The weather has been quite deceiving lately. You wake up and it's a little chilly but by midday the heat and sun are making you sweat. It's still so warm that the ice cream trucks are coming around the neighborhood. I loathe the ice cream trucks! It's my worst nightmare. Kids coming running as soon as they hear that annoying song and I instantly feel bad for my kids, Lucca and Kaine. I seriously loathe the ice cream truck. Oh wait, I already said. Well, I mean it, I hate that thing!
A couple of weeks ago we were at the park and I started hearing that damn song come closer and closer until it stopped at the park. Next thing I knew every kid in the park had a popsicle or ice cream cone except for my kids. I used my common excuse "Sorry guys...I don't have any cash. We will have a treat at home later.". But wouldn't you know it, a nice mom came up and offered to buy them some ice cream. Thoughtful, yes! But not what I needed. At that moment the kids hated the lifestyle we live and just wanted to be like everyone else. They just wanted a popsicle or super hero ice cream thing. It broke my heart to see my kids look at me with their eyes welled up asking why they couldn't have one.
When I see a popsicle or ice cream cone, I see weird colors that aren't natural, tons of sugar and weird ingredients. I'm a fun mom, can you tell? I can spoil your fun in a heartbeat! But seriously, why do popsicles have to be neon blue, green or orange? Why is it so hard to just have a fruit juice popsicle? I searched and even asked the driver if he had anything that was natural or had just fruit in it. He thought and then pointed to a high fructose corn syrup filled and strange colored type thing. I knew it would be a long walk home of upset kids.
Ever since that day I try to have some sort of "ice cream" (dairy free) or popsicle treat in the house. They both seem to be okay if they know they can come home and have a treat. Of course me being the fun police that I am , I typically add some sort of veggie to the popsicles because that makes it more fun, right? You honestly don't taste it and you can omit the spinach if you want. But what fun would that be?? Anyway, these are really good and my kids love them. The mix is tart and sweet and light and refreshing. They really like limes and lemons so, I make them with a little extra lime juice. But I'll give measurements for both in case you don't want that much tartness.
You know what else would be really good is making these into actual mojitos. All you need to do is add some vodka (I use a potato vodka) and garnish with fresh strawberries, lime and mint. It can be your adult beverage while the kids enjoy their popsicle! Maybe that ice cream truck song won't be as annoying if you are enjoying a nice cold refreshing beverage.
Watermelon Mint Mojito Popsicles
Serves:5-6 popsicles/drinks
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:0 minutes
Total Time:5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cubed watermelon (approx 1.25 lbs)
- 1 cup strawberries (approx 8-10) with tops removed and halfed
- 3/4 cup cucumber (approx 1/2 cucumber), peeled, deseeded and cubed
- 1/2 cup baby spinach leaves
- 10-12 mint leaves
- 4 to 6 TBSP fresh lime juice, depending how tart you like it
Instructions:
- Get out either your blender, food processor or emulsion blender. Any one of these will work.
- Place all ingredients into desired appliance and begin mixing until it is a liquid.
- For popsicles - Pour mixture into popsicle molds and place in freezer for 4-6 hours or until frozen.
- For adult beverages - Add 1-2 oz of vodka to ice filled glass and pour mixture on top. Garnish with mint leaves, lime wedge and strawberry.
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