9 Creative, Refreshing Takes on the Classic Popsicle

Beat the heat with these icy treats.

By
Yasmine Maggio
Yasmine Maggio
Yasmine Maggio
Associate Editor
Yasmine is an Associate Editor at Serious Eats. Her work has been featured in Women’s Health and on L’Officiel USA, and she recently graduated from New York University with a master's in journalism. You can find her at Bleecker Street Pizza on any given weekend.
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Published May 08, 2025
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Is it possible to think about popsicles without immediately being transported to the summers of your childhood? Whether it was the syrupy freeze-pops you managed to suck all the juice out of or the rocket-shaped red, white, and blue ice pops you grabbed from the neighborhood ice cream truck, you probably had your fair share of popsicles back in the day. If you're looking to recreate that magic, consider making your own popsicles at home, which will allow you to conjure up whatever flavor your heart desires. Below, we've put together an array of refreshing popsicles—including pudding pops and creamy piña colada popsicles—that will help you beat the summer heat.

September 2020

  • Ultimate Strawberry Popsicles

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    Vicky Wasik

    A trio of fresh strawberries, strawberry jam, and freeze-dried strawberries join forces in this flavor-packed popsicle. The addition of jam creates a soft, lush texture that balances the brightness of the fresh strawberries while offering a sweeter fruit flavor.

  • Piña Colada Popsicles

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    Vicky Wasik

    These popsicles taste like a tropical vacation. Rather than offering a buzz, the rum's spiced notes help balance the sweetness of the pineapple and cut through the coconut cream's richness.

  • Virgin Piña Colada Popsicles

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    Vicky Wasik

    If you want a tropical popsicle that’s alcohol-free, these virgin piña colada popsicles are the way to go. Using fresh pineapple is the best way to get that perfect sweet-tart flavor, but in a pinch, both frozen and canned pineapple can be used as a substitute. For a balanced popsicle, we use equal parts pineapple and unsweetened coconut cream, with some lime juice for a touch of acidity.

  • Blueberry Yogurt Popsicles

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    Vicky Wasik

    For a refreshing, flavorful popsicle, we blend blueberries with Greek yogurt, sugar, and heavy cream. Cooking the blueberries first brings out their sweet, tart, and floral notes, while lemon juice brings a hit of brightness.

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  • Raspberry Yogurt Popsicles

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    Vicky Wasik

    These raspberry popsicles make one seriously eye-catching treat. Simmering the berries tames their tartness and draws out their natural sweetness, and the addition of orange juice enhances the berry's subtle citrus notes. Though we opted for blending the raspberry purée with the yogurt for a more balanced flavor, you can also swirl the two bases together for a different look and more distinct taste.

  • Mango Yogurt Popsicles

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    Vicky Wasik

    \Though Tommy Atkins mangoes are the most popular in the US, they don’t offer the intense flavor that’s needed to make these treats shine. Instead, we reach for the Ataulfo variety, which brings with it creamy sweetness and a bold tropical flavor that’s complemented by the addition of lime juice. The fruity pop is reminiscent of mango lassi, but in frozen form.

  • Tamarind and Palm Sugar Popsicles With Chili Salt

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    Vicky Wasik

    Inspired by the sticky, sweet taste of Pelon Pelo Rico, a tamarind-flavored candy, these popsicles turn the confection into a grown-up treat. The mixture is made up of nutty, caramelized palm sugar, tart tamarind paste, and tangy malic acid—a list of ingredients that may be difficult to source, but can mostly be found online. Once frozen, the popsicles are dipped in chile salt spiked with more malic acid for a sour, mouthwatering flavor.

  • DIY Fudgsicles

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    Vicky Wasik

    Our recipe for homemade Fudgsicles offers a deeper chocolate flavor than the real deal, thanks to Dutch cocoa powder. Skim milk enhances the chocolatiness of the pops, while brown sugar works to get just the right flavor, and by adding gelatin to the mix, we’re able to mimic the unique texture of a Fudgsicle. For a clean release from the popsicle molds, we recommend lightly greasing them first.

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  • DIY Pudding Pops

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    Vicky Wasik

    We took pudding and made it into a dessert pop that’s as refreshing as it is rich. Using tapioca starch helps keep the frozen pudding smooth and thick, and skim milk offers a crisp, icy quality. While the base is vanilla, you can dip the frozen pops in chocolate and sprinkles for a little something extra. The result is a light, creamy, and chilly treat that’s perfectly satisfying on a hot summer’s day.

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