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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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 used to LOVE those things!! I’ll definitely have to make this with some fresh pressed orange juice sometime from my juicer!! YUMMY! and…reminding me of spring/summer. its still winter!!!!! but who cares.
That looks so sunny and cheery. Could definitely use that right about now. I used to love the push-ups, but not the dreamcicle flavor (the orange and white ones).
Yum – I used to love those as a kid, too. I bet this would be really good with almond milk or coconut milk and honey, too!
I tie pushups with the Flinstones in my memory… anyone else?
I LOVED those push up pops. Totally brings me back to being a kid in the summertime chasing the ice cream truck around the neighborhood.
holy Jack Tripper that looks GOOD.
I loved push ups. I think I have one of these in my future, as soon as I get home. Good call on the mango flavored concentrate too – I bet it helped get that exact flavor.
Averie, I love your recipes! My boyfriend eats plain frozen orange juice out of a cup in the freezer all the time, so he will love this. Any tips on how to get sticky recipes out of the Vitamix once they’re blended? I just made your Chocolate Coconut Cashew Butter, and it was heavenly, but I can’t quite figure out how to get it out of the Vitamix and into a bowl without spending 20 minutes scraping down the sides with a little metal spoon! I’m also afraid that a metal spoon will damage the blades, but I can’t find a plastic tool that’s the right size. Thanks!
Don’t be afraid to scrape, metal on metal. Ive been doing it for 5 years, no issues. Probably not “ideal” but you have to sometimes. The best way to get it clean it to put soap in it with water, power on and whizz. Let it sit for 20 mins, repeat as necessary. You are still going to have to scrub it, but that’s going to loosen it and don’t EVER let things just “sit and hang out” in a Vita…that’s gonna make clean up even worse! :)
A small silicone spatula helps. I found one that was double-ended (one small, one large) at Target, I believe, for about $5 that has been wonderful. The large end works well on the sides, and the small ends works around the blades.
Ha, yes– the flavors of orange push-up TOTALLY remind me of my childhood too :-) Yummy!!!
This post was like a ray of sunshine! I really like the idea of the sweet and creamy orange smoothie, I can imagine exactly how it tastes and I really want one now!
Glad you liked the ray of sunshine :)
I’ve never had a Pushup! This smoothie looks lovely. I can’t wait to try!
you have to try one!
His looks wonderful, perfect summer treat! I used to love push up pops as a kid.
what a GREAT summer treat! It’s far too cold here to make one of these right now but you bet this summer or spring I will be making some as treats for my friends! the orange push ups reminded me of creamsicles too! great recipe, Averie :) i love it!
Ach! I love orange pushpops! And now I’m wishing it was summer and I could sit outside in the sun and enjoy one of these smoothies!
Oh MY!! Can’t wait to try this one, I’m always looking for new Smoothie, get sick of the same old same old……Is the creaminess get to icy if you do a bunch in advance? Or will it stay smooth like an ice cream?
“Is the creaminess get to icy if you do a bunch in advance? ” <-- that question is a little funny? Not sure I am grasping but it stays creamy even after you unfreeze it if you make as a batch.
I think she was asking if it’s like creamy like smooth, because milk freezes with ice crystals…
I had no issues with crystallization happening. Just fine when unthawed!
The high sugar content helps keep the smooth consistency
OM gosh! I used to LOVEEEEEEEEEE these!! Your version obviously looks way better. I do love orange flavors.
glad the RSS is working again for you!
Yum, looks delicious! I loved those push-up things as a kid!