Perfectly Pink Pops

By Judith Lawrenson

We all know how to make frozen ice cubes. For homemade pops, simply fill an ice tray with your favorite fruit juice. I use orange juice or diet cranberry.

Since this is so easy, why not try a twist?
Add a splash of diet ginger ale or diet sprite to your juice and insert a straw when they are nearly frozen. Crunch it like a Popsicle or use them as ice cubes for drinks. When they melt, they do not dilute your beverage.

To change it up and make it even more flavorful and nutritious, you can make these frozen treats with coconut milk and fresh fruit. I like mashed fresh peaches and blueberries. The combinations are limitless. If you are a lover of pure fruit pops, try simply putting your favorite fruits in the blender and puree, leaving just a few chunks, and pour into ice trays.

Needing something chocolate?
Purée strawberries and pour into tray. Then add a few dark chocolate chips to each cube before freezing. Talk about a classic delicious combination of flavors and still not terrible for you!

Don’t have ice trays?
Use small, clear plastic cups and be sure to stick in a plastic spoon when they are nearly frozen. How easy is that?

Finally, how about a DIY frozen cocktail?
This is another quick and easy idea that goes over perfectly for a pre-barbecue drink. Simply pour your favorite fruity cocktail into a shallow plastic bowl. Mojito, cosmopolitan, margarita and piña colodas are all good options. Put the bowl in the freezer and stir every 20 minutes or so until it is frozen enough to scoop like a snow cone. Serve in a martini glass with fancy garnish and it’s an instant hit.