Long a summer staple, Popsicles and “Poptails” aka Boozy Popsicles are one of the great gifts of summer. Popsicles for long have been considered a kid’s summer treat, but over the past few years these frozen treats on a stick have found their way to happy hours across the country.
With or without booze, Popsicles are an extraordinary way to enjoy your summer harvests.
The frozen treat we all refer to as Popsicles is quickly becoming a favorite happy hour treat, referred to as a “poptail,” “boozy ice pop,” or “boozy popsicle”.
Whatever you call them, these frozen treats represent the best of summer, taking favorite flavors and transforming them into something really tasty – in this case the star of a cocktail party or happy hour.
Popsicles date all the way back to 1905- over a century of keeping us happy with cool refreshing flavors.
The first popsicle was invented (by accident) by eleven-year-old Frank Epperson when he left a cup filled with powdered soda, water, and a stirring stick on his San Francisco front porch. That night it was cold, the mixture froze, and the summertime favorite we love today was born. Everyone has their favorite, yet Cherry keeps the top spot as America’s favorite popsicle.
The original seven flavors that started our love affair with these frozen treats were root beer, cherry, lemon, orange, banana, grape, and watermelon. Another interesting fact to note, the dual popsicle featuring two sticks and one popsicle that can be split in half was introduced during the Great Depression as a way to split the treat across two children for the same cost. Over 2 Billion popsicles are consumed each year and that number is going up with the quickly growing love affair of the boozy popsicle.
As it happens, home mixologists and home chefs are learning that Popsicles can take on many roles, that of desert after a big dinner, summertime happy hour, or the perfect way to enjoy a cool breakfast on a hot summer morning. Today, popsicles and the boozy popsicle are having a bit of a moment as the ideal summer treat for adults and kids alike with so many of us staying close to home due to COVID-19.
Driven by the summer heat, our fond memories of the frozen snack, and all the harvests from our Cocktail Garden and Some Like It Hot Garden, the team went to work creating and taste-testing some creative frozen flavor combinations.
The flavor possibilities are endless, from mint and lemon verbena to sage and jalapeños, you can be as creative with your popsicles and boozy popsicles as you are with your cocktails. While mixologists all over the country are enjoying a surge in creative cocktailing, our team pulled together fresh ingredients from our gardens as their muse.
When we asked our team what they thought of boozy popsicles and to share their favorite creation, it was like watching the popsicle version of “I’ll have what she’s having”, from the film When Harry Met Sally. With only a few ingredients and some time, you can make your own frozen treat with or without the booze.
“Popsicles are still one of the easiest ways to get creative in the kitchen, using fresh harvests from the garden combined with favorite juices, fruits and spirits.” Cait Dunn
” We love herb-infused popsicles. The fresh taste of herbs mixed with the sweetness of seasonal berries and fruits is perfection on a stick. And when you add a few of your favorite spirits to the equation, you have happy hour ready go”
Beth Susens Chief Fun Officer for Gardenuity.
The entire Gardenuity team loved the idea of bringing natural ingredients to the popsicle party. The fresh basil mixed with strawberries and a little tequila and tonic was a huge hit. Another taste test favorite was the Merry Mint Mojito boozy popsicle.
Poptails aka boozy popsicles bring a childhood favorite to happy hour.
Here are some basic notes to keep in mind when creating your own Boozy Popsicle
- Keep the mixer to spirit ratio at 4:1, since as we all know liquor does not freeze well; using the lower proportion will enable your ice pop to freeze.
- If your mold does not have built in sticks, freeze the pops for about an hour before inserting the sticks.
- Each recipe will take a different time to freeze depending on the amount of alcohol and your freezer. Overnight is always the best option.
- Simple Syrups are great in Boozy Popsicles. From jalapeño simple syrup to herbal simple syrups this is the perfect way to sweeten up your boozy cocktail.
So armed with our blender and a popsicle mold, the team found and created a few popsicle favorites. Here, find 4 recipes for fabulous frozen goodness.
Non-boozy Ice Pop Picks
The Lucy- Lavender and Lemonade Popsicle
Pick it Please- Strawberry and Mint Popsicle
Boozy Popsicle favorites
The Merry Mint Julep- Bourbon, Mint Simple Syrup
Licks & Sticks- Pineapple Jalapeño Poptail
