I think we can all agree on two things this summer. One, it’s hot and two, we could use some levity.

So this week, I whipped up something for you all that is light and cool. Enjoy these homemade popsicles!

 

An Ode to the Homemade Pop

Homemade popsicles are a low calorie fun way to squeeze in some fruit intake. Similar to last month’s Light Summer Nacho’s, these popsicles are another kitchen sink recipe. Below I offer you a creative take on a Pina Colada popsicle and a satisfyingly tart Raspberry Lime popsicle. Remember the recipes I’m sharing are just a start. Once you have the basics of these popsicles down you can create your own recipe with what you have in your house. Grind up those old blueberries or peaches you have sitting around. Why not? 

You have a few options for popsicle molds. I went ahead and purchased a BPA-Free popsicle mold. For a more economical approach you can use recyclable cups or dixie cups, and popsicle sticks. If you don’t care about a traditional popsicle shape then there are a few household items that make great DIY models. You could try ice cube trays, used small yogurt containers, or muffin tins lined with foil wrappers. 

Summer Popsicles 

Simple Syrup 

An important base to this recipe is simple syrup. The most common ratio for simple syrup is 1 to 1, but you can adjust for a sweeter syrup by adding more sugar.

Ingredients

• ½ Cup Sugar
• ½ Cup Water

Directions

1. Add the sugar and water to a pot and mix until the sugar is completely dissolved. 
2. Let the water and sugar boil for about 6 minutes. 
3. Set aside to cool. 

Raspberry Lime Popsicles 

Yield: about six popsicles

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 Cup Raspberries
• 2 Cups Raspberry Lime Spindrift or other Sparkling Water
• 3 Tablespoons Simple Syrup
• ½ Cup Raspberries
• 1 Handful of Mint 
• 1 Tablespoon of Sugar

Directions

1. Add 1 ½ cup raspberries, Raspberry Lime sparkling water and 3 tablespoons simple syrup to a blender.* 
2. Chop up the remaining raspberries and mint, as finely as possible. 
3. Here you can either sprinkle sugar onto the raspberries or for sweeter popsicles you can create a quick raspberry and simple sugar syrup by heating the simple sugar and raspberries for 6 minutes on the stove. 
4. Pour your blended mixture into the popsicle mold leaving enough space to add the additional raspberries. 
5. Top with raspberries. There should be additional space to allow for expansion of your popsicles. 
6. Freeze.

*Note: If you have a NutriBullet, then the carbonation in the sparkling water will cause a mess. So be careful!

Pina Colada 

Yield: about six popsicles.

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Pineapple 
• 1 Cup Coconut Milk
• 1 Cup Coconut Water
• 1 Teaspoon Cardamom 
• 3 Tablespoons Simple Syrup
• ⅓ Cup Pineapple for Garnish

Directions

1. Blend 1 cup pineapple, coconut milk, coconut water, cardamom and simple syrup together. 
2. Chop up the ⅓ cup pineapple. 
3. Pour blended mixture into the popsicle mold leaving enough space to add the additional pineapples. 
4. Top with pineapple. There should be additional space to allow for expansion of popsicles. 
5. Freeze.

Check out other recipes on the Yoga District Blog!