Orange Creamsicle-tini

In honor of National Creamsicle Day – yes, today is National Creamsicle Day believe it or not, and I’m serving up an adult version Creamsicle.  It is Hump Day Happy Hour after all!  So how about an Orange Creamsicle-tini?

A Creamsicle, as you probably know, is an orange and vanilla frozen treat that we probably all have eaten as kids.  They were my favorite popsicles.  Still to this day I love to mix orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream together.  Such a great combination!  So I thought I’d try to get that same flavor combination in martini form.  For the orange flavor I knew I wanted to use some orange juice and wasn’t sure if I’d use orange flavored vodka, Cointreau or Triple Sec.  For the vanilla, I thought I’d use cream.  For my first attempt I used Absolute Mandarin vodka, Triple Sec, orange juice and half & half (I didn’t have any cream).  I thought it was a little too much orange and not enough vanilla cream. So then I tried switching the orange vodka for vanilla vodka and that combination was much better.   But I was still looking for more of a creamy texture and thought about perhaps some whipped cream, unfortunately, as I said, I didn’t have any cream.

What did I have to use in its place?  Instant french vanilla pudding mix!   I tried adding a little vanilla instant pudding and it was perfect.  Added just the taste I was looking for.  So if you have some vanilla instant pudding, I recommend using it.  If you don’t, then try using heavy cream instead of half & half.

Of course I couldn’t leave it well enough alone.  I wondered what would happen if I added a little orange soda.  Heck, why not give it a try?  So I did and it was a great addition.  I’m guessing you could just use orange soda if you wanted and skip the orange juice, but I have to admit, by this time I had made several cocktails and didn’t think I needed to make one more!  I have no idea how that would taste…probably pretty darn good I bet.  If you try it, let me know.

You can garnish this drink any way you like – an orange slice, or as I did, with a candy orange slice and vanilla wafer cookie.  A word of caution if you’re anything like me…I ate more than I care to admit of my garnishes!!!  So, if you don’t want so much dessert with your cocktail, stick with an orange slice!

I hope you enjoy this little blast from the past with this Orange Creamsicle-tini, all while reminiscing of your carefree childhood days!  Happy Hump Day Happy Hour…and Happy Creamsicle Day!