2009.07.31
Popsicles for ADULTS only!
Do kids still make those Popsicles out of frozen Kool-Aid? With the Tupperware molds? Or am I showing my age now?
Well, even if they don't, it's time for adults to start thinking about making their own Popsicles. The recipes I've found are not for the kiddos, because these are spiked! How cool would a late summer party be if you could pass out these tasty, ever-so-slightly naughty treats?
I got these recipes for Bittersweet Chocolate-Bourbon Pops, Lemon-Vodka Cream Pops and Sparkling Peach Bellini Pops from the Fine Cooking Web site. And these are no Kool-Aid quality recipes, either, they are made with the finest ingredients, such as real peaches, bittersweet chocolate, lemons and heavy cream.
One question: Where do you find Popsicle molds these days? I did a little Googling and found an array of cool shapes and sizes on Amazon.com. Here's the link.
Bittersweet Chocolate-Bourbon Pops
Makes 8 pops
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 1/2 oz. bittersweet chocolate (70% to 72%), chopped
2 Tbsp. Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/8 tsp. table salt
2 Tbsp. good-quality bourbon (like Knob Creek)
2 cups water
Put the sugar, chocolate, cocoa powder, salt, and 2 cups water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Transfer to a 4-cup glass measure (or any container with a spout for easy pouring). Let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Stir in the bourbon and divide the mixture among eight 3-oz. pop molds or wax-lined paper cups. Freeze until just set, about 3 hours. Insert craft sticks and freeze until completely set, about 4 hours more. When ready to serve, unmold or peel off the paper cups.
Lemon-Vodka Cream Pops
Makes 8 pops
3 or 4 medium lemons
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/8 tsp. table salt
2 Tbsp. citron vodka
Using a vegetable peeler, remove all of the zest from 3 of the lemons in 3- to 4-inch-long strips. Set the lemons aside.
Combine the lemon zest, cream, milk, sugar, and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Let steep at room temperature, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
Squeeze 2/3 cup juice from the reserved lemons (juice the fourth lemon, if necessary). Stirring constantly, pour the lemon juice into the cream mixture in a slow stream. Stir in the vodka.
Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a 4-cup glass measure (or any container with a spout for easy pouring), pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Divide the mixture among eight 3-oz. pop molds or wax-lined paper cups. Freeze until just barely set, 5 to 6 hours. Insert craft sticks and freeze until completely set, about 2 hours more. When ready to serve, unmold or peel off the paper cups.
Sparkling Peach Bellini Pops
Makes 10 pops
16 to 18 oz. ripe peaches (about 4 medium), peeled, pitted, and chopped
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2-1/4 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1-1/2 cups Prosecco (a dry, sparkling Italian wine)
Stir the peaches, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer, stirring frequently, until the mixture is thick and syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes. Most of the peaches will have broken down, with some softened chunks remaining.
Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Add the Prosecco and blend briefly to incorporate it. Let the mixture cool to room temperature and then refrigerate until cold.
Divide the mixture among ten 3-ounce pop molds or wax-lined paper cups and freeze until just barely set, about 1-1/2 hours. Insert craft sticks and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours more. When ready to serve, unmold or peel off the paper cups.
All recipes courtesy of Fine Cooking








I do love me a boozy dessert. Am so making these at home.
Comment by Nona Nelson — July 31, 2009 @ 11:10 am
I'll come over for a visit if you guys should want me to sample your creations.
Comment by Heather Froeschl — July 31, 2009 @ 11:12 am
I searched in vain for popsicle molds a couple of weeks ago. I did find some at the Dollar Tree, but the quality is less than stellar. I bought them anyway and am very disappointed! But my mom came to my rescue; she found some that she had used when my brother and I were kids. So now I'm excited to see these recipes!
Comment by Gretchen — July 31, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
Knob Creek?
Perhaps you have not heard about the shortage!
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=110858
Comment by Rich — July 31, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
I have a bottle of sparkling wine and can make a quick trip to the Market for some peaches. I believe I see some Sparkling Peach Bellini Pops in my future.
Comment by Debbie — July 31, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
Rich, perhaps you will have to use Jim Beam instead.
It occurs to me that none of these Popsicles really have enough alcohol in them to hurt anyone (or do any good, depending on your perspective). It's mainly just for flavor.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — July 31, 2009 @ 2:58 pm
too much alcohol wont freeze anyway!
Comment by Kathy — July 31, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
Try Pampered Chef for the molds. That was the last place I found some and they were sturdy.
Comment by ADP — August 1, 2009 @ 12:37 pm
love the molds on that site...we used to make popsicles out of coca~cola and then some were made out of orange juice..not a touch of the alcohol since we were kids but they sure were refreshing !!
Comment by pammala — August 2, 2009 @ 7:12 pm
I LOVE it!
Comment by Amy Hanek — August 3, 2009 @ 11:25 am
When I was a kid, I would send off for the free things on the back of cereal boxes. Once I got a Laurel and Hardy popsicle mold that was awesome. I used it over and over that summer. I wonder if my Mom can find it???
Comment by Melissa — August 4, 2009 @ 1:29 pm