If you’re looking for a refreshing treat that captures the essence of summer, this Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles Recipe is an absolute game-changer. I love this recipe because it’s so simple yet bursts with the bright flavors of fresh strawberries and tangy lemonade, making it perfect for hot days or whenever you need a little sunshine in your snack time.
You’ll find that this Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles Recipe isn’t just tasty—it’s also incredibly easy to customize and quick to prepare. When I first tried this, my kids went crazy for the natural sweetness and the small strawberry bits that add texture. Trust me, once you give this a whirl, it’ll become your go-to favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh and Simple: Uses just a few real ingredients for a clean, bright flavor you can trust.
- Kid-Friendly: My family goes nuts for the sweet strawberry pops throughout the popsicle.
- Quick Prep Time: Ready to freeze in about 10 minutes—perfect for last-minute treats.
- Customizable Texture: Whether you want chunks or puree, you control how strawberry-y each bite is.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All you need for this Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles Recipe are fresh, simple ingredients that bring the best parts of summer right to your freezer. Picking ripe strawberries and a quality lemonade will really elevate the final flavor.
- Simply Lemonade: Choose your favorite brand or homemade lemonade for the perfect balance of tart and sweet.
- Strawberries: Fresh and ripe strawberries give these popsicles their bright color and natural sweetness.
- Sugar: Just a bit to help the strawberries release their juice and sweeten things up effortlessly.
Variations
I love playing around with this Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles Recipe to keep things fun and suited to whatever mood I’m in. You’ll enjoy testing out different tweaks or substitutions to find your perfect version.
- Use Honey Instead of Sugar: I tried swapping sugar for honey once and loved the subtle floral sweetness it adds—it’s a great natural alternative.
- Add Fresh Mint: Throwing in a few mint leaves gives this recipe a refreshing herbal twist that’s awesome on scorching days.
- Pureed Strawberries: For a smoother texture, blend your strawberries before adding them. My kids preferred this for easier eating.
- Make It Sparkling: Mix your lemonade with sparkling water for popsicles that fizz slightly. It’s surprisingly delightful!
How to Make Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles Recipe
Step 1: Sweeten and Prep the Strawberries
Start by dicing your fresh strawberries and tossing them in a small bowl with the sugar. Let them sit for about 5 to 10 minutes so they start releasing their natural juices—this is a little trick I discovered that really boosts the flavor. I usually mash a few berries gently to get some texture, but you can keep them whole or puree them to your liking. This step is key to getting that nice little burst of strawberry flavor in each popsicle.
Step 2: Fill the Popsicle Molds
Once your strawberry mixture is ready, spoon it evenly into your popsicle molds. Try to distribute the berries so each popsicle gets a good amount—my kids love finding the little strawberry pockets as they eat. Then, carefully pour just enough lemonade over the berry mixture, leaving a little room at the top to allow for expansion as the popsicles freeze. This method keeps everything neat and flavorful.
Step 3: Freeze and Final Touches
Pop the lids on your molds, insert the sticks, and freeze until solid. I’ve noticed that some strawberries tend to sink to the bottom, but that’s just part of the charm—we actually like having the fruit cluster at the end of the popsicle! If you want the strawberries distributed evenly, you can gently stir the mixture once or twice during the freezing process, but I usually skip this step for convenience. It’s all about what works best for you and your schedule.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles Recipe
- Use Ripe Strawberries: The sweeter your strawberries, the less sugar you’ll need—plus, the flavor really shines through.
- Let the Sugar Work Its Magic: Waiting 5-10 minutes for the strawberries to macerate releases more juice and sweetness, making a tastier popsicle.
- Don’t Overfill the Molds: Leave a bit of space at the top for expansion to avoid messy freezer spills.
- Skip Stirring for Chunky Pops: If you like little bursts of strawberry at the end of your popsicle, just freeze without stirring.
How to Serve Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles Recipe
Garnishes
Personally, I don’t usually garnish popsicles since they’re meant to be handheld and refreshing, but sometimes I like to serve them with a sprig of fresh mint or a thin lemon slice on the side for a pretty presentation. If you’re serving these for a party, a small bowl of extra fresh strawberries adds a lovely touch and lets everyone customize their popsicles even more.
Side Dishes
These Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles pair wonderfully with light summer dishes like grilled chicken salads, fresh fruit bowls, or even a batch of your favorite light snacks like nut mix or veggie chips. I like having a fresh fruit plate ready—it keeps the whole vibe fun, healthy, and perfectly summery.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, I’ve tried arranging the popsicles in a tall glass filled with ice cubes and lemon wedges—that way they stay cold and look inviting. You can even dip the tops in a thin layer of melted white chocolate or roll them in crushed graham crackers for a fun twist that tastes like a strawberry lemonade pie on a stick.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftover popsicles (though that rarely happens here!), store them in an airtight container or a sealable freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn and keep them tasting fresh. I like to separate popsicles with parchment paper if stacking to avoid sticking together.
Freezing
These popsicles freeze beautifully and hold their shape well for several weeks. I usually keep them in the coldest part of my freezer and consume within a month for best flavor. A quick tip: Let them sit at room temperature for just 2-3 minutes before serving to make removal from the mold easier.
Reheating
Since these are frozen treats, reheating isn’t really needed, but if you want a softer serve, just let them thaw on the counter for a bit. They soften up quickly, making them easier to bite without losing that fresh flavor.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work well—just thaw them first and drain any excess liquid so your popsicles don’t get too icy or watered down. This still preserves that lovely strawberry flavor.
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Do I need to add sugar to the strawberries?
Adding sugar is optional but recommended to help macerate the strawberries and bring out their natural juices. If your berries are super sweet, you could reduce or skip the sugar to keep it lighter.
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How long do these popsicles take to freeze?
They usually take about 4 to 6 hours to freeze completely, but I prefer to leave them overnight just to be sure they’re solid all the way through.
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Can I make these popsicles sugar-free?
Yes! You can omit sugar or substitute it with natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit. Just remember your strawberries should be ripe and sweet to balance the tartness of the lemonade.
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What if my strawberries sink to the bottom?
It’s totally normal! I actually love the surprise burst of strawberries at the end of my popsicle. But if you want them evenly mixed, try giving your molds a gentle stir once or twice while freezing.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s the kind of simple, joyful treat you can whip up on a whim that instantly reminds you of summer’s best moments. I encourage you to try it out and tweak it to your liking because there’s nothing quite like making a homemade popsicle that your whole family will love. Whether you’re cooling off after a long day or looking for a fun way to use fresh fruit, these popsicles are a bright and delicious answer!
Print
Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (including freezing time)
- Yield: 10 popsicles
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Refreshing and easy-to-make Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles combine the tartness of Simply Lemonade with sweet, juicy strawberries for a perfect summer treat. These homemade popsicles are lightly sweetened, feature delightful fruity bits, and are ideal for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 container Simply Lemonade (approximately 64 oz)
- 1 cup strawberries, diced
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries: Add the diced strawberries into a small bowl. Sprinkle the sugar on top and mix well. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the strawberries release their juices. Optionally, lightly mash a few strawberries to create a mix of textures with some small bits and some whole pieces.
- Fill Popsicle Molds: Evenly spoon the strawberry mixture into the popsicle molds until the mixture is fully used. The strawberry pieces will add texture and bursts of flavor within each popsicle.
- Add Lemonade: Pour Simply Lemonade over the strawberry mixture in each mold, leaving a small gap at the top to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Insert Lids and Sticks: Place the lids on the molds securely and insert popsicle sticks through the designated holes.
- Freeze: Freeze the popsicles until they are completely solid, approximately 4 to 6 hours or overnight for best results.
Notes
- Some strawberries may float to the bottom during freezing; if you prefer strawberries evenly distributed, gently stir the mixture a few times while freezing.
- The mixture can be pureed for smoother popsicles or left chunky for a textured bite.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
