There are days when you really deserve a treat, and those are the days when you should be whipping up an indulgent Orange Creamsicle cocktail, friend. Trust us; this creamy mixed drink is straight-up dreamy. After all, how could you possibly go wrong by combining the bright, summery flavors of a beachside treat with the boozy kiss of vodka? Sheer magic. Here’s our go-to recipe to try at home (we’ve kept it nice and simple!).
Orange Creamsicle
PREP TIME 5 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
1.
Add the vodka, Grand Marnier, half-and-half and orange juice to a cocktail shaker with ice
02
2.
Shake well, and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice
03
3.
Garnish with a simple orange slice, or add whipped cream or ice cream on top
04
4.
Serve
The origins of this indulgent drink
You’ve probably already guessed that this indulgent drink is not a classic cocktail as such, and you would be correct in that assumption. The original creamsicle popsicle was first made in 1905 by 11-year-old inventor Frank Epperson, who experimented with putting fruit juice around vanilla ice cream. So that idea has been around for a while, much to the delight of ice cream enthusiasts everywhere.
However, it was only in the early noughties that mixologists got to play around with flavored vodka, and this is when they started dreaming up drinks like this one. Following on the heels of drinks like the White Russian, this creamy vodka drink was an immediate hit.
Love orange? 8 Orange Liqueur Cocktails That Zest the Best (opens in new window)
Other dreamy recipes to try
The great thing about this lovely drink is that there are a bunch of ways to tweak it to your liking, and according to the ingredients you have on hand. As such, you could make:
- An Orange Creamsicle frozen cocktail is made by blending the ingredients with extra ice (yay for slushies!).
- The Freakshake version! Dress the drink up with ice cream scooped on top, or lashings of whipped cream and orange syrup slathered on top
- A non-dairy version by swapping the half-and-half for sweetened vanilla almond milk.
Vegan can be creamy! Your Guide to Making Creamy Vegan Cocktails (opens in new window)
When to serve this gorgeous cocktail
As previously stated, the Orange Creamsicle is a great option whenever you feel like you need a treat. We also like to serve it at:
Birthday parties
No birthday shindig is complete without something sweet! Next time you plan a birthday party (opens in new window) for yourself or a friend, consider serving a cocktail like the Orange Creamsicle instead of cake. It’s 100% a dessert in a glass!
Summer BBQs
Okay, hear us out! We know BBQs are synonymous with long, cool drinks, but once everyone has had their fill and settles down for a big chill, it’s great to roll out this extra creamy treat as a nod to everyone’s favorite childhood ice cream.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Vodka, Grand Marnier, half-and-half, and pulp-free orange juice.
Orange juice a versatile mixer that pairs well with everything from vodka and gin, to Champagne and tequila. You can even mix it with half-and-half and Grand Marnier to make an indulgent cocktail.
It is made using 70-proof flavored vodka, and comes in at around 15% ABV (30 proof). This means it's just a little stronger than your average glass of wine.
