Cool, tart, and bursting with sun-ripened flavor, these Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles are everything you crave on a hot afternoon. With juicy bits of strawberry and an icy lemonade kiss, they’re a breeze to make with just a few classic ingredients—summer refreshment has never tasted (or looked!) so lovely.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Refreshing: Every bite delivers a chill of tangy lemonade and a burst of sweet strawberries—the ideal treat for beating the heat.
- Ridiculously Easy: Just three base ingredients and a popsicle mold—that’s all you need for delicious homemade popsicles, even if you’re short on time.
- Family Approved: Kids absolutely adore both the taste and the hidden strawberry “treasures” at the end of each pop.
- Customizable Fun: From chunky fruit to smooth purees, you can tailor the texture to suit everyone’s mood (or just use up what’s on hand).
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes these Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles so spectacular is the simplicity and quality of each ingredient. Let’s take a peek at how every element brings its own magic—flavor, color, texture, and those all-important summer vibes.
- Simply Lemonade: This ready-to-pour lemonade is perfectly balanced, bright, and tangy—saving you time and dialing up authentic lemonade zing.
- Fresh Strawberries: Diced strawberries add sweet-tart flavor and that gorgeous blush of pink, plus delightful bites of real fruit in every pop.
- Granulated Sugar: Just a touch, sprinkled over the berries, helps draw out their natural juices and makes the fruit extra luscious inside the popsicle.
Variations
The best part about making Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles at home? You’re free to change things up! Whether you’re accommodating allergies, experimenting with flavors, or just using what’s in your fridge, there are tons of ways to make these pops your own.
- Berry Swap: Try blueberries, raspberries, or a medley of mixed berries for a new burst of color and flavor.
- Herbal Twist: Add a few chopped mint or basil leaves for a sophisticated, garden-fresh pop.
- Sparkling Lemonade: Use sparkling lemonade for extra fizz and a slightly softer texture (just let the bubbles settle before freezing).
- Sugar-Free: Substitute a zero-calorie sweetener or simply skip the added sugar for a lighter, naturally sweet pop.
How to Make Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles
Step 1: Macerate the Strawberries
Add your diced strawberries to a small bowl and sprinkle them with sugar. Give them a good stir, then let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes. You’ll see the berries get glossy and juicy—this brings out their sweetness and helps infuse every popsicle with bright strawberry flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Fruit (Chunky or Smooth!)
You can lightly mash a few strawberries for popsicles with both chunks and a little puree, or mash them completely for smoother pops. My family loves the surprise of bigger strawberry pieces at the end, but feel free to adapt the texture to suit your crowd!
Step 3: Fill the Popsicle Molds
Evenly spoon the strawberry mixture into each compartment of your popsicle mold until all the fruit is used up. Try to distribute strawberries as evenly as possible—some will rise or sink during freezing (a fun surprise in each pop!).
Step 4: Pour, Assemble, and Freeze
Pour Simply Lemonade over the strawberries, leaving a little room for expansion as they freeze. Add the mold lid and place the popsicle sticks, making sure they’re centered. Transfer the mold to the freezer and leave undisturbed for several hours, until solidly frozen.
Step 5: Optional—Redistribute Strawberries
If you’d like strawberries throughout the popsicle (rather than just at the base), check the molds after the first 45 minutes to an hour and give each one a gentle stir with the stick to redistribute the fruit. Otherwise, embrace the “pop of strawberry” at the end for an extra special finish!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles
- Berry Maceration Magic: Letting the diced berries rest with sugar draws out their sweet juices, making every bite extra flavorful and preventing icy fruit pieces.
- Even Fruit Distribution: For popsicles with fruit throughout, give each mold a gentle swirl after an hour of freezing to prevent the strawberries from settling at the bottom.
- Mold Release Made Easy: To easily remove popsicles, briefly run the mold under warm water (just 10-15 seconds) and they’ll slide right out—no tugging or breaking!
- Popsicle Stick Perfection: For sticks that stand up straight, insert them after the popsicles have partially frozen for 45–60 minutes, or use a mold with built-in stick slots.
How to Serve Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles
Garnishes
Want to make these even prettier? Before serving, roll the popsicles in a little coarse sugar or top with a paper-thin lemon slice or tiny mint leaf for a playful, Instagram-worthy finish. Even a quick dust of freeze-dried strawberry crumbles adds a vibrant, gourmet pop of color!
Side Dishes
Pair your Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles with a light summer picnic—think tangy fruit salad, lemony potato chips, or a fresh green salad. You’ll love how these pops offer a refreshing break between savory bites or as a cool dessert at any cookout.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, nestle the popsicles in crushed ice on a platter topped with lemon wheels and berries, or stick them into halved lemons for a cheerful display. Wrap the popsicles individually in parchment and tie with twine for a fun “grab-and-go” treat at summer gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once fully frozen, you can remove the popsicles from the mold and store them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Layer them between sheets of parchment to keep them from sticking together and to preserve their prettiness.
Freezing
Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 3 weeks. Just be sure they’re well wrapped to avoid freezer burn or picking up any off flavors. When you’re ready for a treat, they’re ready for you—no thawing needed!
Reheating
Thankfully, reheating isn’t needed for popsicles! If you find your pops are too hard right out of the freezer, simply let one sit at room temperature for a minute or two—it’ll soften up just enough to give you the perfect creamy crunch.
FAQs
-
Can I use homemade lemonade instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Fresh-squeezed homemade lemonade is an excellent substitute in Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles. Just make sure it’s a little on the tangy side for the best flavor, and sweeten to taste before using.
-
Do I need a special popsicle mold?
No fancy mold required! If you don’t have a traditional popsicle mold, try using small paper cups or silicone muffin cups with wooden sticks—just peel away once frozen.
-
Why did my strawberries float to the bottom?
Strawberries naturally rise or sink depending on their density and the thickness of the lemonade. If you want fruit throughout the popsicle, give them a gentle swirl about an hour into freezing to suspend the berries evenly.
-
Can I make Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles ahead for a party?
Yes, these popsicles are perfect for prepping a few days in advance! Store them layered with parchment in a freezer bag or container and serve straight from the freezer for the ultimate summertime crowd-pleaser.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something special about sharing homemade Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles on a sun-drenched day—they’re easy, endlessly lovable, and bound to put a grin on every face. Give them a try and watch your summer instantly become sweeter!
PrintStrawberry Lemonade Popsicles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 popsicles 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles are a refreshing treat perfect for hot summer days. Sweet strawberries mixed with tangy lemonade create a burst of flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Strawberry Mixture:
- 1 cup strawberries, diced
- 1 TBSP sugar
Popsicle Base:
- 1 container Simply Lemonade
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberry Mixture: Combine diced strawberries and sugar in a bowl. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes until juices form. Lightly mash some strawberries while keeping most whole.
- Fill Popsicle Mold: Spoon strawberry mixture equally into popsicle molds. Pour lemonade over the strawberries, leaving space for expansion.
- Freeze: Cover with lid, insert popsicle sticks, and freeze until solid.
Notes
- Some strawberries may float to the bottom of the popsicle. To distribute them evenly, gently stir the mixture while freezing.
- You can adjust the size of strawberry pieces based on preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popsicle
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *