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Homemade lemonade popsicles, sometimes called lemon popsicles or lemon ice pops, are a light and refreshing treat. Made with three simple ingredients. Enjoy this frozen treat on a hot summer day or year-round (why limit yourself to a hot day?) This straightforward recipe is made in five minutes + six hours of freezing time.
Move over store-bought lemonade popsicles; I have the real thing! I will show you how to make homemade popsicles using this easy recipe. This kid-friendly recipe is made with real fruit, similar to my strawberry popsicle and natural fruit popsicle recipes.
Suppose this is your first time making lemonade. Be prepared to have your mind blown. Ok, maybe a bit dramatic. But lemonade is so easy to make that there is no reason to buy it at the store again.
In addition, using this lemonade popsicle recipe is a great way to use any extra lemons. Adjust the ratios to make a smaller batch if you only have a couple of lemons.
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Ingredients and Equipment- What you Need
Lemon Juice - Always use fresh lemon juice to balance out the flavor. I stand firm on this point. Bottled lemon juice is not the same.
Lemon Zest - Optional - Add the zest of one lemon to the recipe for a more robust lemon flavor.
Sweetener - I use a simple white sugar to make this recipe. The sugar easily dissolves when combined with lemon juice. Make a simple syrup for a slightly sweeter result by combing the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Stir over low heat until the sugar has dissolved.
Water - Use cold water, either tap or bottled.
Popsicle Mold - There are several ice pop molds available on Amazon. I used a silicone mold that I purchased on Amazon. My favorite popsicle mold is this stainless steel mold. An alternative is to use paper cups, Dixie cups, or even an ice cube tray. This old-school style always makes me smile!
Popsicle Sticks - I like to use simple wooden sticks found on Amazon. They are also called craft sticks.
Instructions - Step by Step
Step One: Prepare the Lemons -
Cut the lemons in half and squeeze out the juice. Always use fresh lemons. Bottled lemon juice does not taste the same.
Step Two: Blend -
Place the lemon in sugar in a bowl and whisk together until thoroughly combined. Add the water and whisk again to combine.
Step Three: Mold and Freeze -
Pour the mixture into your mold, top, and insert the popsicle stick. Freeze for 6 hours.
Step Four: Unmold -
Run warm to hot water over the mold to unmold the popsicles for 30 seconds. Gently release the popsicle from the mold.
Substitutions and Variations
| Variation/Substitute | Description |
|---|---|
| Blueberry | Add fresh blueberries to the popsicle mixture for a fruity twist. |
| Creamy | Add ¾ cup yogurt to create a creamy texture. |
| Grapefruit | Use grapefruit juice instead of water for a tangy flavor. |
| Herbs | Add flavor complexity with herbs such as basil or mint. |
| Lime | See this recipe if you want to make a lime or limeade popsicle. |
| Peach | Add fresh peach chunks to the popsicle mixture for a sweet and tart taste. |
| Raspberry | Add fresh raspberries to the popsicle mixture for a sweet and tart twist. |
| Strawberry | Add fresh strawberries to the popsicle mixture for a sweet and tangy flavor. |
| Tequila | Add tequila for a boozy twist. Limit the tequila to ¼ cup. |
| Vodka | Want something milder than tequila? Use vodka instead. Limit the vodka to ¼ cup. |
| Watermelon | Add fresh watermelon chunks to the popsicle mixture for a refreshing flavor. |
Try One of My Other Homemade Popsicle Recipes
Expert Tips and Tricks
Add texture and variety: Add texture and variety by incorporating fresh fruit chunks. Berries taste great, as well as mango and pineapple.
Boost the Color - For a pop of color, add 3 -4 drops of yellow gel food coloring.
Popsicle mold: Invest in a quality mold to make uniform and easy-to-handle popsicles. Silicone molds are a great option as they are easy to use and clean.
Run the mold under warm water: To remove the popsicles from the mold, run it under warm water for a few seconds to loosen them up.
Unmolding Popsicles - Frozen popsicles tend to become stuck within the mold. If this happens, run the mold under warm water for 30 seconds. After that, gently pull the popsicle from the mold. If the popsicle does not release, repeat in 15-second increments until it frees. Use caution not to get water in the mold.
FAQs
Popsicles generally will freeze in four-six hours. After they are frozen, unmold the popsicles and savor them or store them to enjoy them later.
Yes, they are very healthy. Homemade ice pops are made with fresh fruit and have little natural sweeteners, making them very beneficial.
Yes, absolutely. Canned, powdered, or concentrated frozen lemonade is also refreshing as a popsicle.
Line an airtight storage container with parchment or wax paper. Neatly line the container with a row of popsicles. Lay another piece of parchment or wax paper and repeat in layers until the container is full. Store in the freezer for up to three months.
Recipe
Lemonade Popsicles
Equipment
- Popsicle mold
- 6 - 8 Popsicle sticks
Ingredients
- ½ cup lemon juice (122g)
- ½ cup sugar (100g)
- 1.5 cups cold water (355ml)
Instructions
- Cut the lemons in half and squeeze out the juice.½ cup lemon juice (122g)
- Place the lemon juice in sugar in a bowl and whisk together until fully combined. Add the water and whisk again to combine.½ cup sugar (100g), 1.5 cups cold water (355ml)
- Pour the mixture into your mold, top, and insert the popsicle stick. Freeze for 6 hours.
- To unmold the popsicles, run warm to hot water over the mold for 30 seconds. Gently release the popsicle from the mold.
Video
Notes
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