The Ultimate Guide to Making Cocktail Popsicles at Home

Move over cocktails in a glass. This summer, we’re putting happy hour on a stick. Cocktail popsicles are the frozen treat your adult summer deserves. They’re cool, colorful and packed with flavor. Plus, they’re just as fun to make as they are to eat.

If you’ve ever wished your favorite drink could survive the heat, you’re in luck. With a few simple tips and ingredients, you can turn classics like margaritas, mojitos and mimosas into freezer-friendly pops that are perfect for backyard hangs, poolside lounging, or anytime you need a grown-up moment of chill.

Grab your molds and your favorite spirits! It’s time to turn your freezer into the happiest place in the house.

Step One: Know the Basics

Alcohol doesn’t freeze like water. Too much booze and your popsicle will stay slushy. Too little and it might taste more like a juice box than a cocktail. The key is balance. Most cocktail popsicles work best with about four to five ounces of alcohol per four-cup batch of mix. That keeps things flavorful and frozen.

A good rule of thumb is to combine alcohol with mixers that add body. Think fruit juice, coconut milk, soda or puréed fruit. These not only help the mixture freeze but also add layers of flavor.

Step Two: Choose Your Flavor Adventure

There’s no shortage of ideas when it comes to cocktail popsicles. You can start with your favorite drink and build from there. Here are a few combos to inspire you:

• Watermelon Margarita: Fresh watermelon, lime juice, agave, tequila

• Pineapple Rum Punch: Pineapple juice, orange juice, dark rum, splash of grenadine

• Spiked Arnold Palmer: Sweet tea, lemonade, bourbon

• Berry Sangria: Red wine, orange juice, brandy, mixed berries

Want something sparkling? Mix prosecco with fruit purée and freeze quickly to lock in the bubbles. Prefer something creamy? A splash of coconut milk or a scoop of yogurt can create a velvety texture.

Step Three: Get the Right Tools

You don’t need fancy gadgets to make cocktail popsicles, but a few tools can make things smoother.

• Popsicle molds: Look for silicone molds for easy release

• Blender: Great for fruit purées or combining ingredients quickly

• Measuring cups and spoons: For keeping that alcohol balance just right

• Wooden sticks: If your molds don’t come with reusable ones

If you don’t have molds, no problem. Small paper cups and wooden sticks work just fine in a pinch.

Step Four: Freeze and Serve

After mixing your ingredients and filling the molds, place them in the freezer for at least six to eight hours. For best results, freeze overnight. To remove the popsicles easily, run the molds under warm water for a few seconds.

Serve them right out of the freezer on a hot day or arrange them in a cooler filled with ice at your next party. Garnish with a slice of lime, a mint leaf, or a sugared rim for an extra pop of personality.

Bonus Tips for Popsicle Perfection

• Taste your mixture before freezing. It should be slightly sweeter than usual, since freezing dulls flavors

• Avoid carbonation overload. Add sparkling ingredients after blending and stir gently

• If you want layers, freeze one flavor at a time before adding the next

• Don’t forget to label your boozy popsicles if kids are around

Ready to mix things up this summer? Cocktail popsicles are the perfect way to sip, snack and stay cool all in one. They’re easy to customize, fun to serve, and guaranteed to impress. So pull out those molds and start experimenting.

Your freezer just became your new favorite bar.

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Watermelon Mint Margarita Pops

Fresh, juicy, and perfect for hot afternoons, these pops bring the classic margarita to frozen life.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups fresh watermelon, cubed and seeded

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 2 tablespoons agave syrup

• ¼ cup silver tequila

• 1 tablespoon orange liqueur (like Cointreau)

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

Instructions:

1. Blend the watermelon until smooth. Strain if you want a more juice-like texture, or leave it pulpy for a fuller bite.

2. Stir in lime juice, agave syrup, tequila, orange liqueur, and chopped mint.

3. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and insert sticks.

4. Freeze for at least 8 hours or overnight until fully set.

5. Run under warm water to release and enjoy immediately.

Coconut Piña Colada Pops

Creamy, tropical, and just sweet enough, these pops will transport you to a beach chair in just one bite.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pineapple juice

• ½ cup canned coconut milk (full fat)

• ¼ cup white rum

• 1 tablespoon honey or simple syrup (optional, depending on your sweetness preference)

• ½ cup finely chopped pineapple

Instructions:

1. In a blender, mix the pineapple juice, coconut milk, rum, and honey until smooth.

2. Stir in the chopped pineapple for added texture.

3. Pour the mixture into molds and insert sticks.

4. Freeze for 6 to 8 hours until solid.

5. Serve straight from the freezer with a smile.