excitation at 390 nm, with a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 21.9%. The CQDs were spherical, with an average size of 3.5 nm, while the AuNPs had an average size of 18 nm. The resulting Au@CQDs nanohybrids (NHs) demonstrated an increase in size to more than 20.2 nm. UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy confirmed the interaction between CQDs and AuNPs, with the nanohybrids displaying plasmon-enhanced fluorescence. This study presents an eco-friendly approach for the synthesis of CQDs and their hybridization with AuNPs, emphasizing the effect of surface modification on their photoluminescent properties, with potential applications in sensing and photonic devices.