Homemade Popsicles Perfect for July 4th

Makes: 8 popsicles of each flavor
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Freeze time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Easy

Summer is here! That means sunshine, pool parties, and lots of sweating. While the first two are exciting, sweat isn’t exactly the most enjoyable thing our bodies produce. We can’t do a whole lot to control your pit stains and mustache bubbles, but we can help you rehydrate afterward. What follows are two recipes—one for kids, and one for their parents only—that help hydration while also providing a tasty, health-conscious dessert or snack.

Coconut Water Is The Key

All-natural coconut water in combination with sodium is one of the best methods of hydration. In 2002, researchers compared plain water, coconut water, and a standard sports drink to determine the best post-exercise rehydration fluid. While all three showed comparable markers of hydration, the athletes were able to drink more coconut water, while the sports drink and water caused upset stomach or a feeling of fullness.

Coconut water is specifically high in potassium, among other trace minerals. The addition of Himalayan salt makes up for the lower content of sodium in coconut water, and provides 84 trace minerals for electrolyte and fluid balance on those hot summer days.

Kid-Friendly Homemade Popsicles

Ingredients

● 28-34 oz. all-natural or fresh young coconut water*
● Fresh berries**
● Himalayan salt

*Look at the ingredient label to make sure it only reads “coconut water” or “pure, virgin coconut water.” You want to avoid anything that says “from concentrate” or any additional sugars or preservatives added. We love Harvest Bay’s All-Natural Coconut Water.

**Feel free to use any fresh, in-season berries of choice. We used fresh, organic raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries.

Directions

1. If using strawberries, slice into small pieces to fit in the popsicle molds. Add the berries to fill each mold to the top. This is a fun activity for the kids to do! If the blackberries are too big, just slice those up too. I like to alternate berries to display a stacked variety of colors once it freezes up.

2. Then add the coconut water to fill to the top. Add a tiny pinch of Himalayan salt. Insert a popsicle stick, and freeze for 5-6 hours.

3. When ready to eat, run under warm water for about a minute until it easily pops out.

Adult-Friendly Strawberry Rosé Homemade Popsicles

These pops will make you feel like a kid again, but they contain wine, so they’re for adults only.

Adult-Friendly Homemade Popsicles

Ingredients

● Rosé wine
● Fresh, organic strawberries, stems removed
● Seltzer water*

*We used LaCroix naturally-flavored seltzer water, but any unsweetened seltzer will work here.

Directions

1. In a blender, add 2 cups of rosé wine and 6 fresh strawberries. Blend until combined. There will likely be small strawberry particles remaining, but that’s ok. It looks great frozen.

2. Slice up a few strawberries into a size that will fit your popsicle molds. Add strawberry slices to the tops of each mold (you can add blueberries and raspberries too for more color).

3. Fill ¾ of the mold with the rosé-strawberry mixture. Top the rest off with the seltzer water. Leave a little room for these pops to expand slightly when frozen.

3. Cover with tops, and freeze for 5-6 hours.