Cucumber Lime Cocktail Ice Pops

Cocktail on a stick

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These cocktail Ice Pops were refreshing chilled summer treat!! Yes, you read it right, Cocktail Ice Pops!!, as if cocktails in pretty glasses were not enough! I am an ice pops fanatic in summers and wanted to try something different than just freezing fruits. My freezer always has some seasonal frozen fruit pops, like cherry, strawberry, mango!!!

Fruit popsicles help me control sugar in-take for Vishal and saves me from spooning egg-based ice creams (which Vishal adores!!). Even though, I don’t hate ice creams, I am not an everyday dessert person or if I eat something very sweet, I would need a glass full of water just after pampering my sweet-tooth. Not that exciting, right?

On the opposite side, Vishal will eat ice-cream every day until it lasts in freezer!! So I prefer not to keep ice creams around my kitchen, not even in summers. Well, fact is, its fine to pamper your sweet-tooth once-in-a-while, eating everything in moderation is always ok. Hence, I often have fruit, fruit and low-fat yogurt, fruit and coconut milk kinda frozen treats in freezer.

This year, I also want to try freezing some veggies popsicle, will share with you as the story unfolds. First attempt however was worth enjoying. Last weekend, I made these gorgeous and refreshing Cucumber-Lime Cocktail Ice Pops.

There is a interesting story behind making of these ice pops though. I have my garden full of mint this season and want to use it all. Nothing better than just picked fresh mint leaves. It will leave natural fragrance in you hands for hours!! I also wanted to try freezing some veggie concoctions (with little bit of sugar of-course!! What were you thinking? I will eat unsweetened veggie pops for dessert!! That will be in-sanity!!) Vishal, however was making faces, thinking I am going to deprive him of his favorite sweet treats. Luckily, while flipping pages of an old magazine, I came across this frozen cocktail recipe. Vishal was adamant that alcohol ice pops will not freeze or will not hold shape. Yes, I agree!! It will be hard to freeze pure alcohol but what if I tone it down or mix it with something to hold its shape? So, I followed the advice in magazine (read ingredients list for secret) and frozen some delicious Cucumber-Lime Ice Pops, refreshing summer flavor with ice cold texture, ice pops came out excellent. And good news, nothing was falling apart!! hurrah!!! My no-mess cocktail ice pop not only won me bet but also was a real treat for Vishal. Treat? Yes!! Treat!! He is not allowed to eat sugar and these pops had a shot of Gin too!! I was skeptical about making’em at first place, but I think a little treat once a while is better than store-bought ice creams!

(Ps: Later I convinced him to share a few with his friends in office for happy hour, not heard yes (yet!!))

Seriously, Ice Pops were super addictive. I especially love strong punch of lime and refreshing cucumber flavor. They scream summers and it is already 90+ in San Diego! Official summer time for me, how about you?
Few of my favorite fruits pops, I posted last year:
Peach and Yogurt Lollies Tri-Color Fruit Ice Pops Mango and Coconut Popsicles

Cucumber Lime Cocktail Ice Pops
Total Time: Prep Time: Cook Time: Idle Time: 1 hr 20 mins
Cuisine:    American Category: Difficulty: Easy
Yields: 10 Serves: 10
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Ingredients

  • 1/4 Cup Mint (leaves coarsely chopped, plus 10 more leaves for garnish)
  • 2 tsp Lime (finely grated zest of two limes)
  • 1 Cucumber (large, peeled, seeded and pureed, about 1.5 cup)
  • 1/2 tsp Gelatin (unflavored and powdered)
  • 1/3 Cup Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup Water
  • 1/4 Cup Lime (fresh juice of about 3 limes)
  • 1/4 Cup Gin

Directions

  • 1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar with 1/4 cup of water and the mint and bring to a boil. Cover, remove from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes.
  • 2. Zest and juice the limes.
  • 3. Puree the cucumbers. Also, in a microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over 1 tablespoon of water; let stand until softened, 5 minutes. Microwave the mixture at high power for 8 seconds, until the gelatin dissolves
  • 4. Strain the mint syrup in cucumber puree and whisk in the lime zest, lime juice, gin and gelatin.
  • 5. Arrange ten 2 ounce paper or silicon cups on a baking sheet. Pour the popsicle mixture into the cups and freeze for 1 hour, until partially frozen, Insert a stick in the center of each cup and freeze for 30 minutes longer, until fully frozen. remove from the cup and serve.
    Additional Notes:
    I dotted each cup with one mint leaf. Just press it once if it tries to float on surface. Totally optional, but I love the strong minty surprise as popsicle melts in mouth!!!
  • 6. P.S. You can also freeze 8 of them and enjoy rest poured over ice with some sparkling water. Refreshing!!!

Savita's Recipe Notes:

This cocktail on a stick is especially refreshing on a blazing-hot day. Gelatin is secret ingredient in the mixture to prevent pops from melting too quickly.
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2 Responses

Tasty! I would try it with a nice limonade like this one http://www.urban-drinks.co.uk/Soft-Drinks/Cucumis-Cucumber-24x033L::2487.html

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