Strawberry Popsicle Recipe

It's gettin' spicy out there! As we say hello (again) to long days and sweltering temps, you ought to beat the heat with something coconutty (and sweet). Using our naturally delicious Watermelon Flavored Coconut Water as a base, these Strawberry Watermelon Coconut Pops are sure to cool and hydrate you from the inside out (thx, natural electrolytes!).

Not a frozen treat fan? S'all good ... sip on our Watermelon Flavored Coconut Water straight from the bottle for the perfectly hydrating marriage of organic watermelon juice and organic coconut water for any warm day, midday slump or poolside hang.

How To Make Strawberry Watermelon Coconut Pops

What You'll Need:

• 1 bottle Harmless Harvest Watermelon Coconut Water
• 1 pint ripe strawberries
• 1/3 cup canned or fresh lychees, diced into small bits
• 3 tbsp sugar

 How to Make It:

1. In a food processor or blender, puree 3/4 of the strawberries with the sugar until thick and smooth in consistency. Feel free to add or decrease sugar based on your sweetness preference! 
2. Thinly slice the remaining 1/4 of strawberries and set aside. 
3. In popsicle mold, fill up 1/3 of each mold with strawberry mixture. Next, spoon in lychee bits to each mold. Place the finely sliced strawberries vertically into the popsicle molds. Top off with Harmless Harvest organic watermelon coconut water, and place in your popsicle sticks.
4. Freeze for 5 hours or until completely solid. 
5. Enjoy!

Recipe by @foodwithliz

FAQ:

Can dairy be incorporated into these pops, and how?

Yes, dairy can be incorporated into these popsicles to add creaminess and richness. Here are a few ways to do it:

Yogurt: You can mix Greek or regular yogurt with the strawberry puree before adding it to the molds. Yogurt will add a creamy texture and a slight tanginess. Use about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of yogurt, adjusting to your preference. Of course, if you want to add richness and creaminess without dairy, you could also consider adding ½ to ¾ cup of our strawberry flavored Harmless Harvest Dairy-Free Coconut Yogurt Alternative.

Coconut Cream: To maintain the coconut theme, you could use coconut cream. Mix it with the strawberry puree or layer it in the molds for a distinct coconut layer. Coconut cream is thicker and richer than coconut water and will add a creamy texture.

Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half: For a more traditional creamy popsicle, mix heavy cream or half-and-half with the strawberry puree. This will make the popsicles richer. Start with about 1/2 cup and adjust according to your taste.

Condensed Milk: Adding sweetened condensed milk to the strawberry puree will not only sweeten the popsicles but also give them a creamy texture. This can be particularly good if you're looking for a sweeter, creamier treat.

When incorporating dairy, you might need to adjust the amount of sugar, as dairy products can alter the overall sweetness and flavor balance. Also, remember to blend the mixture well to ensure a smooth consistency before pouring it into the molds.

How can I make sure I achieve the perfect texture in these pops?

Achieving the perfect texture in popsicles is a balance of ingredients and technique. Here are some tips to ensure your popsicles have a great texture:

Sugar Content: Sugar plays a crucial role in the texture of popsicles. It lowers the freezing point, preventing the popsicles from becoming too icy. If your popsicles are too hard or icy, consider increasing the sugar content. Remember, the sweetness level will feel less intense once the mixture is frozen, so a slightly sweeter mix at room temperature is usually perfect.

Puree Texture: Ensure your fruit puree is smooth. Large chunks of fruit can create icy textures. If you prefer chunks in your popsicles, make sure they are small and evenly distributed.

Dairy or Fat Content: As mentioned earlier, adding dairy (like yogurt, coconut cream, or heavy cream) can help create a creamier texture. Fat prevents the formation of large ice crystals, resulting in smoother popsicles.

Alcohol: A small amount of alcohol can help in achieving a softer texture, as alcohol doesn't freeze at typical freezer temperatures. Be cautious with the quantity; too much can prevent the popsicles from setting. A tablespoon or two per batch is usually sufficient.

Freezing Time and Temperature: Freeze the popsicles at the coldest setting of your freezer to ensure quick freezing. Slow freezing can result in larger ice crystals, which makes the texture grainy. Ideally, they should freeze solid in about 4-6 hours.

Use of Stabilizers: Ingredients like gelatin, agar-agar, or cornstarch can help stabilize the mixture and prevent the formation of ice crystals, leading to a smoother texture.

Layering Technique: If you're layering different ingredients (like the strawberry puree and coconut water), allow each layer to freeze slightly before adding the next. This prevents the layers from blending and creates a distinct, smooth layering effect.

By considering these factors, you can adjust your recipe and technique to achieve the desired texture in your popsicles.

How appealing is this recipe for kids?

This recipe has several elements that can make it very appealing to kids:

Bright Colors: The use of strawberries and watermelon coconut water will create vibrant, eye-catching colors. Children are often attracted to brightly colored foods, and the natural reds and pinks in this recipe are likely to be a hit.

Fruit Flavors: The combination of strawberries, lychees, and watermelon is sweet and refreshing, flavors that are typically popular with kids. The natural sweetness of these fruits is usually well-received by younger palates.

Fun Shapes and Textures: The inclusion of sliced strawberries and lychee bits can add an interesting texture. Kids might enjoy the novelty of finding fruit pieces in their popsicles.

Customization: This recipe can be easily customized, which can be fun for kids. They can help choose and add different fruits, or even mix in other ingredients like small pieces of chocolate or sprinkles for a fun twist.

Healthy Treat: For parents, the appeal of this recipe lies in its healthiness. It's made with natural fruit and coconut water, which are healthier options compared to many store-bought, sugar-laden frozen treats.

Interactive and Fun to Make: The process of making these popsicles is relatively simple and can be a fun activity for kids. They can help with pouring the mixture into molds, adding fruit slices, and inserting the popsicle sticks.

To make it even more appealing to kids, you could:

Use fun-shaped popsicle molds (like stars, animals, etc.).
Involve them in the process, letting them add ingredients or help mix.
Experiment with different fruit combinations based on their preferences.