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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! Using this easy recipe, I will show you how to make homemade popsicles. This kid-friendly recipe is made with real fruit, similar to my strawberry popsicle and natural fruit popsicle recipes.
If 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 up any extra lemons. If you only have a couple of lemons, adjust the ratios to make a smaller batch.
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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 dissolved when combined with the 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
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.
Blend
Place the lemon in sugar in a bowl and whisk together until thoroughly combined. Add the water and whisk again to combine.
Mold and Freeze
Pour the mixture into your mold, top, and insert the popsicle stick. Freeze for 6 hours.
Unmold
To unmold the popsicles, run warm to hot water over the mold for 30 seconds. Gently release the popsicle from the mold.
Watch How to Make this Recipe
Substitutions and Variations
Spices and Herbs - Here are some recommendations if you would like to add complexity to the flavor profile. Add the herbs during the blending stage.
- Ginger - One teaspoon of minced ginger
- Basil - Add 4 - 5 fresh basil leaves.
- Mint - Add 4 - 5 fresh mint leaves.
Creamsicle With Yogurt - For a creamy popsicle, replace the water with 1 cup of non-dairy yogurt or regular yogurt when mixing.
Creamy With Milk - For a mildly creamy popsicle, replace the water with 1 cup of non-dairy milk or regular milk when mixing. For a hint of tropical flavor, use coconut milk.
Additional Fruit - Substitute other fruit at a 1:1 ratio for an extra layer of flavor. Fruits that pair well include kiwi, bananas, peaches, and papayas.
Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles - Wash and hull enough strawberries for a ¼ cup of liquid. Cut the strawberries in ½, toss with white sugar and let stand for 20 minutes. Place in a blender and puree until smooth. Proceed with the recipe as written, but use ¼ cup strawberry liquid and ¼ cup fresh lemon juice.
Boozy - Like a jello shot recipe, replace a portion of the water with vodka. I would limit the amount of vodka to ¼ cup.
Try One of My Other Homemade Popsicle Recipes
Storing
To avoid freezer burn, always use an airtight freezing method.
Airtight Container - Line an airtight storage container with wax or parchment paper. Lay the popsicles on top of the paper. Continue to add paper before each layer—store popsicles for up to one month.
Freezer Bag - Wrap each popsicle in plastic wrap and place it inside a plastic bag for one month.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Unmolding Popsicles - Frozen popsicles tend to become stuck within the mold. If this happens, run the mold under warm to hot 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.
Color - For a pop of color, add 3 -4 drops of yellow gel food coloring.
FAQs
Popsicles generally will freeze in four 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.
Recipe
Lemonade Popsicles
Equipment
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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