Mila's Ice Pop Adventure - Watermelon Lime
One of Mila's favorite snacks is an ice pop or popsicle. I say snack rather than treat because we make them at home with no added sugars or sweeteners. Mila thinks they are treats, but really they have become a great way for me to sneak in a little extra nutrients into her diet. Much like smoothies, homemade ice pops can be stuffed with anything and healthy elements like spinach can be disguised quite deliciously. With Summer fast approaching I though it would be fun to start sharing our most made ice pop recipes. We are starting with a family favorite - Watermelon Lime! We'll share a new ice pop recipe each week so you can be fully prepared to make homemade ice pops for your little ones (and yourself ;) come Summer. Don't forget, all my recipes are featured on a printable card form! So you can print out your favorites for easy access.
Since being back from our family vacation to Costa Rica, the three of us have been craving sunshine and swimming. Almost everyday Mila asks to go swimming or to the beach. If I thought last Summer was the best, I truly can't wait to see what this Summer will bring us. Also, now that Mila is one year older things are just so much fun! I am excited to see her learn more swimming skills and there truly isn't anything more cute than a toddler in a bathing suit! Anyways, I saw gorgeous green watermelons displayed a few weeks ago at the grocery store and had to have one. Once I brought it home I knew I had to bust out our ice pop molds. I love watermelon and lime together. The watermelon is sweet and the lime is tangy in all the right places. The two are so refreshing. I also love adding coconut water to our ice pops for a healthy kick. For this recipe I like to add a tiny bit of coconut water to each ice pop so the end result is a cool color contrast. You can see, in the photos below. Enjoy friends and stay tuned for more of Mila's Ice Pop Adventure recipes!
Photos By Lily Ro Photography
Mila's Dress By Little Minis
Ice Pop Mold By Zoku
WATERMELON LIME ICE POPS
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 6-8 hours
Servings: About 2 Cups Liquid - Depends On Your Popsicle Mold On How Many You Will Be Able To Make
INGREDIENTS
1/2 a medium sized water melon
1 lime
1/4 cup pure coconut water (Be sure to check the ingredient list on your coconut water. Make sure there are no added sugars or extracts)
A fine mesh strainer
This makes around 2 cups of liquid. It depends on how large your watermelon is. It also depends on how many popsciles this recipe will make, that will rely on how your popsicle molds are designed. For us we use the Zoku Mini Ice Pop Mold and any extra liquid I have left over I use for Mila's smoothies.
STEPS
1
First you will start by zesting a lime. You can do this with a microplane, regular citrus zester or the fine side of a cheese grater. When you zest a lime (or any citrus) be sure to only zest the top layer. Once you see white, STOP! The white part tastes bitter and should never be used.
2
Next, pour about 1 teaspoon of coconut water into each popsicle mold. Then top each popsicle mold with a tiny bit of lime zest. Then place your mold into the freezer so the coconut water + lime zest begins to freeze. I like to doing this so it gives your popsicles a contrast in color, which makes it fun for your little ones! Plus adding a bit of lime zest to each popsicle this way ensures that each one gets that tangy lime zest flavor that compliments the watermelon so well.
3
While the coconut and lime zest are freezing in the popsicle molds, slice your watermelon in half. Dice half your watermelon and remove any seeds you come across. If you need ideas on what to do with your other half of watermelon, try; dicing it up and freezing it for smoothies, cut into triangles to freeze for a cold snack, dice it up and store in the fridge for a healthy snack.
4
Add your diced watermelon into a blender. Slice your zested lime and squeeze the juice into the blender with your watermelon.
5
Blend the watermelon and lime juice until it becomes a liquid.
6
Place your fine mesh strainer over a large bowl. Be sure to use a fine mesh strainer! This step is important because it removes any pulp or seeds you may have missed and makes for a smooth juice.
7
Pour your blended watermelon and lime liquid into your mesh strainer and use a rubber spatula to push the liquid through. You should have a nice smooth juice in the bowl and any left over pulp/seeds will stay in the mesh strainer. Toss the left over pulp/seeds. Pour the watermelon lime juice into something you can pour easily from.
8
At this point your coconut water and lime zest should be semi-frozen. Gently pour your watermelon lime juice into each popsicle mold, add your sticks and let freeze for at least 6 hours or over night. If you have extra watermelon juice try saving it for smoothies or drinking it over ice with a little carbonated water for a refreshing drink!
9
Enjoy once they are fully frozen and keep in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
