Booze Up A Nostalgic Icy Treat With The Best Summertime Hack Yet
One of the quintessential summer treats is ice-cold popsicles. Tubular freezer pops have been a staple of pool parties and lazy backyard days for generations, offering a refreshing respite from the sweltering heat. One particularly clever way to take these frozen childhood favorites to the next level is by adding booze with an easy hack suited for cocktail lovers.
Simply snag your favorite pack of popsicles (the long thin ones in plastic), let them melt, and then cut off one end. Pour out some liquid, add a splash of your favorite alcohol, and seal it by pinching the top with a straightening iron. Before long, you'll have boozy ice pops perfect for pool parties or sipping on during muggy days on the patio.
It's a fun way to incorporate some adult beverages into your summertime snacking. Plus, they're supremely customizable: lime-flavored popsicles with a splash of tequila for a truly frozen marg, rum-soaked pineapple and coconut for poolside piña colada popsicles, cherry amaro, limoncello, or even vodka-strawberry pops. The sky appears to be the limit, as a scroll through TikTok shows. When you're ready to stock up on your favorite frozen treats and get experimenting, there's no shortage of alcohol-infused pairings to try.
The best alcohol to use for boozy ice pops
With this handy hack that only requires some ice pops, scissors, and a straightening iron, your next task is to figure out what kind of alcohol you'll add to your frozen treats. While you could technically use anything alcoholic (Coors even has beer popsicles), choosing the right spirit is crucial.
@just_jay2day shot popsicle #alcohol #relax #fun #drink #diydrinks #alcoholpopsicle #enjoylife #behappy #beyourself #smile #YouGottaLive #weekendvibes #weekends
One of the most popular options for boozy ice pops is tequila. Pair it with a citrusy flavor like lime or orange, and you've got an ideal margarita-esque popsicle. Another great tequila pairing? Pineapple, which makes for a fantastic homage to a cocktail known as the matador. Thanks to its sweetness, rum is another winner. Pair light rum with coconut or pineapple and you've got a piña colada pop that'll transport you straight to the beach. Or, go for a classic Dark & Stormy flavor by mixing dark rum with ginger beer and a lime popsicle. Vodka is the versatile choice that pairs well with anything, from watermelon to cucumber to lemonade. Try mixing it with cranberry or grapefruit for a tart and clean-tasting popsicle that'll be just as strong as it is refreshing.
How much alcohol should you be adding? Again, it's up to you. However, a good rule of thumb is to think of each popsicle as one drink, so a shot is probably ideal. Remember to shake the pop to mix the flavors and then gently seal it with the straightening iron on a lower setting.
Other ways to create alcoholic popsicles
What if you don't have a hair iron or can't find the right kind of pops needed to complete this particular summertime hack? Thankfully, regular popsicle molds work just fine. Giada De Laurentiis offers up enticing boozy watermelon popsicles on Giadzy featuring 3 pounds of peeled watermelon (cut into 1-inch chunks), ¼ cup of sugar, ¾ cup of watermelon-flavored vodka (she specifically recommends Smirnoff's Twist of Watermelon if you can find it), and ½ cup of fresh, chopped mint leaves.
Combining the first three ingredients in a blender until smooth and adding the mint with just one pulse at the end will mix it nicely. You'll then want to pour the mixture into the popsicle molds of your choosing. Make sure not to overfill them, leaving a little space at the top to allow for expansion as the mixture freezes. Insert popsicle sticks into the molds. Then, place them in the freezer for several hours or overnight, depending on the size of your molds. When you're ready to indulge, simply remove your popsicles from the molds and enjoy your boozy frozen bounty.
Whether you opt for homemade treats, store-bought alcoholic popsicles, or the simple ice pop hack above, you can pack your popsicles into a cooler to take on summer outings or serve them straight from the freezer. Just remember to take it slow — their strength can sneak up on you.