This coming week is set to be the hottest this summer has seen. Finally some hot, hot, hot! I’m also just starting a glorious week of holidays, so I have all things summer on the brain.
What screams summer? Popsicles! Ice Cream! Relaxed meals by the lake!
This week, we’ve got Summer Brunch Inspired Popsicles for you to try.
If you are new to Mojo and Moxie, Danni and I both have kids, but almost adult kids – so buying the mega packs of fruity ice isn’t really on our grocery list anymore. If you like to experiment in the kitchen, you might (like us) have attempted a healthy version of the above mentioned treat as well.
BUT – have you tried a popsicle as a cocktail, first course or dessert for brunch? Enter… summer brunch inspired popsicles.
My original idea when thinking about this blog post, was to create 3 boozy popsicles. I think I was daydreaming – (I call it COVID dreaming now – but that is another blog post) about some of my fav drink order when we go to Punta Mita. Spicy Margarita popsicles, Pink Sparkly Rosé popsicles, and Minty Mojito pops – just as a start.
But as a mom of one teen, and two young adults that are working full time in the summer, stocking my freezer with alcoholic popsicles might not win me “Mom of the Year” if one of them “accidentally” takes one to eat on the way to work! 🙂
This brought me back to brunch – and how cool is it to serve a cocktail, or a first course, or even a fun dessert on a stick?
So before I get into the recipes, I wanted to make a comment on the molds. I used to have the old school molds – the hard plastic. Of course, these are totally workable but I highly recommend trying out the silicone versions out there if you need or want to add popsicle molds to your kitchen. I recently sent my hard plastic version to popsicle mold heaven after I made smoothie popsicles for my daughter and she proceeded to break each mold as she tried to get the popsicle out.
The silicone version is much more pliable for impatient teens 🙂 and as my daughter said “WAAAY prettier!!”
I bought mine with same day shipping HERE and was super pleased. They actually come with a cleaning brush, and a collapsable funnel, which makes filling the molds so easy. This version comes in fun colours like pink, baby blue, and sage green. But as you know – these molds are available anywhere – so find your fav. and go for it.
So here are a few summer brunch inspired popsicles – just don’t make them all for one meal – your guests might look at you weird. 🙂
Now, let’s start brunch with a cocktail.
Prosecco Peach Raspberry Popsicles
How about Prosecco Peach Raspberry Popsicles? So easy and so delicious, these popsicles use summer fruit (which you can change up as you wish) and can be made with Prosecco for an elevated adult version, or with sparkling water (PEACH BUBLY to be exact). For additional sweetness, you might try ginger ale as an alternative as well – but use what you have.
These are a fun way to offer a cocktail to your guests as they arrive to your backyard – especially since much of our entertaining is done outside, social distancing these days.
Here is the “how to!”
Prosecco Peach Raspberry Popsicles
Ingredients
- 2 cups Prosecco / Sparkling Water/Ginger Ale / Sprite Use what you like here – I used peach Bubly!
- handful fresh peaches
- handful fresh raspberries
Instructions
- SO EASY – cut peaches into nice slices, and place in each mold – as many as you like – and do the same with the raspberries. I shove them in to get lots!! Then fill the mold with the drink of your choice and freeze for 8 hours. Another option, is to puree the fruit with your drink of choice, and just fill the mold that way. Either way – you are getting a delish treat for your guests to enjoy. Fresh and light – this is a great way to start brunch!
And now – how about trying something unique for your first course?
Greek Yogurt Parfait Popsicles
Of course, these are a great treat for breakfast anytime! Quite often our kids are feeling lazy in the am and not wanting to make a healthy breakfast. Maybe they are running out the door to summer jobs, or to hang with friends. Hand them one of these on the way out the door and at least you know they have something good in their stomach for the start of the day.
Once again, these are so easy – and look really pretty with the layering of summer fruits. Use what you have on hand and create your own versions. I used plain Greek yogurt sweetened with a touch of honey, to avoid extra sugars, but you could use vanilla or any fruit yogurt if that is your preference.
Greek Yogurt Parfait Popsicles
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Plain Greek Yogurt use what you like but if you use a sweetened yogurt, don't add honey!
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 cup blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, use summer fruit you love!
- 1/2 cup granola
Instructions
- If you are using plain greek yogurt, add honey and mix together. Layer yogurt, fruit alternatively in mold until you get about an inch from the top of the mold. Add a nice thick layer of granola. Add "stick cover" and freeze. I like to freeze at least 8 hours, or overnight.They come out looking very pretty (perfect for brunch)
And NOW – for dessert!!
Bailey’s Cookies and Cream Popsicles
Now these, I had to hide at the back of my freezer with a warning label – “ALCOHOL INFUSED” so my kids knew not to touch. Because, of course, these little gems look the MOST interesting to teens. Chocolate – YUM. Cookies – YUM.
I cheated and made these with “pudding cups” which is a great quick way to take care of the pudding layers in the popsicle with ease. You can of course, purchase instant pudding, and make that for the layers – decide what you have time for – either way works!
You can make these without the Baileys of course, but if you are having guests for brunch – why not surprise them with a cool special dessert?
Bailey’s Cookies and Cream Popsicles
Ingredients
- 3 vanilla pudding cups You could also prepare your own vanilla pudding according to package directions if you choose
- 3 chocolate pudding cups Same goes for the chocolate pudding
- 1/4 cup Bailey's Irish Cream Liquor
- 1/3 cup Oreo Cookie Crumbs You could also smash up Oreo cookies, but I used what I had!
Instructions
- Another fun layering recipe. Combine the Bailey's with the vanilla pudding in a bowl. Start layering with the vanilla / baileys. Add a teaspoon (nice thick layer)of oreo cookie crumbs on top and tamp down. I really compacted this layer to make it work. Add a layer of chocolate and another layer of cookie crumbs. Add another layer of your Bailey's mixture. End with a nice layer of cookie crumbs. Top with your stick cover and freeze at least 8 hours. Because of the alcohol these need the freezing time for sure. Enjoy!!
So – because I’m off to hit the lake for some summer fun, I will leave you with these three great pops to enjoy.
Let us know if you try them and any variations – we are always excited to see you all trying the weird and wonderful things we come up with!
xx
C