I recently bought my very first set of ice pop molds. (I bought this set and I’m in love!). I know, I know. I’m a big old Mom fail for just getting with the program! My kids are probably annoyed with me and my need to browse new popsicle recipes ever since. But they’re not so mad when they get to test the fruits of my labor!
I’ve made everything from plain juice ice pops to fresh fruit sorbet frozen treats. Thanks, Pinterest, for all the ideas! Then, I learned about Cascade Ice. It’s a sparkling water drink with zero calories and no caffeine or sodium. I seem to always be on a never-ending quest to find healthy drink and food options that still taste awesome. So, I tried it and I loved it. I was not only pumped to have a new go-to drink to supplement my daily water intake, but they seemed like the perfect base for my ice pop creations.
Cascade Ice Summer Treat Recipes
The people over at Cascade Ice know that these tasty drinks are, in fact, excellent ice pop additions! They shared with me some delicious recipes for frozen treats and cool drinks:
Photo courtesy of Cascade Ice
The Watermelon Wow: This recipe is the perfect summertime pop! Pour some Blueberry Watermelon Cascade Ice into your ice pop molds. Add some fresh blueberries and be sure to leave a little room at the top! Put the ice pops into the freezer for at least 4 hours or until frozen solid and then enjoy this yummy summer treat!
Photo courtesy of Cascade Ice
Strawberry Watermelon Refresh: While you’re waiting for the pops to freeze, cool off with a refreshing drink! Start with Strawberry Watermelon Cascade Ice and fresh lemon juice. Mix the two and add pieces of fresh watermelon and strawberries. Pour over ice and refresh yourself!
Now, the next one’s just for the adults! Send the kids in with their ice pops and start working on your cool-down treat:
Peach Mango Sangria Bars: Fill popsicle tray 1/3 full with your choice of white wine. Next, fill another 1/3 with Cascade Ice Zero-Calorie Peach Mango. Finish by adding freshly chopped pieces of mango. Want some raspberries in there? Strawberries? Add them in – the fresher the better!
Cascade Ice Sherbet Bars
This recipe is the first one I decided to create with Cascade Ice. I chose to use the Lemonade flavor that quickly became my favorite, but it can honestly work with any of them, so use your favorite! My 6-year-old helped me put these together with ease, so it’s perfect for little ones to help. Working with food is one way to prevent the summer slide from happening in your home!
All you need for this is:
- Your favorite Cascade Ice flavor
- Rainbow sherbet
- Ice pop molds
Put a large spoonful of rainbow sherbet into each popsicle mold. It should take up about half the mold. Then, pour Cascade Ice into the mold (It’s normal for the sherbet to float up a little. This is good; it puts it in just the right spot to have a creamy center!). Freeze for about four hours, and then they’re ready to enjoy.
Obviously, my little guy loves them:
If you and the kids can’t wait for the yumminess to freeze, make it into a refreshing spritzer instead! Pour your favorite Cascade Ice into a glass. Drop in two big spoonfuls of rainbow sherbet and stir gently. Add fresh berries and enjoy!
I made this one by mixing together Cascade Ice Lemonade and Blueberry Watermelon and adding fresh blueberries. Amazing!
Ready to start mixing your own yummy creations? Check out the Cascade Ice blog for more inspiration and unique ways to use these ridiculously refreshing drinks to cool off this summer.
Have you tried Cascade Ice? Leave me a comment with your favorite flavors and let me know how you use them!
Amy is a mom of two, freelance writer, and blog manager who works with family-focused businesses to improve their content strategies. You can find her published work on Reader’s Digest Online, MSN, Niche, Frugal For Less, and other lifestyle publications.