Here’s Why You’ll See Creamsicle Everywhere This Summer

Creamsicle-inspired drinks and treats are making a resurgence this year as diners seek out nostalgia.
Also called dreamsicle or orange cream, this flavor profile usually includes orange, vanilla, and cream.
Consumer packaged good brands and food service establishments are developing new products that channel creamsicles.

The sound of an ice cream truck rolling down a neighborhood street, drawing kids in with its cheerful tune, is a cherished memory that permeates so many American childhoods. As a result, enjoying a classic ice cream truck treat — whether in its original form or a modern take — can evoke a sense of nostalgia for so many of us.

Perhaps it’s a cone of artisanal soft serve ice cream that reminds you of Mr. Softee or a box of fudgesicles tucked away in the freezer for those moments when you need a moment of comfort, but the flavors of an ice cream truck do manage to echo into adulthood. And now one of them might be making a comeback for an even bigger moment.

Orange creamsicle has spent the past year gradually making its way back into the spotlight, and you’ll likely be seeing more of it this summer. With an unexpected combination of citrus and dairy, creamsicle-inspired sweets feel both refreshing and decadent at the same time. And as other vintage styles like bucket hats and 80s maximalism experience a resurgence, the food industry seems to be capitalizing on the growing interest in all things retro.

What is a creamsicle?
The very first creamsicle was a specific treat (titled simply Creamsicle) released by the Popsicle brand in 1937. At the time, Popsicle was owned by the Joe Lowe Company, and the first Creamsicle featured vanilla ice cream on a stick, covered in orange sherbet. Today, the word “creamsicle” is trademarked by Unilever — a subsidiary of this consumer goods giant, Good Humor, now owns the Popsicle brand — but it’s often used colloquially to describe snacks, dishes, and drinks that aren’t Unilever products.

I’ve always used the terms “dreamsicle” and “creamsicle” interchangeably, but in pop culture, there are various precise definitions for both. Some sources say that a creamsicle is a popsicle or ice cream bar with a vanilla ice cream center coated in orange sherbet, while a dreamsicle is identical with one exception: its center is made from vanilla ice milk instead of a custard-based ice cream.

Creamsicle is also the name of a creamy, orange-flavored cocktail; however, some sources claim that the term specifically refers to the ice cream pop product sold by Good Humor. Additionally, there are orange floats, which some people also call creamsicle floats, featuring vanilla ice cream topped with orange soda.

Throughout the complicated web of dreamsicle versus creamsicle — and the even more extensive range of variations on these names like “orange cream” — there are three common flavors typically found in anything edible that falls under this category: orange, vanilla, and cream or milk.