by Pamela Morgan, Flirting with Flavors

I don’t know about you, but when it’s hot and sticky outside, my mind goes straight to popsicles.  If I’m craving something sweet and refreshing, but not too heavy, homemade fresh fruit ice pops are my go-to snack.

With homemade popsicles, you never have to worry about any preservatives or suspicious ingredients. I like to add a little bit of maple syrup to sweeten things up, but you can make yours as sweet as you’d like.

Once you have the technique down, you’ll be able to make popsicles out of just about anything. This handy popsicle holder does the trick. Here are three of my favorite icy combinations to try out this summer!

Minty Watermelon Popsicles

If you love watermelon mojitos, you’ll want to try these minty watermelon popsicles.

• Prep Time: 10m
• Total Time: 10m

• Serves: 3
• Yield: 3 popsicles

Ingredients

• 2 cups watermelon, diced
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/2 cup coconut water
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions

1. In a blender, puree 2 cups diced watermelon pieces, mint leaves, coconut water, lime juice and 2 T maple syrup.
2. Pour and evenly divide them among the popsicle molds.
3. Freeze for at least 6 hours, or overnight.

Mango Lime Popsicles

The next time tacos are on the dinner menu, break out these mango lime popsicles for dessert. You won’t regret it!

• Prep Time: 10m
• Total Time: 10m

• Serves: 3
• Yield: 3 popsicles
• Category: Summer

Ingredients

• 1 cup mango, diced (can be frozen)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/2 cup coconut water
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions

1. Puree in food processor or blender.
2. Pour and evenly divide into popsicle molds.
3. Freeze for 4 hrs or overnight.

Strawberry Coconut Milk Popsicles

These fruity treats are my personal version of strawberries and cream. Yum!

• Prep Time: 10m
• Total Time: 10m

• Serves: 3
• Yield: 3 popsicles
• Category: Summer

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled
• 1 cup coconut milk (full fat)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Instructions

1. Combine in a food processor or blender.
2. Pour and evenly divide into popsicle molds.
3. Let freeze for 4 hrs or overnight.

Cookbook author and entertaining expert, Pamela Morgan is the owner of NYC based Flirting with Flavors, where she offers exclusive cooking parties, inspirational seminars and special events. She is highly regarded as a special event planner, culinary consultant, cookbook author, and is a food & entertaining editor for Hamptons’s Cottages and Gardens.   Pamela sees food as a flirtation: sexy, provocative, and a little mysterious. Her desire is to teach you how to flirt your way into a full on passion for cooking and entertaining! Visit her web site for recipes, entertaining inspiration and much more.