If you love that classic orange-and-cream flavor but don’t want to chase an ice cream truck, this simple Creamsicle Drink Mix gets the job done with three pantry staples. Stir a few heaping teaspoons into cold water and you’ve got a creamy orange drink that tastes like summer without the sticky fingers.
It’s also one of those wonderfully practical homemade mixes that keeps well, takes minutes to make, and lets you portion out just one mug at a time. If you like keeping easy pantry beverages on hand, take a look at these Assorted Drink Mix Recipes or this handy Instant Breakfast Drink Mix for another make-ahead option.
Ingredients for Creamsicle Drink Mix
- 1 part orange-flavored instant drink mix, such as Tang
- 1 part powdered milk
- 2 parts instant vanilla pudding mix
That 1:1:2 ratio makes this easy to scale up or down. Use any measuring scoop you like, as long as you keep the parts consistent. A cup works for a large pantry batch. A small scoop works if you just want enough for a jar.
How to Make Creamsicle Drink Mix
- Measure 1 part orange-flavored instant drink mix, 1 part powdered milk, and 2 parts instant vanilla pudding mix.
- Combine all ingredients in a zip-top bag, vacuum-seal bag, or airtight jar.
- Seal the container and shake well until the mixture looks evenly blended with no visible streaks.
- To serve, stir 2 to 3 heaping teaspoons of mix into 1 cup of cold water until smooth.
If you want the smoothest texture, stir the powder into a small splash of water first to make a quick slurry, then top off the glass. That little extra step keeps the pudding mix from clumping like it’s staging a protest.
Tips for the Best Creamsicle Drink Mix
- Blend thoroughly. Uneven mixing means one glass may taste mostly orange and the next may taste flat and milky.
- Use cold water. This drink tastes best well chilled, and the orange flavor comes through cleaner that way.
- Start with 2 heaping teaspoons. If you like a richer, sweeter drink, bump it up to 3 heaping teaspoons per cup.
- Shake before each use. Fine powders can settle during storage, especially if the container gets moved around in the pantry.
Because the mix contains powdered milk and pudding, airtight storage matters. The USDA recommends storing dry goods in a cool, clean, dry place and protecting them from moisture with airtight packaging, which is exactly what keeps this mix from clumping and losing quality too quickly.
Easy Variations
- Make it stronger: Use the full 3 heaping teaspoons per cup for a bolder orange-cream flavor.
- Serve it frosty: Stir the mix with very cold water and pour over ice for a more soda-shop feel.
- Package it for gifting: Layer or mix the dry ingredients in a jar and attach the serving directions.
- Make a smaller batch: Use tablespoons instead of cups to test the flavor before committing to a big container.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store the dry mix in an airtight jar or sealed bag in a cool, dry pantry. A conservative shelf-life estimate is up to 6 months for best quality, since the powdered milk is the shortest-lived ingredient once opened and mixed. If your kitchen runs warm or humid, stash it in a tightly sealed jar in a cool cupboard and use it sooner.
Once prepared with water, treat it like a dairy-based beverage and refrigerate any leftovers promptly. Use it within 3 to 4 days and keep it at 40°F or below. Give it a good stir before drinking, since some settling is normal.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it ice cold in a tall glass for an easy afternoon treat.
- Pour it into a travel mug for a sweet little pick-me-up on the go.
- Pair it with simple breakfasts, light snacks, or salty crackers for a sweet-and-salty balance.
- Set out a jar of the mix for brunches, showers, or summer parties so guests can stir up their own glass.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Creamsicle Drink Mix
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Part orange-flavored instant drink mix |
$0.78 |
1 ≈ package ≈ 0.601 cup(s) |
$0.78 |
|
Part powdered milk |
$9.28 |
1 ≈ 1 count/package = 25.6 oz = 725.748 g ≈ 10.673 cups |
$9.28 |
|
Parts instant vanilla pudding mix |
$0.78 |
2 ≈ package ≈ 0.601 cup(s) |
$1.56 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost |
$11.62 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$0.25 |
📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!
🛒 Walmart Grocery List
Not sure exactly what this batch costs you per serving? Here’s how to break down the real cost of any recipe so you know before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions about Creamsicle Drink Mix
Start with 2 heaping teaspoons per 1 cup of cold water, then increase to 3 heaping teaspoons if you want a stronger orange-cream flavor. That lower amount makes a lighter drink, while the extra teaspoon gives you a richer, sweeter glass without turning it heavy.
The pudding mix is usually the culprit, because it hydrates fast and likes to clump if it hits a full glass of water all at once. Stir the powder with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water first to make a smooth paste, then add the rest of the cold water and stir again.
Absolutely. Use 6 to 9 heaping teaspoons for 3 cups of cold water, or 2 to 3 tablespoons for 4 cups, depending on how bold you like it. Whisk it well, then chill the pitcher for 10 to 15 minutes so any tiny foam bubbles settle down.
You can, but the flavor and sweetness will shift a bit, so start small before making a big batch. Some mixes are tarter, some are sweeter, and some are more concentrated, so a tablespoon test batch saves you from a full jar of regret.
Yes, as long as it’s an instant vanilla pudding mix and not cook-and-serve. Expect the sweetness and body to change a little, so mix one small batch first and adjust your serving amount by about 1 teaspoon per cup if needed.
Keep it tightly sealed and away from steam, sunlight, and humidity. A jar with a snug lid or a well-sealed freezer bag works better than a loosely folded box, and a dry measuring spoon helps too because even a little moisture can start the clumping mess.
You can, but it will be much richer and noticeably thicker because the recipe already includes powdered milk and pudding mix. If you want to try it, start with 2 teaspoons per cup of milk instead of 3, then adjust from there so it doesn’t turn pudding-adjacent on you.
An airtight glass jar or a heavy zip-top freezer bag both work well. Glass is handy if you make this often because you can shake the mix before each use, while a freezer bag takes up less space if your pantry already looks like it lost a storage argument.
Yes, it’s a good jar-mix gift because it uses shelf-stable ingredients and takes only a minute to prepare. Include the serving direction right on the tag: stir 2 to 3 heaping teaspoons into 1 cup of cold water.
If the powder smells stale, has hardened into stubborn chunks, or the finished drink tastes flat instead of bright and creamy, it’s time to make a fresh batch. Dry mixes don’t usually fail with drama, but they do lose quality quietly, which is somehow even ruder.
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🖨️ Print-Friendly Creamsicle Drink Mix
Creamsicle Drink Mix
Ingredients
- 1 part orange-flavored instant drink mix such as Tang
- 1 part powdered milk
- 2 parts instant vanilla pudding mix
Equipment
Instructions
- Measure 1 part orange-flavored instant drink mix, 1 part powdered milk, and 2 parts instant vanilla pudding mix.
- Combine the ingredients in a large bowl or directly in an airtight jar or zip-top bag.
- Stir or shake until the mixture is evenly blended.
- Transfer to an airtight container if needed and seal tightly.
- To serve, stir 2 to 3 heaping teaspoons of mix into 1 cup of cold water until smooth.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
That batch makes about 52.4 ounces of dry mix total.
Using 2 heaping teaspoons per cup yields about 70 prepared cups.
Using 3 heaping teaspoons per cup yields about 47 prepared cups.
The serving count above uses the larger serving amount for a conservative whole-number yield.
Prep time is estimated because the original method does not provide a clock time.
Store the dry mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 months for best quality.
Refrigerate any prepared drink promptly and use within 3 to 4 days.
i made this sugar free & it was great. use great value orange early rise drink mix &sugar free pudding mix
mmmm, sounds lovely:piggy: