When you come home after a day out in the sweltering heat, we are sure you think about those icy popsicles from your childhood which colored your tongue orange. Those ice candies, loaded with sugar and color could be relished then. Now let’s forward to the updated grown up and healthier version, home-made, natural fruity popsicles which are sure to refresh you instantly without the worry of the additional calories. What’s more you can enjoy making these with your kids at home using the freshest fruits of the season.Make popsicles using our Healthy Alternatives greek yoghurt with the goodness of berries. Blueberries and blackberries, both high in antioxidants are great in the summer. Add in the yoghurt and you have a cooling mix right there. Try these blackberry Ombre popsicles for a richer flavour.
Yogurt Mixture
- 175 ml Healthy Alternatives Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup low-fat milk
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 60 ml reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Blackberry Mixture
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2/3 cup water
- pinch of salt
- 4 cups blackberries
Method:
- Hang the curd in a cloth to drain off excess water for at least 4 hours (or overnight). Combine all the ingredients of the yogurt mixture and process until smooth.
- Bring the water and sugar mixture to a boil until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let it sit aside to cool.
- Once cooled, combine the syrup, lemon juice, salt and blackberries in a processor and puree.
- In one bowl keep pure blackberry mixture, while in the second combine a few table spoons of the yogurt mixture to lighten the colour, and in the third add the entire yogurt mixture.
- Fill the moulds first with the darkest colour mixture, top it with the second and follow up by the third.
- Refrigerate overnight to get delicious blackberry ombre popsicles in the morning.
Finally, you can’t go wrong with watermelon in the summer. This fruit which is so high in water content makes for amazing coolers and is bound to find its way in your fridge this season. Try this delicious Hibiscus and minty watermelon popsicles on a hot summer day. It makes for a nice and simple recipe for a brunch party too.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 inch fresh ginger peeled + finely chopped or grated for
more flavour - 2 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers
- 1/4 cup honey add 1-2 tablespoons more
for a sweeter pop - 4-5 cups fresh watermelon
- 1/4 cup fresh mint you can also use basil
- the juice of 1 lemon
- Boil water in a medium sized pot. Remove from heat and add hibiscus flowers, mint leaves, honey and
ginger and let the flavour seep for 20 minutes. Strain the mixture and discard the remains. - Add watermelon and lemon juice to the blender and blend until smooth. Strain this mixture through a cheesecloth and squeeze out all the juice and discard the pulp.
- Add the mixture to mould and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Run the moulds under hot water for 10 seconds, remove the popsicles and enjoy!
Why not also try the amazing mangoes which are now in season. Alphonso mangoes from Devgad are so sweet and juicy that you wouldn’t want to let go. While they are amazing in smoothies, salads and of course raw, try them in this delicious popsicle recipe. We are sure you wont stop at just one. Throw in some chia seeds too for a healthier version.
Ingredients:
- Produce 1 1/2 cup Mango pieces, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cups Strawberries, fresh or frozen
- Condiments
- 1 tsp Honey
- Nuts & seeds
- 4 tsp Chia seeds
- 1 1/4 cup Coconut water
- First in a blender pulse frozen strawberry pieces with coconut water, honey, chia seeds and nuts (as desired). Keep the mixture aside.
- Blend frozen mango pieces with the remaining with coconut water, honey, chia seeds and nuts (as desired).
- In clean popsicle moulds, put a few spoons of the strawberry mixture, topped with the mango one.
- Repeat until the mould is completely filled.
- Freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight.
Buy the freshest fruits for your DIY popsicles from Nature’s Basket. Shop online or find the store nearest to you on Natures Basket.
