The best way to cool down in the summer heat with these frozen treats
The best way to cool down in the summer heat with these frozen treats
When the heat cranks up, it’s great to cool down with a frozen treat. Buying high-quality and healthy frozen treats can sometimes be tricky and expensive – so why not check out the recipes below and make your own? Each recipe requires just a few ingredients, takes minutes to make, and requires just a few hours to freeze. You’ll know what went into them, and you can avoid nasty colourings and preservatives that you sometimes get in shop-bought brands. Make a few for a special treat or make a batch and have them on-hand throughout the summer. You can even add alcohol to your ice pops if you want an adult treat – check out the gin and tonic recipe below.
I would suggest using fresh fruit if it’s available to you, although you can use frozen fruit if that is more accessible. However, you may need to add some extra liquid to your fruit mix if using frozen fruit to make the mixture looser and easier to pour into the moulds – I find using coconut milk brings a lovely tropical flavour. You can also use coconut water, which is a great source of electrolytes to aid hydration. One last tip is to use ripe fruit, since the riper the fruit, the sweeter it will be, and you will not need to add any artificial sweeteners.
Summer Fruit Fancies
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of fresh or frozen summer berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.)
- Juice of one lemon
- Half a cup of unsweetened apple juice
- Pinch of Himalayan pink salt
- Agave or honey to taste
Method: 1. Put all the ingredients, except the agave/honey, into a blender and blitz until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a little water or coconut water until you have a pouring consistency. 2. Taste and sweeten if required. 3. Pour into ice pop moulds and freeze for at least three to four hours, but preferably overnight. You can use single berries or combine a variety of berries for a mixed fruit option.
Caribbean Crush
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen mango
- 1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple
- ½ banana
- 1 cup coconut milk
- Agave or honey – to taste
Method: 1. Put the banana and coconut milk into a blender and blend until smooth. 2. Add the mango and pineapple and blend again until you have removed all the lumps of fruit. If the mixture is too thick, add more coconut milk or water until you have a pouring consistency. 3. Taste and sweeten with agave or honey if required. 4. Pour into ice pop moulds and freeze for at least three to four hours, preferably overnight.
Chocolate Peanut Delight
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups almond milk
- 2 large ripe bananas
- 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
- 2 tbs cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
Method: 1. Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. 2. Pour into moulds and freeze for four hours or overnight.
Raspberry & Hibiscus Tea
Ingredients:
- 100g fresh raspberries
- 2 hibiscus tea bags
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Juice of 1 lime
Method: 1. Put the raspberries, tea bags, and maple syrup in a bowl. 2. Pour over 2 cups of boiling water and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. 3. Remove the tea bags, stir in the lime juice, and pour into your moulds. (Note: If using plastic or disposable moulds, let the liquid cool before pouring into them.) 4. Freeze for at least four hours or overnight.
G&T Adult Delight
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup gin
- 1 cup tonic water
- 6 slices of cucumber (optional)
- 6 mint leaves
- 1 tbsp sugar syrup
Method: 1. In a jug or bowl, combine the gin, tonic, and sugar syrup, mixing gently. 2. Put one slice of cucumber (if using) and one torn-up mint leaf into each ice lolly mould, and divide the liquid equally between the moulds. 3. Freeze for at least four hours or overnight.
Ice pop moulds can be easily bought in stores and online, and there are lots to choose from. To be kind to the environment, I suggest using silicon ones that you can reuse. Something like these Lallisa ice cream moulds. Or, if they’re a little pricey for your pocket, you can go for plastic ones that can be recycled, like these Zipzicles available on Amazon. I don’t endorse these brands and haven’t purchased either as I already have some moulds, and I would suggest doing your own research to find something that suits your budget and standards.
If you make any of the recipes or have your own favourite frozen treats recipe, please share in the comments below!
With 30 years of general management experience in the global insurance industry and having lived in 4 countries, Jacqui now spends her time between London and New York where she continues to pursue her passion for writing, food, books and travel. A Reiki practitioner, yogi and huge animal advocate, her home isn’t complete without a furbaby or three. In addition to being a BooknBrunch contributor, she writes for industry publications. Favourite book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
Favourite brunch dish: avocado toast with tomato and chilli
