Name: Vanilla Creamsicle Drink Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces vanilla schnapps; 1 1/2 ounces triple sec; 1 1/2 ounces white creme de cacao; Milk

Jump to Recipe

The Vanilla Creamsicle uses milk as a mixer. Therefore, you may be tempted to argue that it’s a health drink. You would be wrong. This drink packs ridiculous amounts of alcohol – four and a half ounces, to be precise.

That ranks it up there with the Zombie. But you can weaken this one for those times when you want the taste of it but might not want to be bombed completely out of your head: just keep the liqueurs in equal proportions to each other and use more milk.

Tasting Notes

The Vanilla Creamsicle is sweet, creamy, and super smooth. Right away, there’s a strong vanilla flavor from the schnapps, mixed with a hint of orange from the triple sec.

The white creme de cacao adds a subtle chocolate note that blends with the milk to make it taste like melted ice cream. The drink’s texture is rich and velvety, thanks to the milk.

It’s not heavy, but it does coat your mouth a little, just like a real creamsicle. The orange slice garnish adds a nice citrus scent every time you take a sip, making the flavors pop even more.

Even though it’s full of liqueurs, there isn’t much of an alcohol burn. The sweetness covers it up, so it’s easy to forget how strong this drink actually is.

The finish is soft and lingering with vanilla and orange sticking around long after your last sip.

If served over ice, the flavors get a bit lighter as the ice melts. But if you drink it right away, it’s like sipping on a dessert with just enough of a boozy kick to make things interesting.

This is definitely a treat for anyone who likes candy-like cocktails or sweet drinks after dinner.

Angled view of Vanilla Creamsicle drink with orange slice

Why You Should Try It

The Vanilla Creamsicle is the kind of drink that brings back memories of those ice cream truck summers. The taste is sweet, smooth, and creamy, just like the orange and vanilla popsicles you might’ve had as a kid.

That’s one reason people love it – there’s something a little nostalgic about the flavor. But it’s not just about nostalgia. The mix of vanilla schnapps, triple sec, and white creme de cacao blends with milk to make a drink that’s both strong and easy to sip.

It’s also popular because it’s easy to make. You don’t need any fancy bartending skills or hard-to-find ingredients. Everything in this drink is pretty common at most liquor stores, and you don’t even need a shaker – just a glass and a spoon. For parties, it’s a hit because it looks fun, tastes great, and can be made in big batches.

About the Ingredients

The Vanilla Creamsicle uses just a few simple ingredients, but each one brings something special to the glass.

Vanilla schnapps is the star here. It gives the drink that strong vanilla ice cream flavor and a nice sweetness. If you can’t find vanilla schnapps, vanilla vodka or a splash of vanilla extract (with a little extra simple syrup) can work in a pinch.

Triple sec is an orange-flavored liqueur that adds bright, citrus notes. It balances the creamy vanilla and makes the drink taste like the popsicle it’s named after. Cointreau or any other orange liqueur can be used if you want something a bit fancier.

White creme de cacao brings in a smooth chocolate flavor but without overpowering the drink. It mixes well with the vanilla and orange, giving that classic creamsicle vibe.

Milk ties everything together. Whole milk makes it rich and creamy, but you can use 2%, skim, or even a non-dairy milk like oat or almond if you’d rather. Just keep in mind, the type of milk you pick will change how thick and creamy the drink feels.

When these ingredients come together, you get a drink that’s sweet, creamy, and tastes just like childhood – with a grown-up twist.

How to Make It Ahead (Big Batch)

To make a big batch of Vanilla Creamsicles, just multiply the recipe by however many drinks you want. Mix the vanilla schnapps, triple sec, and white creme de cacao together in a large pitcher or jug.

When you’re ready to serve, pour in plenty of cold milk and stir well. You can keep the whole batch chilled in the fridge until your guests arrive, then pour it over ice in individual glasses.

Don’t forget to give it a good stir before serving each time, since the ingredients can settle a bit. Add an orange slice to each glass for a fun and tasty garnish.

Batching this way makes it easy to serve a crowd without having to mix each drink one by one.

Keeping It Cold

Since this drink is creamy and sweet, it’s best served cold. The recipe is designed to be built in a glass – add the ingredients, stir and serve. Chilling all your ingredients beforehand is the best way to keep it nice and chilly.

If you want to go the extra mile, chill your glass in the freezer for a few minutes before making the drink. If it’s too late for all that, put it all together in a shaker and shake well with ice to chill the drink.

Serving and Presentation Tips

Garnishing with an orange slice doesn’t just look nice – it adds a hint of citrus smell that pairs with the triple sec and helps balance out all that sweetness. If you want to get fancy, you could even add a little grated orange zest on top.

Some folks like to serve this over ice for an extra cold drink, but keep in mind that as the ice melts, it’ll water down the flavors. If you’re making these for a group, try using big ice cubes or whiskey stones so they melt slower.