By Renee Long and Tiffany Stout
As the temperature spikes and the sun stays out late into the evening, our herbal gardens ripen and we know summer has made its long-awaited return.
With the heat of summer comes the temptation for icy sweet treats; synthetically flavored ice cream, slushies, Italian ice, and other sugary products abound. But while you “chill out,” it’s nice to have yummy, healthy, holistic alternatives to the sugary temptations of summer.
Enter fruity herbal ice pops! These refreshing icy delights are made entirely from natural herbs and fresh, seasonal fruit. We wanted to add a bit of creamy goodness to a few of the recipes, so you’ll see some of them include unsweetened Greek yogurt. The best part: since there are so few ingredients, you can feel good about handing these out to the kids at the Independence Day picnic. No sugar crash necessary.
In our video, we show you how to make a basic fruity herbal ice pop recipe. The rest of this blog post has six more refreshing ice pop recipes for you to try. Enjoy!
A few notes before you start blending: Each recipe makes ice pop filling for six, 2.5-ounce pops. If you don’t have ice pop molds, just add the filling to small cups, cover with a layer of plastic wrap, and pierce sticks through the plastic wrap… and voilà! Homemade ice pop molds.
Blueberries: 2 cups
Unsweetened Greek yogurt: 2 cups
Basil Ocimum basilicum (fresh): about 5 leaves, or add to taste
Salt: A pinch
Blend ingredients until smooth. Add filling to ice pop molds. Freeze overnight. When ready to serve, run ice pop mold under warm water for easy removal.
Strawberries: 2 cups
Unsweetened Greek yogurt: 2 cups
Basil Ocimum basilicum (fresh): about 5 leaves, or add to taste
Salt: A pinch
Blend ingredients until smooth. Add filling to ice pop molds. Freeze overnight. When ready to serve, run ice pop mold under warm water for easy removal.
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia and chamomile Matricaria recutita infusion: 1½ cups
Unsweetened Greek yogurt: 2 cups
Honey: Two tablespoons
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia flowers dried: A pinch
To make a lavender/chamomile infusion, place 1½ tablespoons of herb in a ceramic or glass teapot. Pour 1½ cups of boiling water over the herb, and steep for 10 minutes.
Allow the infusion to cool before adding yogurt. Blend ingredients until smooth. Add filling to ice pop molds. Freeze overnight. When ready to serve, run ice pop mold under warm water for easy removal.
NOTE: Do not use honey with infants younger than one year old as there have been reports of botulism spores in honey and this can be fatal in infants.
Cherries (pitted): 2 cups
Marion berries: 2 cups
Mint Mentha spp. dried (we chose spearmint): 1-2 tablespoons
Blend ingredients until smooth. Add filling to ice pop molds. Freeze overnight. When ready to serve, run ice pop mold under warm water for easy removal.
Alternatively, you can make a mint infusion rather than adding mint directly into the mixture. See directions for infusion above.
Mango: 3 cups
Filtered water: ½ cup
Strawberry: 3 medium-sized berries
Cayenne pepper: ½ teaspoon
Blend ingredients until smooth. Add filling to ice pop molds. Freeze overnight. When ready to serve, run ice pop mold under warm water for easy removal.
Strawberries: 3 cups
Filtered water: ½ cup
Mint Mentha spp. dried (we chose spearmint Mentha spicata): 1-2 tablespoons
Blend ingredients until smooth. Add filling to ice pop molds. Freeze overnight. When ready to serve, run ice pop mold under warm water for easy removal.
Alternatively, you can make a mint infusion rather than adding mint directly into the mixture. See directions for infusion above.
What herbal/fruit combinations will you try? Tell us in the comments!
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.
Disclosure of Material Connection: We are employees for American College of Healthcare Sciences, the Institution that publishes this blog. However, all opinions are our own. This blog may contain affiliate links. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”