Ah, summer. As children, this hot and glorious season meant cannonballs and carnivals, freckled faces and fireflies. Our afternoons consisted of running Mach 3-speed through the sprinklers, and our nights were spent playing summer league games. Weeks were passed at overnight camp, on sandy beaches, and at lake houses. Amidst all these adventures, the Popsicle was the one reliable refreshment that was always around to cool you down. Although growing-up means sacrificing three-month long holidays, it doesn´t require Pop·Ice, shaved ice, or Italian ice forfeiture. We´ve added adulthood´s most redeeming quality—booze—to your favorite childhood snack. These five intoxicating treats will take you from sober to tipsy before you can say “Sharks and Minnows.”
All recipes yield four to six pops.
Cool Mule
Ingredients
4 oz. vodka
12 oz. ginger beer*
½ c. fresh lime juice
½ c. sugar
1 lime, sliced
This seasonal take on the Moscow Mule is just the excuse Russian President Vladimir Putin needs to take off his shirt (again). Directions: Mix vodka, ginger beer, lime juice, and sugar. Pour liquid into a popsicle mold, but do not insert popsticks. Freeze overnight. Add a thin slice of lime, insert popsticks, and freeze for at least 1 hour.
*Fever Tree was used for testing purposes
The Dude Abides
Ingredients
4 oz. Russian vodka*
4 oz. Kahlua
1 ¼ c. milk
1 3.4 oz box of instant white chocolate pudding mix
Brown sugar
Yeah, well, you know, it´s just, like, my opinion, man, but I bet these pops will help you take it easy for all us sinners this summer. Directions: Mix vodka, Kahlua, and milk. Whisk in pudding mix, removing all lumps. Pour mix, but do not insert popsticks. Freeze overnight. Sprinkle a generous layer of brown sugar, place in popsticks, and freeze for at least 1 hour.
*Stolichnaya was used for testing purposes
Corona Limeade
Ingredients
12 oz Corona
6 oz frozen limeade concentrate (½ can)
1 lime, sliced
Sea salt, for garnish
This summery beer pop is endorsed by fraternities nationwide. Directions: Thaw limeade, then mix with beer. Pour liquid, but do not insert popsticks or cover the mold. Freeze overnight. Add a thin slice of lime and freeze for 1 hour. Add a generous layer of salt, insert popsticks, and freeze at least 1 hour.
Sangria on a Stick
Ingredients
1 c. red wine
6 oz sprite zero
½ c. orange juice
¼ c. sugar
1 orange, ½ cubed and ½ sliced
raspberries
cherries
Sangria pops are best enjoyed beachside—so grab a good book, throw some ice in the cooler, and dig your toes in the sand. Directions: Mix wine, sprite, OJ, and sugar. Pour liquid, then carefully drop cubed orange pieces, raspberries, and cherries. Without inserting popsticks, freeze the mold overnight. Add a thin slice of orange, skewer with popsticks, and freeze for at least 1 hour.
The Whole Kit ´n Kahlua
Ingredients
6 oz Kahlua
2 oz vodka
2 oz espresso, chilled
1 c. milk
¼ c. sugar
1 c. chocolate-covered espresso beans
The Fudgesicle, Version 2.0. Directions: Mix Kahlua, vodka, cold espresso, and milk. Stir in sugar. Pour into mold and carefully add espresso beans. Freeze overnight.
Note: Because freezing liquor is tricky, keep a 1 to 5 alcoholic to non-alcoholic ratio for recipes that call for the hard stuff.