This orange creamsicle cocktail is a grown-up spin on that classic frozen treat. It's easy to make with just 3 ingredients: fresh-squeezed orange juice, gin (or vodka), and a splash of vanilla almond milk.

Great for summer get-togethers and backyard parties!

Orange creamsicle cocktail in glass with straw.

Orange creamsicles (or dreamsicles) are one of those classic childhood treats. The orange popsicles with a creamy vanilla center put you to the mind of long, sunny days cooling off with an icy dessert.

Way back in 2011, my husband made his own riff on that beloved orange-and-vanilla combo by creating this orange creamsicle cocktail.

We’ve been enjoying them on our front deck, and serving them at summer birthday parties ever since. It feels wonderfully nostalgic, and a joy to sip.

Fresh-squeezed OJ comes together with gin (or vodka). Then it's finished with a silky layer of vanilla almond milk.

The creamy finish softens the acidity of the orange juice, and a whisper of vanilla ties it all together.

Make this bright and refreshing cocktail for a taste of summer all year ’round.

(For more another simple cocktail idea, be sure to try my perfect gin and tonic!)

In this post:

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Why readers love this recipe
Ingredients
Step by step instructions
Make it your own
📖 Recipe

Why readers love this recipe

“These were wonderful. Fixed them for our 4th of July celebration and everyone loved them.” – Patti

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this recipe.

Orange juice: Since orange juice is the starring ingredient in this alcoholic beverage, freshly squeezed is best.

Juice oranges by hand with a stainless steel juicer. Or peel the oranges & push them through an electric juicer.

Gin: Use a smooth, straightforward gin without strong botanicals. New Amsterdam is a good pick. It's clean and mellow, so the orange and vanilla can shine.

Almond milk: Sweetened vanilla almond milk is my preferred choice for this beverage. Either homemade almond milk or store-bought are fine. (If you make your own, be sure to add the optional vanilla extract.)

Orange creamsicle cocktail in glasses by orange slices, non-dairy milk, gin, and fresh squeezed orange juice.

Step by step instructions

This section shows how to make this recipe at a glance with process photos of the steps. For complete ingredient amounts & instructions, keep scrolling to the recipe card below.

3-panel collage showing how to make orange creamsicle cocktail by adding orange juice to glass, followed by shot of gin, and a thin layer of creamy vanilla almond milk.

1. Pour freshly squeezed orange juice over ice in a short glass (such as a rocks glass).

2. Add a shot of gin, and stir.

3. Finish with a thin layer of sweetened vanilla almond milk on top, and enjoy!

Tip: Extra large ice cubes work great in this drink, because they cool quickly & melt slowly. That way your cocktail won’t get diluted before you finish it.

Make it your own

Glasses of orange creamsicle cocktail with swirls of almond milk.

Make this cocktail your own by varying the ingredients.

Replace the orange juice: For a different variation, replace 100% orange juice with a blend that includes peach and/or mango juice. (It doesn’t read creamsicle quite as much, but it adds a delicious and velvety texture.)

Vary or omit the liquor: Gin can be replaced with plain or vanilla vodka. For a mocktail version, this drink is equally eye-catching and inviting without gin or any other hard liquor.

Vary the non-dairy milk: If you're not a fan of almond milk, any sweetened vanilla non-dairy milk works. Soy is especially nice since it’s so creamy.

Gin cocktail with orange juice and almond milk in glasses with ice by orange slices.

Orange creamsicle cocktail in glass with thin layer of sweetened vanilla almond milk on top.

If you try this recipe and love it, let me know! Leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comment section below. It truly makes my day and is such a help!

📖 Recipe