Theo and Flo love just about everything frozen and lick-able, but their taste is not necessarily homemade. Their taste is SWEET. To get them to choose my pops over store-bought, I grimace and add a little simple syrup or honey while taking comfort in the fact that my popsicles are made of whole fruit instead of artificial flavorings. And when possible, when the fruit is dark like blueberries or blackberries, I hide blended spinach, avocado or Omega 3s inside to up my popsicle's nutrition punch. Then, for being such a resourceful, sneaky vegetable hider, I pat myself on the back and hide some booze in a batch for mommy.

— Vivian Howard

Watermelon Popsicles

3 cup watermelon
¼ cup lime juice
⅓ cup mint simple syrup
Yield: 8 ring pops

Mint Syrup

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
5 sprigs mint

To make simple syrup, combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat and cook until sugar dissolves, about 15-20 minutes. Let cool completely. Yields 1 ½ cup.

Blueberry Smoothie Popsicles

⅓ cup mint simple syrup
1 handful spinach
1 cup blueberry
1 cup plain yogurt
½ cup grape juice
2 tablespoons Barlean's Omega 3 orange swirl
1½ tbsp honey
2 tsp lemon juice

Directions for both

Add all ingredients to blender and blend on high until smooth. Use a funnel to pour into popsicle sleeves. Freeze until firm in these popsicle sleeves or a mold that you can find on Amazon.

Boozy Watermelon Pops

3 cup watermelon
¼ cup lime juice
⅓ cup mint syrup
1 cup vodka
½ cup aperol

Directions

Add all ingredients to blender and blend on high until smooth. Use a funnel to pour into popsicle sleeves. Freeze until firm in these popsicle sleeves that you can find on Amazon.

Photos by Baxter Miller

Popsicles 3 Ways