Summertime is all about the beach or splashing in the pool. When it’s time that you need to cool off, these patriotic popsicles are the perfect thing to do just that. They are made with simple ingredients and your kids will never know they are good for them.
Ingredients
1/2 cup Yogurt ( I used plain Greek)
5 tsp Local Honey
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/4 cup Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup Raspberries or Strawberries
2 tsp Lemon Juice
Water
Directions
- Place the blueberries, lemon juice and 2 tsp of the honey in a food processor or blender. Pulse lightly for a few seconds. If you like more liquid, pulse until you see that consistency. I like having pieces of the fruit in my popsicles.
- Next, add the raspberries/strawberries to the blender/processor and just a tiny bit of water, may 1/2 tbsp. You just need a little to moisten up the berries while they are blending. If you like more liquid, pulse until you see that consistency. If you don’t like the seeds, pour the mixture in a strainer and they will filter out.
- In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, vanilla and honey.
- Filling the popsicle molds: I am using stainless steel skinny molds. You’ll set the molds up and fill each one with the blueberries a 1/3 of the way. Place the lid on each one and do not insert the wooden stick. Put them in the freezer for about an hour. Next, you’ll fill them with the yogurt a 1/3 of the way. Repeat and place them in the freezer for a few hours. You might need to check on them to see when they set. Now, add the raspberries/strawberries to the top 1/3. Place the lid on top and insert the wooden stick. I left mine in the freezer overnight and pulled them out in the morning. They were frozen solid.
- Pulling the popsicles out of the mold: Run each mold under hot water for a few seconds. Pull the stick out and the popsicle will slide out. Remove the little lid and enjoy!
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Tips
- Depending on what kind of yogurt you use, it may take less or more time to freeze.
- These popsicles have that slightly sweet flavor with the tartness from the blueberries and raspberries. If you like them a little more sweeter, just add more honey. I’d start with 1 or 2 additional teaspoons of honey.
- Place each popsicle in a clear cellophane bag and tie a ribbon around each one. Stick them in the freezer and you can just grab them when you want a nice treat.
- If having a party, like a BBQ or 4th of July gathering, place ice in a rectangle dish. Then, place the popsicles on top so they don’t melt.
- You can also place the popsicles in mason jars so they drip into the jar instead of all over the floor or your shirt.
- If you don’t want the separated red, white and blue look, just combine the fruit in with the yogurt. Pour into the mold and freeze that way. They are still patriotic popsicles.
- This recipe makes six popsicles. To make 12, just double the recipe.
- If you are using different molds, you might need to adjust the recipe according to the size of the mold.
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What Type of Molds to Use
In my effort to avoid as much plastic as I can, I am using a stainless steel mold. These are skinny popsicles and it’s enough to make 12 of them. It comes with the wooden sticks and the cellophane bags.
Alternatively, I do have a plastic set that are bigger popsicles. With the little amount of time that the popsicles are in the mold, I’m ok with using those as well. Once they freeze, just take them out of the mold and put them in the cellophane bags.
Mix and match the sizes for a fun display! Do some patriotic and then some that are yogurt and mixed fruit.
Why Patriotic Popsicles?
For one, why not celebrate and show our American Pride? If you live outside of the USA, just use fruit that resembles your countries flag. For two, they are refreshing, delicious and nutritious. If your kids have been running through the sprinklers on a hot Summer day, these will cool them off. Just take a tray of them outside and watch them disappear.
Fruit vs. Food Dyes
- Fruit-based: Adds vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and real nutrients. Avoids additives entirely—popular for kids to skip sugar crashes and potential behavioral issues. Pure fruit pops are a serving of produce. Can add pulp/fiber (strain for smoother results) or make pops slightly icier/less smooth if too much water content. Freezes well but colors may fade or separate slightly over time/storage due to natural pigments being less stable (sensitive to pH, light, heat).
- Food dyes: Zero nutritional value. Artificial (petroleum-derived) dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1 raise concerns for hyperactivity/ADHD-like effects in sensitive children, possible allergies, or other issues (though FDA deems them safe in moderation for most). Some studies link them to behavioral changes; natural alternatives are generally preferred by health-conscious parents. No impact on texture—mixes cleanly into any base (juice, yogurt, coconut milk). Highly stable in frozen treats; color holds up better long-term.
Overall
Fruit-based is superior for taste, nutrition, and wholesomeness in homemade popsicles—aligning with the trend toward cleaner eating. Artificial dyes excel for convenience and maximum visual pop but add nothing beneficial and carry minor health caveats. Most recipes and parents lean natural for better results and peace of mind.
Make Your Own Vanilla Extract
There’s nothing better than homemade vanilla extract. Just two simple ingredients and you have a secret ingredient for all your baking recipes.
Decorate Patriotic Popsicles for a Gathering
These patriotic popsicles are already cute and pretty. Let’s decorate them for your dessert table.
- Put ice in a rectangle dish. You can place the popsicles just on top of the ice and serve them that way.
- Cuter Display: using cellophane bags, place each popsicle in the bag and tie a ribbon around it.
- Sit mason jars out on the table.
- When it comes time to eat the popsicles, your guests can grab a jar and a popsicle.
- The popsicle will sit inside the jar while it’s being eaten. Makes it so drippings don’t get on the floor or on someone’s shirt.
- The ribbon can be tied around the jar and just throw the bag away. Save the ribbon for the next gathering.
- Even cuter: make a little sign that sits by the popsicles and mason jars that says “Grab a popsicle + a mason jar! Stick the popsicle in the jar to avoid messy drips”. Enjoy!
Items Used in This Recipe
Popsicle Mold or Silicone (BPA Free) Molds
Red Twine, Light Blue and Dark Blue Ribbon
Resources
Miller MD, Steinmaus C, Golub MS, Castorina R, Thilakartne R, Bradman A, Marty MA. Potential impacts of synthetic food dyes on activity and attention in children: a review of the human and animal evidence. Environ Health. 2022 Apr 29;21(1):45. doi: 10.1186/s12940-022-00849-9. PMID: 35484553; PMCID: PMC9052604.
Kobylewski S, Jacobson MF. Toxicology of food dyes. Int J Occup Environ Health. 2012 Jul-Sep;18(3):220-46. doi: 10.1179/1077352512Z.00000000034. PMID: 23026007.
Kalt W, Cassidy A, Howard LR, Krikorian R, Stull AJ, Tremblay F, Zamora-Ros R. Recent Research on the Health Benefits of Blueberries and Their Anthocyanins. Adv Nutr. 2020 Mar 1;11(2):224-236. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmz065. PMID: 31329250; PMCID: PMC7442370.
Burton-Freeman BM, Sandhu AK, Edirisinghe I. Red Raspberries and Their Bioactive Polyphenols: Cardiometabolic and Neuronal Health Links. Adv Nutr. 2016 Jan 15;7(1):44-65. doi: 10.3945/an.115.009639. PMID: 26773014; PMCID: PMC4717884.
Patriotic Popsicles
Ingredients
Method
- Place the blueberries, lemon juice and 2 tsp of the honey in a food processor or blender. Pulse lightly for a few seconds. If you like more liquid, pulse until you see that consistency. I like having pieces of the fruit in my popsicles.
- Next, add the raspberries/strawberries to the blender/processor and just a tiny bit of water, may 1/2 tbsp. You just need a little to moisten up the berries while they are blending. If you like more liquid, pulse until you see that consistency. If you don’t like the seeds, pour the mixture in a strainer and they will filter out.
- In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, vanilla and honey.
- Filling the popsicle molds: I am using stainless steel skinny molds. You'll set the molds up and fill each one with the blueberries a 1/3 of the way. Place the lid on each one and do not insert the wooden stick. Put them in the freezer for about an hour. Next, you'll fill them with the yogurt a 1/3 of the way. Repeat and place them in the freezer for a few hours. You might need to check on them to see when they set. Now, add the raspberries/ strawberries to the top 1/3. Place the lid on top and insert the wooden stick. I left mine in the freezer overnight and pulled them out in the morning. They were frozen solid.
- Pulling the popsicles out of the mold: Run each mold under hot water for a few seconds. Pull the stick out and the popsicle will slide out. Remove the little lid and enjoy!
Notes
- Depending on what kind of yogurt you use, it may take less or more time to freeze.
- These popsicles have that slightly sweet flavor with the tartness from the blueberries and raspberries. If you like them a little more sweeter, just add more honey. I’d start with 1 or 2 additional teaspoons of honey.
- Place each popsicle in a clear cellophane bag and tie a ribbon around each one. Stick them in the freezer and you can just grab them when you want a nice treat.
- If having a party, like a BBQ or 4th of July gathering, place ice in a rectangle dish. Then, place the popsicles on top so they don’t melt.
- You can also place the popsicles in mason jars so they drip into the jar instead of all over the floor or your shirt.
- If you don’t want the separated red, white and blue look, just combine the fruit in with the yogurt. Pour into the mold and freeze that way. They will still be patriotic popsicles.
I hope you enjoy making this recipe for you and your family all year long. Please share this post over on Pinterest and tag me on Instagram.
Wendy Lea Walker, NTP
Nutritional Therapy Practitioner
I’m Wendy. A wife, empty-nester mama, homemaker, homebaker, gardener and small-time farmer. I love sharing wisdom and mistakes I’ve learned along the way. Anyone can garden or homestead, no matter where you live. It’s a mindset. You just have to start somewhere. I believe food is medicine. Feed the body real whole foods and healing will begin. I’m an advocate for eating real food and enjoy sharing all my fresh-milled flour recipes. I’ve learned to slow down over the years from all the noise that came with life and enjoy creating a simple cottage home.
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