The Theme Is … Popsicles!

 
Summer is most definitely here, at least where I am. We’ve been battling thunderstorms and mosquitoes and a string of days marked by an unwelcome and overstaying holy-moly-I’m-melting-here blanket of heat. And let me tell you, it’s hot. During one particularly oppressively hot day—a day our brand new air conditioning system decided it had had enough and started impersonating a rock—I decided it was time to move to the North Pole and live in an igloo. So we packed up our stuff, booked a flight on Priceline, and off we went. The end.

Okay, so we didn’t really move to the North Pole. For one, I’m allergic to dogs so I’d have to drive those sleds alone. No fun. Second, I’d be up all day every day wondering why I haven’t seen any penguins yet. Or why the sun is taking forever to set. Again, no fun.

So instead of migrating to the Arctic, I’ll do the next best thing. Instead of giant blocks of ice, I’ll go with smaller portions of ice. Flavored. Preferably handheld. I spent a few days staring longingly at the bounty of popsicle recipes here in Tasty Kitchen, wishing I had enough time to make them all. So I can eat them all. Though hopefully not too quickly to avoid freezing my brain.

But even if my brain freezes and stops working, that’s okay because this perfect summer heat relief is thankfully easy to make. All you need is water (or juice!), something to flavor that water, and a freezer. And okay, maybe a stick or two.

 
 
 
You can go a little fancy and make a creamy version. All you need to do is add a little … something creamy. Did I mention these were easy to make?

 
 
 
You can also add yogurt instead, and because it’s healthy and gives a protein boost, you can have an extra serving. Or three!

 
 
 
Okay, who am I kidding? My favorite popsicles are the ones are the ones that tempt me with frozen versions of my favorite desserts.

 
 
 
You can also liven up a party or summer barbecue with a boozy treat for the adults. Do be stingy with the alcohol though—too much will prevent your popsicle from freezing. (Though I’m pretty sure anyone interested in a boozy popsicle will rarely refuse a cup of boozy slush instead.)

 
 
 
If you’d rather go a different route with the popsicles and actually use frozen fruit, here are two versions for you: one for the kids, and one for those who can handle their tequila. One for little Johnny, two for me. One for little Sally, three for me … (Anyone who knows me will be laughing and calling me out, because in truth, the only way I know how to handle tequila is in a shopping bag, walking out of the store after being sent there on an errand.)

 
 
 
I think I have to go clear room in my freezer because I want to make at least 17 of these recipes right now. I can have popsicles for breakfast, yes?

Hope everyone’s staying cool this week! Have any favorite heat busters? I know I’ll need all the help I can get.