Sparkling Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cubes for Refreshing Summer Drinks
These Sparkling Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cubes bring the nostalgic flavor of orange creamsicles to any drink, transforming sparkling water, lemonade, or champagne into a fizzy, creamy treat. Quick to make and perfect for summer gatherings, gifting, or brightening up brunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes (oven drying, optional)
- Total Time: 8 hours (includes drying time)
- Yield: 48 cubes (about 24 servings, 2 cubes per serving) 1x
- Category: Drink Garnish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- Zest from 2 large navel oranges (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or coconut cream/oat cream for dairy-free/vegan)
- Pinch fine sea salt
- Optional: a few drops natural orange food coloring
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients: sugars, orange zest, extracts, cream, and salt. Zest oranges with a microplane for fine zest.
- In a mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar and powdered sugar. Whisk until no lumps remain.
- Add orange zest, orange extract, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt to the sugars. Mix well.
- Add heavy cream (or coconut/oat cream for dairy-free/vegan). Mix until the texture resembles damp sand and holds together when pressed.
- If using, add a few drops of natural orange food coloring and stir until evenly distributed.
- Spoon the mixture into a silicone ice cube tray or candy mold. Press down firmly to pack each cavity tightly.
- Place filled molds on a baking sheet and let air dry for 6-8 hours or overnight. For humid conditions, dry in a 200°F oven for 30 minutes, then cool completely.
- Gently unmold the cubes. If sticking, flex the tray or tap gently. Store cubes in an airtight container, layering with wax paper if stacking.
- To serve, drop a cube into sparkling water, lemonade, or champagne and enjoy the fizzy creamsicle flavor.
Notes
Press mixture firmly into molds for best results. For humid climates, use oven drying to prevent cubes from staying soft. Store in an airtight container with a silica packet if needed. Substitute coconut or oat cream for vegan cubes. Try other citrus zests for flavor variations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cubes per serving
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 5
- Fat: 0.5
- Saturated Fat: 0.3
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 0.1
Keywords: orange creamsicle, sugar cubes, summer drinks, mocktail, brunch, edible gift, fizzy, citrus, vanilla, easy recipe