When I was growing up, one of my favorite things to do was ride my bike with my friends to the local gas station’s mini-mart and reach into their freezer case and pull out an Orange Push-Up.
If you like Orange PushUps, Orange Creamsicles, or Orange Julius this is the smoothie for you.
I loved Push-Ups and seeing those brightly colored dots meant that creamy orange goodness was soon going to be mine.
I love it when Push-Ups begin to melt because they taste even sweeter, creamier, and better.
The same was true with this smoothie. As it began to melt, it got even better.
This smoothie is a dead ringer for Orange Push-Ups.
Don’t skimp on the sugar if you want it to taste exactly like an Orange Push-Up and I promise, it does.
Sweet oranges ‘n creamy perfection.
I used this mango-orange from Hawaii’s Own brand for the concentrate. It was on sale for 99 cents for the can at my grocery store and I was being cheap being budget conscious and didn’t want to buy the Minute Maid which was $3.29 for one can.
If you can’t find this concentrate, I’m sure any OJ concentrate or citrus juice concentrate blend should be fine. I really didn’t taste mango per se, just an orangey citrus flavor.
This recipe made three good-sized smoothies and since I wasn’t going to drink them all at once, I popped the leftover smoothie mixture in the freezer and realized after the fact that I should have poured the extra into Popsicle molds for homemade Push-Ups. Next time, I’ll do that.
For now, I’ve been eating it like orange sherbet style with a spoon from the glasses I poured it into and then froze.
The variations of what I’m going to do with this addictive orange mixture is exciting and has my wheels turning:
1. Pour it into molds and freeze like traditional Push-Ups (or frozen into ice cube trays or poured into paper Dixie cups with a makeshift stick inserted and peel off the paper cup after it has frozen)
2. Freeze it and eat in a bowl as orange sherbert
3. Drink it smoothie style
Now if the weather could just warm up a bit so my teeth don’t chatter while I slurp copious amounts of orange sugary liquid.
But I’ll shiver and chatter for this stuff any day.
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Orange Push-Up Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 can orange juice concentrate, slightly thawed
- 1 cup milk, half and half, cream, nut milk, soy milk, vegan milk, etc.
- ½ cup granulated sugar, or to taste (you can reduce the sugar or use an alternate sugar substitute such as stevia
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups ice, or to taste
- 1 to 2 ounces of Rum, Malibu, Vodka, Citron, Marshmallow Vodka, Gran Marnier or similar, per smoothie portion, or to taste, optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, except ice and optional alcohol, in a large blender or Vita-Mix and blend until smooth and creamy, taking care the sugar has dissolved and is well incorporated. Keep blending until it dissolves. If desired, add a splash more water or milk.
- Add the ice and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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If you’re a fan of fruity and creamy smoothies, try:
Pineapple Banana & Coconut Cream Smoothie
Peaches & Coconut Cream Smoothie
Or just cut to a dessert smoothie with a Creamy Cookie Butter White Chocolate Banana Smoothie. Use peanut butter or almond butter if that’s what you have available because there’s a cookie butter shortage.
Questions:
Do you like Push-Ups?
Do you like orange drinks?
I also love Orange Julius and Orange Crush soda. I haven’t had either in years, but I am fond enough of Orange Crush to order Orange Crush checks.
I am apparently stuck in a 1982 timewarp where people still write out checks and long to lick melty Push-Up with dots on the paper wrapper from the gas station.
While I’m at it, I’d like to do this all while watching The Brady Bunch and Three’s Company reruns and use my bike as my primary mode of transportation. Ahh, childhood memories. And maybe I’ll pour an Orange Creamsicle soda while I’m at it, too.
Yum these are so good, my grand daughter is gonna love them. Thanks for recipe!
Oh I am sooo glad to hear this, thanks! And I hope your G.D. loves them. My 5 year old is a huge fan :)
Just made them and blogged about them. https://emilyspinterestchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/02/orange-pushup-smoothie.html
Sadly they didn’t turn out good for me. Not sure if it was the brand but it was very bitter and when I added the sugar it made it taste worse. Pretty dissapointed
I saw your post and I’m sorry you weren’t a fan. My family loves it and the friends I’ve trialed it on here when I make it, also love it. Maybe it’s the brand of OJ you’re using. Thanks for trying the recipe.
Looks great! Supposedly my great great Grandpa invented the push-up pop, but greedy corporate hogs stole his idea and he never received a penny. My Grandma always kept push-up pops in her freezer. I think that must be the closest our family’s ever gotten to fame! I will have to make this for my family, as I’m sure it would bring back fond memories.
just made it. not sure if the orange concentrate had anything to do with it or not, but a cup of sugar was WAY too much! it tastes almost the same as orange juice and vanilla ice cream mixed together. next time ill try the half cup of sugar
My concentrate was quite sour and yours may have been sweeter, and of course, personal taste preferences come into play. The smoothie reminded me of Orange Pushups (Which are pretty much OJ and vanilla ice cream mixed together as you said). Have fun tweaking the flavor to your liking!
Did this today! A-maz-ing!
Glad you loved it, Brandi! Thanks for the feedback!
I just made these using coconut milk. OMG–divine! Can’t wait to see the grandkids reactions when they have their popsicles after dinner tonight ;-)
Thanks for LMK and you have lucky grandkids! I’d like to be a grandkid of yours with orange pushup coconut milk popsicles…that’s awesome!
I just made this for the kids and a vodka version for the grown ups for the superbowl and everyones happy!!!!!
now THAT’S what I’m talking about! Glad you like it and that everyone’s happy. I wish I was at your party!!! :)
You’re a doll!! My 15 year-old son will LOVE this! Cannot wait to surprise his 5’10” self! xxoo
I hope he enjoys. My 5 year old loves it :)
Averie, this looks excellent. And I am totally on board with the sorbet idea!!!! Thanks do much, will be trying this on our 60degree day this week in wintery CT (lol).
Enjoy the weather and the smoothie!
LMK if you make it and enjoy the heat wave :)
I wanted to try your recipe but I wanted to make sure what size can of orange juice concentrate. Thanks
I use a “standard” size can of concentrate. I actually used this mango-orange as I linked to in the post. But it’s this one that I used.
https://www.hawaiisown.com/products/mango-orange
It was a 12 oz can that makes 48 oz of juice.
LMK if you make the recipe!