With the weather getting nice, you know what that means? It’s time to start enjoying the great outdoors by the pool with family and friends! Who doesn’t love being outside while eating some tasty treats. If there’s one thing for sure, it’s that I LOVE sweets. I can never run away from summer classics like ice cream cones and smoothies. One thing in particular that’s undefeated in the summertime are popsicles for sure! It’s the best way to not only crave your sweet tooth, but simply just cool down from the hot, blazing sun. Imagine this, you are outside on a 90 degree day while holding a homemade fruity ice pop that YOU made. Now that’s the good life!
I started making my own summer popsicles in the summer of last year. At the start of quarantine, I found myself trying out a lot of new things. Making summer popsicles was definitely one of my favorites. Make sure to purchase silicone popsicle molds from either Walmart, Stop & Shop, or even Amazon. I tried using plastic popsicle molds in the past and let me tell you… It was terrible! They ended up just cracking and breaking because they were just too cold. So just make sure to grab any silicone molds instead of plastic. It’s for the better, trust me. I also do not add any sugar to my pops. It is optional to add a tablespoon or 2 of sugar but for me personally, I’m not too big on sugar. Besides these few tips, let’s get started!
Pina Pops
I love pineapples! This was my first creation when making homemade popsicles. I have always been a fan of pineapple flavored sweets of all sorts so it was only right that I made some Pina Pops! Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups pineapple chunks
- 2 tbsp honey
- ¼ cup water
- ⅛ condensed milk
Directions: Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze at least for 5 hours or overnight.
Berry Punch Pops
These pops are not only tasty, but they are packed with protein! Here’s how to make them:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries
- 1 sliced banana
- 1 cup of plain greek yogurt
- ¼ cup of milk
Directions: Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze at least for 5 hours or overnight.
Strawberry Lemonade Pops
Lemonade is good… But STRAWBERRY lemonade is where it’s at! It’s one of my all time favorite drinks so just imagine it in a popsicle form. Here’s the ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups strawberries
- ¼ cup lemonade
- 2 tbsp honey
- ¼ cup plain greek yogurt
Directions: Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze at least for 5 hours or overnight.
These sweet and savory pops will make your summer worthwhile. A couple more tips, try to store your pops as far back in the freezer as possible. Depending on where your pops are stored in the freezer, the time it takes until they are frozen may vary. Also, don’t touch them at all until at least 5 hours have passed by. I have messed up in the past by constantly checking and touching them ruining the impact of the good ol’ freeze techniques. Homemade popsicles definitely taste better than store bought ones by miles but that’s for you to find out for yourself!
Hey everyone! I’m Eddy, a senior majoring in Communications and minoring in Sports Media. I am so happy to be a part of the URI Campus Recreation team! Writing has been a passion of mine since I was little, and I look forward to not only growing as a writer but as a person too. My favorite activities include following the world of sports and playing sports. Whether it’s just reading articles on Bleacher Report or going out to the field, I am always doing something related to sports every second of the day! I played football and tennis in high school while running indoor track and field as well. Sports have always been a key role in my life as they made me who I am today. My favorite teams are the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Timberwolves, and FC Porto. I am a very competitive person and will never back down from any challenge. Always ready to bring out the best of the team and myself!