Livin’ the Dream
Freeze up a batch of these tequila-based popsicles, and you’ll be more popular than the ice cream man.
It has always been a dream of mine to own an adult ice cream truck. I would drive from neighborhood to neighborhood selling boozy popsicles, liquor-soaked frozen fruit, wine-flavored ice cream and bourbon-laced ice cream sandwiches out of a truck blasting “Ice Cream Man” by Van Halen.
I may never actually make that dream come true, but I like to create recipes that I would sell from that imaginary truck, and this is one of them. These Watermelon Margarita Popsicles are creamy, lime-y, salty and sweet — and they have tequila in them so what’s not to like?
When I think of summer, I think of watermelon. North Carolina ranks seventh among watermelon-producing states, and our coastal towns are rich in the fruit’s growth. Thanks to watermelon, the pink color in these popsicles is so vibrant and the fresh fruit just screams “Summer!”
Feel free to experiment by using mango puree instead of watermelon or try coconut cream instead of condensed milk. You could even add a splash of Grand Marnier or triple sec — the options are endless.
The first time I made these, I was sitting on my patio and ate it so fast I got brain freeze. It was so delicious that I forgot there was tequila in them. No matter how you take your summer popsicles — on the patio, by the pool, on the beach or from a truck — these Watermelon Margarita Popsicles are sure to please.
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popsicles
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- 15 limes
- 1/2 cup tequila or more if you want to kick it up a notch
- 1 cup watermelon puree simply blend or mas watermelon chunks until smooth
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- Margarita salt
- Dixie cups I use the small ones
- popsicles sticks
Ingredients
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- Squeeze 10 limes into a pitcher and add sweetened condensed milk, tequila and watermelon puree. Stir well.
- Place the dixie cups on a baking sheet and pour the mixture into each cup, filling each about 2/3 of the way. The baking sheet will allow you to easily transport them into the freezer.
- Using the remaining limes, cut ¼-inch thick slices and stick a popsicle stick through the middle of each slice. Then place them into the margarita mix and stabilize the stick with the lime floating on top. Put in freezer to harden. (Slide the lime slice up the stick so when you put it in the cup it creates a seal over the margarita mixture)
- Once the popsicles are frozen, cut the cups from around the popsicle and sprinkle coarse salt on them. (You can also dip the cups into warm water until the cup slides off.)
- Serve them in a dish or bowl with crushed ice to keep them from melting too quickly.
- Note: For a non-alcoholic version, omit the tequila; they will still be a crowd favorite.
