Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles (Vegan or Paleo!) are the summertime treat you’ll want on repeat all season long—bursting with juicy strawberries and zesty lemon in every lick. They’re delightfully simple: just blend, freeze, and bask in those bright, tangy flavors that’ll keep you cool any time the sun is shining!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally Bright & Refreshing: Each bite delivers a perfect mix of sweet strawberries and tart lemon, a burst of sunshine for your taste buds.
- Simple & Wholesome Ingredients: You need just a handful of real ingredients—nothing artificial, just lots of fruity goodness!
- Customizable for Any Lifestyle: Whether you’re vegan, paleo, or somewhere in between, these popsicles work for everyone—just pick your favorite sweetener!
- Kid-Friendly Fun: The easy blending and pouring steps are perfect for little helpers (and guaranteed to make snack-time more exciting).
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I absolutely adore about these Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles (Vegan or Paleo!) is how the ingredient list keeps things both simple and insanely delicious. Every element here plays a role—juiciness, tang, sweetness, and that gorgeous ruby color—creating popsicles with maximum flavor and minimum fuss.
- Fresh or frozen strawberries (3 1/2 cups): The star of the show! Fresh berries are ideal for peak season, but frozen (thawed) work perfectly year-round and add a lovely chill.
- Fresh lemon juice (1/4 cup): This brings a lively zing and bright acidity—fresh-squeezed is worth the tiny bit of extra effort.
- Honey or agave (2–3 Tbsp.): Your pick based on dietary needs; honey for paleo popsicles, agave for a vegan spin. Adjust to taste for extra sweetness.
- Water (3/4 cup): Just enough to help everything blend into a luscious, drinkable puree that freezes up beautifully.
Variations
The best part about Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles (Vegan or Paleo!) is how easy it is to make them uniquely yours. Whether you’re working with what’s in the fridge, catering to food allergies, or just love a little kitchen creativity, the possibilities are endless!
- Add Berries or Citrus: Try swapping in part raspberries or blueberries, or toss in some lime juice for a cheerful flavor twist.
- Creamy Version: Blend in a splash of coconut milk or dairy-free yogurt for creamy, tangy, strawberry lemonade “creamsicles.”
- Extra Tang: If you love pucker power, add more lemon juice or some zest for a punchier lemonade flavor.
- Sweetener Swaps: Substitute maple syrup or coconut nectar if you want to try something new and still keep it vegan or paleo-friendly.
How to Make Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles (Vegan or Paleo!)
Step 1: Puree the Ingredients
Grab your blender and toss in the strawberries, lemon juice, two tablespoons of your chosen sweetener, and the water. Blend until everything is ultra-smooth and completely combined—don’t be afraid to give it an extra whirl, especially if your strawberries are on the chunkier side. The taste of summer is already taking shape!
Step 2: Taste and Adjust
Before you reach for the popsicle molds, give your mixture a quick taste. Is it tart enough? Sweet enough? This is the moment to add an extra squeeze of lemon juice or another drizzle of honey/agave for that perfect sweet-tart balance. Trust your taste buds—they know what they like!
Step 3: Fill the Popsicle Molds
Using a funnel or a spouted measuring cup, carefully pour the strawberry lemonade mixture into your popsicle molds. If you don’t have molds, paper cups and sticks totally do the trick (just see the notes below for the foil hack!). Remember to leave a little space at the top, since your mixture will expand as it freezes.
Step 4: Add Sticks and Freeze
Pop the sticks into place—there’s something satisfying about this last step! If you’re using makeshift molds, a piece of foil will help hold the sticks straight. Slide everything into the freezer and let those beauties chill for about 3–4 hours, or until they’re fully solid and ready to enjoy.
Step 5: Unmold and Enjoy
To release your Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles (Vegan or Paleo!), run a bit of cool water over the outside of the mold and gently wiggle the sticks. Don’t rush—let the water do its magic and your popsicles will slide out smooth and perfect. Serve immediately or stash extra popsicles in the freezer for later… if they last!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles (Vegan or Paleo!)
- Use Ripe, Sweet Strawberries: The juicier your berries, the brighter and sweeter your popsicles—taste one before blending for the ultimate flavor boost.
- Don’t Skip the Lemon Juice: This isn’t just about tartness—the acidity enhances the strawberry’s natural flavor and keeps the popsicles vibrant!
- Easy Popsicle Release: Running cool (not warm) water over your mold helps the popsicles slide out smoothly—no broken sticks, no heartbreak!
- Don’t Over-Sweeten Too Early: Freeze dampens sweetness a bit, so aim just ever-so-slightly sweeter than you’d want if you were drinking it as lemonade.
How to Serve Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles (Vegan or Paleo!)
Garnishes
Try dipping the tips of your popsicles in coconut flakes, sprinkling with a little lemon zest, or even adding a few extra sliced berries into the molds before freezing for a pretty, jewel-like finish. It adds a fun pop of color and a little extra texture with every bite.
Side Dishes
Pair your Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles (Vegan or Paleo!) with a platter of fresh fruit, a handful of roasted nuts, or alongside a crisp summer salad for the ultimate sunny snack spread—it’s picnic perfection!
Creative Ways to Present
For a party twist, serve popsicles nestled into a bowl of crushed ice with edible flowers or citrus slices scattered around. Or, for special occasions, pop a popsicle into a tall glass of sparkling water or lemonade for a dramatic, festive float!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles (Vegan or Paleo!) are fully frozen, they keep nicely in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 2 weeks—just separate layers with a little parchment for easy grabbing (if they last that long…).
Freezing
Store extra popsicles directly in their molds or unmold and transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. Lay the bag flat until the popsicles are completely frozen through to prevent sticking and to save space in a packed freezer.
Reheating
These popsicles are meant to be enjoyed frozen—no reheating needed! If they’re too solid, let them sit at room temperature for a minute or two for the perfect bite-able texture.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries for Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles (Vegan or Paleo!)?
Absolutely! If you use frozen strawberries, just make sure to thaw them slightly so your blender doesn’t struggle. They’re often picked at the peak of ripeness, so they’ll be sweet and flavorful—perfect for these popsicles.
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How can I make these popsicles Paleo or Vegan?
For a vegan version, opt for agave (or maple syrup) as your sweetener; if you’re paleo, use honey. Both create a delicious result and you can adjust the level of sweetness easily.
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What can I use if I don’t have popsicle molds?
No molds? No problem! Paper cups and wooden sticks (or sturdy straws) work beautifully. Simply pour your mixture into the cups, cover with foil and poke the sticks through—freeze, then peel away the cup to enjoy.
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How do I get popsicles out of the mold without breaking them?
Run cool water over the outside of the mold for a few seconds, then gently wiggle the sticks until the pops loosen and slide out whole. Avoid using hot water, which can cause messy melting.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a treat that delivers pure joy (and a ton of flavor!) in every frozen bite, make a batch of these Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles (Vegan or Paleo!). Whether you’re cooling down after a sunny afternoon or just craving something cheerful, these popsicles bring a little celebration to even the simplest day. Try them—you’ll be hooked!
PrintStrawberry Lemonade Popsicles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups of popsicle mixture (About 10 popsicles) 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Freezer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These refreshing Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles are a delightful treat, perfect for a hot summer day. Made with fresh strawberries, zesty lemon juice, and a touch of sweetness, these popsicles are not only delicious but also vegan and paleo-friendly.
Ingredients
For the Popsicles:
- 3 1/2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries (thawed, if frozen)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
- 2–3 Tbsp. honey or agave (adjust, to taste)
- 3/4 cup water, to blend
Instructions
- Place ingredients in Blender: Place strawberries, lemon juice, 2 Tbsp. honey, and water in a blender.
- Puree: Puree the ingredients until smooth.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste and add additional lemon juice or honey, as desired.
- Pour into Molds: Pour the mixture into popsicle molds using a funnel.
- Insert Sticks and Freeze: Cover with a lid, insert popsicle sticks, and freeze for 3-4 hours until solid.
Notes
- If you don’t have popsicle molds, you can use paper cups and popsicle sticks or straws as an alternative.
- To remove popsicles from the mold easily, run a little cold water on the outside of the mold and gently wiggle the sticks to loosen them.
- Leftover popsicles can be stored in a freezer bag in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Popsicle
- Calories: 31
- Sugar: 6.2 g
- Sodium: 1.5 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1.1 g
- Protein: 0.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg