6 Summer Popsicle Ideas

By UBCO Food Services Staff

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Is there anything more refreshing during a hot day than an ice-cold popsicle? Luckily, with a little ingenuity, you can make your own without leaving the house, as long as you have some popsicle moulds (or even Dixie cups and sticks), some fruit, and a sense of culinary adventure.

Here are six refreshing summer popsicle ideas inspired by the Okanagan heat!

Tips and tricks ahead of time

• Add pieces of sliced fruit like strawberries or kiwis
• Alternate between layers of juice, puree or yogurt (freezing each layer as you go)
• For a creamy texture, blend in pureed bananas or avocados, or add unsweetened coconut milk
• Play around with sweetness by adding cocoa powder, maple syrup or honey

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1. Mint Watermelon

Suggested Ingredients

• 3 cups watermelon slices
• 1 ½ cups coconut water
• 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. In a blender, puree 2 ½ cups diced watermelon pieces, mint leaves, coconut water, lime juice, and honey.
2. Cut the remaining ½ cup watermelon slices into ¼-inch cubes. Evenly divide the diced watermelon into the moulds, tapping them down to the bottom.
3. Stir the popsicle mixture then evenly divide it among the popsicle moulds.
4. Freeze for at least 6 hours, or overnight.

Experiment with Flavours

Mix it up a bit by adding a dash of one of these ingredients:

• Vanilla extract
• Cucumber
• Basil
• Fresh Ginger

2. Strawberry Basil

Suggested Ingredients

• 2 cups strawberries, chopped
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 8 basil leaves

Instructions

1. In a bowl, toss the strawberries with the balsamic vinegar and sugar. Let the strawberries marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
2. Blend the strawberries and their juices, along with the lemon juice and water, until smooth. Add the basil leaves and pulse just a few times, so you can still see tiny pieces of basil.
3. Pour the mixture into popsicle moulds and place in freezer for at least 4 hours.

Experiment with Flavours

Mix it up a bit by adding a dash of one of these ingredients:

• Banana
• Pureed Melon
• Pineapple juice
• Honey
• Coriander

3. Raspberry Coconut Creamsicle

Suggested Ingredients

• ½–1 cup raspberries
• 1 can full-fat coconut milk
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut yogurt (or any full-fat yogurt)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla-flavoured stevia drops
• 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey

Instructions

1. Blend the coconut milk, yogurt, vanilla and maple syrup together in a blender or food processor.
2. Add raspberries and blend until combined.
3. Pour into moulds and freeze overnight.

Experiment with flavours

Mix it up a bit by adding a dash of one of these ingredients:

• Lemonade
• Thyme
• Mint leaves
• Cocoa powder

4. Cucumber Lime

Suggested Ingredients

• 1 large cucumber, peeled
• 1 cup simple syrup (sugar and water
• ⅓ cup lime juice
• 1 tsp finely grated ginger

Instructions

1. Heat 1 cup of water water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until hot, but do not bring to a boil.
2. Stir in 1 cup of granulated sugar and stir until fully dissolved, and let cool.
3. Purée cucumber with simple syrup, lime juice, and ginger until smooth.
4. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup, pour into moulds, and freeze for at least 6 hours.

Experiment with flavours

Mix it up a bit by adding a dash of one of these ingredients:

• Pureed mango
• Kiwi chunks
• Pineapple Juice
• Mint
• Fresh Ginger

5. Peaches and Honey

Suggested Ingredients

• 1 pound ripe peaches (or about 3 medium peaches), peeled and sliced into wedges
• 2 cups full fat yogurt
• 6 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Dash of sea salt

Instructions

1. Toss the fresh peaches with 2 tbsp of honey and a dash of salt and baked at 350 F for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway, until the peaches are soft and juicy. If you are using canned peaches, skip the baking process.
2. Blend together the yogurt, remainder of the honey, lemon juice and vanilla extract.
3. Scrape the peaches and their juices into yogurt mixture, and fold together.
4. Transfer the blend into the popsicle mould and freeze for at least four hours.

Experiment with flavours

Mix it up a bit by adding a dash of one of these ingredients:

• Whole Blueberries
• Orange Juice
• Cinnamon and Cloves
• Rosemary

6. Iced Mocha

Suggested Ingredients

• 3 cups iced coffee
• ¼ cup frozen avocado chunks
• ½ cup heavy cream or coconut milk
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or maple syrup

Instructions

• In a blender mix avocado with the iced coffee.
• Add cream, cocoa powder and vanilla.
• Pour mixture into popsicle mould and freeze for at least 4 hours.

Experiment with flavours

Mix it up a bit by adding a dash of one of these ingredients:

• Fresh pitted cherries
• Raspberries
• Cinnamon
• Mint
• Nutella
• or substitute the heavy cream for your favourite coffee creamer