Gourmet ice pops like the masterpieces created by Atlanta's King of Pops are taking the summer by storm. In this post, we give you some tasty tips on making your own.
Summer time for me is all about indulgence - enjoying flavors and experiences that aren't available year round. Picnics, swimming in the oceans, road-trips - they're all best in summer. But my number one summer taste fixation this year? Hand down, it's gourmet ice pops - trending at a farmer's market or street corner near you, right now.
Oh yes my friends - pops have grown up. Whether you're slurping away on a Vietnamese Coffee flavored lolly from New Orleans' Meltdown, or a Blackberry Mojito from Atlanta, Georgia's King of Pops, these tasty treats are perfect for anyone who likes big flavors and cool sensations.
Left: Ice Pop Joy by Anni Daulter is a great go-to book for anyone curious about the new flavors you can put in a pop.
Can't find a sweet pop truck near you? I've been reading through Anni Daulter's new book, Ice Pop Joy, and her recipes are a great way of bringing this trend to your kitchen.
Full of super-duper deluxe pop ideas (there's one called Happiness that I need to try right now - white chocolate and peppermint, I am coming for you!) there's also a sizeable number of recipes in here that are secretly, amazingly nutritious. If you're trying to get your little ones to eat more carrots, or up their vitamin C intake with some fresh melon, a pop might be a just the helper you've been looking for.
Plus, Anni makes a great point - when you're entertaining thirty kids at a summer birthday party, pops are an easy and fun alternative to cupcakes. Seasonality, flavor, fabulousness - you just can't lose with a pop. (PS Want to start slow? Here's a great recipe blending honeydew melon and lime, from Epicurious.)
Got a summer food trend you just can't keep to yourself any longer? Shout it out in the comments section.
[Image of King of Pops via Creative Loafing Atlanta.]
