Raspberry Orange Juice Popsicles
Orange Juice Popsicles are a cool, summery dessert you can whip up with fresh zest, juice, and — my favorite — amaretto! Dotted with sweet, plump raspberries, these orange juice pops are refreshing, fun, and taste just like summer vacation!
Orange Juice Popsicles
With fresh summer fruits and a cool, icy texture, there’s no better way to cool off on a hot summer day than with these orange raspberry popsicles. Even the name just sounds refreshing!
And I know that desserts and summer fun aren’t just for the kids, so I add a splash of amaretto for a nutty, alcoholic twist. Just like an amaretto sour or cocktail!
After all, oranges and almonds are a winning combination. Throw ‘em together to make amazing citrus bars or an out-of-this-world syrup for breakfast or other desserts.
With all the homemade popsicle and ice pop recipes I’ve come up with over the years, this one might just be my favorite.
Easy to make, easier to eat, and customizable for kiddos and adults alike… it doesn’t get much better than that!!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Orange Zest – The best oranges for zesting are Navals and Valencias — both have smooth, thick skin.
But in the event you can’t get your hands on fresh oranges, a little orange extract is a good alternative for that intense punch of flavor. - Granulated Sugar – You can easily use simple syrup, honey, or any other sweetener in this recipe.
And if you don’t want them super sweet, then I bet your OJ will make things sweet enough as-is, no additional sweetener necessary! - Orange Juice – Any brand or variety is great in these pops, so use your favorite. The only thing I’d recommend against is using OJ with pulp for texture reasons.
But you know, I’m not going to rain on your parade — use it if you want to!
If you want to make these orange juice popsicles extra tangy, then squeeze a little lemon juice in there too.
- Amaretto Liqueur – This is an Italian liqueur with a sweet, nutty almond flavor. I just love it!
Don’t want to use alcohol? Just use a teaspoon of almond extract.
- Raspberries – My favorite fruit to pair with oranges! Fresh berries will have the best texture, but you can go with frozen if that’s more accessible. Don’t thaw them first — just toss them right into the molds.
Tips and Tricks for Delicious, Refreshing Orange Juice Pops
- Add a few more ingredients to mimic an Amaretto Sour!
Squeeze in a little lemon juice and pop some maraschino cherries in the mix, and you’ve got a classic Amaretto Sour on your hands!
Instead of lemon juice, you could include sweet and sour mix in these orange raspberry popsicles to get things really sweet and tangy.
Or, capture the flavors of that cocktail I mentioned earlier by swapping the raspberries in this orange juice popsicle recipe with strawberries.
- Not an amaretto fan?
Not everyone likes the bitter almond flavor of amaretto — I get it! Luckily, just about every liquor goes with citrus, oranges, and lemons alike.
Vodka, tequila, and rum are super popular pairings for oranges. I mean, screwdrivers, tequila sunrises, and daiquiris? Sign me up!!
- Smooth out the texture.
You can puree the raspberries (and any other fruits you might want to throw in there) to make totally smooth orange juice popsicles.
This also tends to make the flavor very rich and gives them a luscious texture!
Prep Ahead
- Muddle the zest and sugar
- Rinse and dry the raspberries
- Combine the alcohol and fruit juice
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Ice Pop Mold – Silicone molds are ideal! This one comes with reusable sticks too.
- Mixing Bowls – We only need the small one for this recipe.
- Citrus Zester – If you don’t have one, use the small holes on a Box Grater.
More Flavor Ideas
There are tons of possibilities to play around with flavors and variations when making homemade orange juice pops!
Almost every fruit is yummy with oranges! Substitute the raspberries with strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and more.
Tropical fruits are also super summery and fantastic with oranges — mango, pineapple, and kiwi especially.
Want to turn these into dreamsicles? Just add vanilla ice cream!
And if you’re interested in other fun ways to use this concoction, consider freezing them in ice cubes to serve with drinks and cocktails during the summer!
Storage and Freezing Orange Juice Ice Pops
Once frozen, I like to wrap my homemade popsicles in parchment paper to keep them fresh in the freezer — and to keep them from sticking together.
Stack them in a freezer-safe gallon storage bag and squeeze all of the extra air out. These orange juice ice pops will easily last 3 or 4 months this way!
Orange Juice Popsicle Recipe FAQ
If you’re using freshly squeezed orange juice (yum!), then Valencias are the reigning champ of the juice game. I like Navel and Cara Cara oranges too!
But if you’re going the store-bought route, you really can’t go wrong with any of the major brands.
I prefer those that are not from concentrate (Tropicana, Simply, and Florida’s Natural are all options here), but honestly? It’s a popsicle with fruit, sugar, and juice — it’ll be delicious no matter what!
You can easily make this orange juice popsicle recipe with items from around the house or at the supermarket!
I’ve made these orange juice ice pops with plastic disposable cups (the 3-ounce size), aluminum foil, and popsicle sticks, but yogurt jars or muffin tins will work in a pinch.
Run a little warm water (warm, not hot!) around the outside of the mold to help loosen them up. Just a few seconds will do. Then, wiggle the mold around the ice pops to loosen them.
I recommend this over tugging on those popsicle sticks and accidentally yanking them out — once they’re out, there’s no getting them back in!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) THE QUICK VERSION
- Bright orange popsicles with raspberry and almond notes
- Inspired by orange juice + amaretto combo
- Light, refreshing, and not overly sweet
- Orange zest boosts flavor significantly
- Raspberries add tartness and texture
- Easy to customize (alcohol-free or blended)
- Freeze at least 4 hours
- Simple idea, surprisingly layered flavorÂ
Raspberry Orange Juice Popsicles
Ingredients
- 1 medium navel orange, zested (about 1 tablespoon zest)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 16 ounces fresh orange juice, about 2 cups
- 1 teaspoon amaretto, Extract or liqueur
- 6 ounces fresh raspberries, rinsed and patted dry (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- ZEST AND COMBINE: Use a microplane to zest 1 medium navel orange over a small bowl, about 1 tablespoon zest. Add 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Rub the zest and sugar together with your fingertips (or press them together with the back of a fork) for about 30 seconds, until the sugar takes on a strong orange aroma and feels slightly damp to the touch.
- MIX THE BASE: Pour 16 ounces fresh orange juice and 1 teaspoon amaretto into the bowl with the orange sugar. Whisk for about 15 seconds, until the sugar fully dissolves and the liquid looks clear and smooth.
- LOAD THE RASPBERRIES: Divide 6 ounces fresh raspberries (about 1 cup) evenly among 10 popsicle molds, about 3 berries per mold. For softer berries throughout the pops, gently press each one with the back of a spoon until you see the juice start to bleed out.
- FILL THE MOLDS: Slowly pour the orange juice base into each mold. Stop pouring when you see the liquid sit about a quarter inch below the rim. That gap lets the popsicle expand cleanly as it freezes.
- CAP AND INSERT STICKS: Cover each mold with its lid or a small square of aluminum foil. Push a popsicle stick straight down through the center of the lid (or pierce the foil) until it stops at the bottom of the mold. The foil holds the stick upright while the popsicle freezes.
- FREEZE: Set the molds level in the freezer. Freeze for at least 4 hours, until the popsicles feel solid all the way through when you press the top of the stick. For best texture, freeze overnight.
- RELEASE AND SERVE: Run warm tap water over the outside of each mold for about 10 seconds, until you feel the popsicle slide free with a gentle tug on the stick. Serve right away.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published June 2026
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Love this one and the photos! Happy summer indeed
it just makes me happy looking at it
Yum! So fruity and fresh tasting. I will be taking these to the pool next time.
How do you keep the fruit from ending up all in the bottom of the mold?