Popsicles for adults only

An icy cold popsicle is a refreshingly sweet treat on a sweltering hot summer day. Those brightly colored frozen juice pops are an easy grab for the kids as well as for the thirsty, parched kid in you. However, by adding just a hint of alcohol, you can make popsicles that appeal to your adult tastes. To help you beat the summer heat as it reaches its peak before fall, here is a guide for making adults only popsicles.

Making homemade popsicles is as simple as pouring fruit juice in a mold and freezing it. But adding alcohol to the mix makes it slightly more difficult because alcohol does not freeze – unless it is in the right ratio.

• Alcohol: You only need about one-fourth to one-third ounce of liquor per mold for standard-sized popsicles. Any more than that and you may end up with a slushy pop. Also, when choosing alcohol, you can use vodka, rum, gin or tequila. Flavored liquors work best and you can even mix and match juice flavors with your favorite alcohol flavors.
• Juice: Popsicles made with fresh 100 percent juice are naturally delicious, but any kind of juice will suffice.
• Fruit: If you want to get really gourmet, add a bit of finely chopped fresh fruit to each pop before freezing.

Frozen Tangerine Screwdriver

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 ounces tangerine flavored vodka
• 1/4 orange, segmented and diced into small pieces

Directions:

1. Combine orange juice and vodka in a bowl with a spout. Place one piece of orange chunk in the bottom of each popsicle mold.
2. Pour juice mixture into molds, filling three-fourths of the way. Place lids on molds and freeze at least 3 hours or until frozen.

Frozen Lime Rickey

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 cups freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 ounces bitters
• 2 ounces simple syrup

Directions:

1. Combine lime juice, bitters and simple syrup in a bowl with a spout.
2. Pour juice mixture into molds, filling three-fourths of the way. Place lids on molds and freeze at least 3 hours or until frozen.

Frozen Cosmopolitan

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cranberry juice
• 1/2 ounce triple sec
• 1 ounce cranberry flavored vodka
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 6 fresh cranberries

Directions:

1. Combine cranberry juice, triple sec, vodka and lime juice in a bowl with a spout. Place one cranberry in the bottom of each mold.
2. Pour juice mixture into molds, filling three-fourths of the way. Place lids on molds and freeze at least 3 hours or until frozen.

More refreshing summer cocktail recipes

Healthy summer cocktails recipes
Trendy summer cocktails
Iced coffee cocktails

Photo credits: Kris Mullen