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.
I can’t wait to try this delicious looking smoothie! You’re SO right about push ups when they’re s
mushy.. they are irresistible!
LMK if you end up trying it!
looks so yummy it makes me want to go buy a blender right now!!!
so i did go buy a blender and they turned out great!! i even used the walmart brand concentrate!!
That’s awesome to know that the Walmart brand concentrate worked well for you and you loved it! Thank you so much for the feedback!
What size can of orange juice concentrate – the 6 oz size or the 12 oz size?
Thanks, can’t wait to try it.
This is the exact concentrate I bought and used. It was like 99 cents on sale at my groc store, half the price of Tropicana and so good. Others have complained their concentrate they used was too sour or not good but I can vouch this one is great. I believe it’s just the 6 ounce size, just the “average” size of canned concentrate, not huge. Sorry…I RARELY buy concentrate so don’t know what the standard sized cans in the grocer’s freezers are…just the “regular” good old-fashioned kind.
https://www.hawaiisown.com/products/mango-orange
Have you had the TGIF drink its orange dream cycle?
This did not turn out for me :( It was so bitter and adding sugar just made it really grainy. I am so sad, it looks delicious! I didn’t read the whole post about the type of concentrate making a difference. Bummer!
Sorry that you didn’t have success but the type of concentrate appears to be a huge part of the success or failure rate…maybe try another concentrate and also blend, blend, blend. If you don’t have a vitamix, I’d say 5 minutes maybe? With a Vita, I blend for at least 3 mins so there’s no graininess.
have a kid home from school today, I have made this as the recipe indicates before, but my youngest doesn’t like oranges (go figure) so today I made a grape version…Big Hit! Thanks for the inspiration!
Glad to know it worked with grape and that it was a big hit…great idea!
Are we using the 12 oz. size orange juice?
Yes, one standard sized can. Please note the brand I used as it really was lovely and I have heard other people complain about the brand of concentrate they used; just a tip for you but any brand will work, really.
Swoon !! Going to make these this week ! Amazing job on the pictures too !!
thanks & LMK how you like it…blend, blend, blend is my advice!
I hope it is alright that I pinned your recipe on Pinterest.
If not, please email me and I will remove it from there but still make the recipe! :}
Yes, I appreciate the pin..go for it and thank you! :)
Like you, orange push-ups were a staple of my childhood! I will have to make these sometime for my daughters (with some sugar variations :P)….aaaaand myself :)