Cool Down With Easy Three-Ingredient Popsicles

by Fayeruz Regan 07.2024

July is when the dog days of summer kick in, and Richmonders get creative about ways to cool down. Drive through the Fan District and you’ll see VCU students stewing in balcony kiddie pools. In the James, every rock at Pony Pasture is spoken for.

In Bellevue, the haunting music of an approaching ice cream trucks sees kids streaming out of bungalows, ready to lose their babysitting money at $4 or $5 a pop. But you can enjoy sweet treats at a fraction of the cost (and the sugar!), with homemade popsicles. If you don’t have popsicle molds, you can buy disposable sleeves at the grocery store. Though I suggest getting the reusable molds, as you will make your money back in a couple of batches, and modern popsicle molds have fun shapes. 

Homemade popsicles are a delicious way to combat food waste. Whether you have a bumper crop of cantaloupe, or you are nowhere near getting through that Costco bag of cherries, there is a popsicle recipe that will make the most out of summer’s sweetness. 

These guilt-free confections are perfect for a hot July day, and require just three ingredients. One version is sweet and creamy, the other is tart and refreshing.

Summer and simple syrup

The one ingredient you do need for homemade popsicles, is simple syrup. Since homemade popsicles require zero cooking, you need sugar that has already been melted so that the sweetness isn’t grainy. To me, simple syrup is a summertime staple. It’s the best way to sweeten up already-cold drinks, such as iced tea, iced coffee, lemonade and cocktails!

It’s easy to make. Simply stir equal parts sugar and water (one cup of each, for instance) in a sauce pan on low heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow to cool, so that the container doesn’t get condensation. Once cool, pour into an airtight jar. Some say it lasts for a month, but I’ve stretched it out much longer.

Now that you have that simple syrup, let’s get to these easy recipes!

Strawberries and cream popsicles

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of Strawberries (hulled)

• ½ cup cream 

• ¾ cup simple syrup

Instructions:

• Puree the strawberries in a food processor.

• Transfer to a bowl and mix in the simple syrup.

• Stir well, then add cream.

• Stir, then taste. If the flavor seems a little flat, add a tablespoon of lemon juice. It’s a great flavor enhancer. If it needs more sweetness, add a dash of simple syrup.

• Pour into molds, leaving a bit of room at the top for the mixture to expand. Freeze for at least four to five hours.

Grapefruit mint popsicles

Ingredients:

• Six ruby red grapefruit

• 2/3 cup simple syrup (to start)

• A handful of fresh mint (dried won’t work, texture-wise)

Instructions:

• Juice the grapefruit, and know that pulp is your friend.

• Chop the mint in a food processor until fine.

• Add grapefruit juice and mint to a bowl with the simple syrup.

• Mix and sample with a spoon (no double-dipping!). The level of tartness varies greatly with grapefruit, so if 2/3 cup of simple syrup isn’t enough, add more.

• When the taste works, pour into the molds, leaving room at the top, since ice expands. 

• Don’t feel bad about the greater part of the mint rising to the top. When the mint was chopped it released strong oils that flavored the whole mixture. 

• Freeze for 4-5 hours and enjoy!

The obvious benefits of homemade popsicles (healthier and more economical) are just the tip of the iceberg. One of the best things about creating your own frozen treats is how inventive they can be. Strawberries and cream is great, but did you know you can make a strawberry balsamic popsicle? Or a strawberry basil version? Recipes exist for all these things. Experiment, and have fun with it!

When we have a batch of bananas going soft, we swear we will bake them into banana bread.But who wants a hot kitchen in the summer? Instead, mix the bananas with peanut butter, cocoa powder and a dash of syrup and cream, and voila! A creamy, chocolatey, protein-filled popsicle!

Please note: When using popsicle molds that aren’t silicone, it can sometimes be hard to pull the popsicle stick out of the mold. Don’t force it, or the stick will pull out with nothing attached to it! Simply run hot water over the mold on both sides, and it will slide out smoothly. 

Stay cool out there.