Made with only 3 ingredients, these Lemonade Popsicles are a healthier option that’s bursting with refreshing, sweet citrus flavor! Takes just 5 minutes to prep before the freezer does the rest of the work!
There’s no better way to cool down on a hot, sticky day than with these Homemade Lemonade Popsicles! Their sweet, refreshing flavor will cool you down while also giving you a delicious treat to enjoy!
To make the very best lemonade popsicles I chose to use simple, fresh ingredients such as freshly squeezed lemon juice! Make a batch for the kids to encourage them to stay hydrated or add a splash of alcohol to them for the adults to enjoy!
Lemonade Popsicles Ingredients
- Water
- Granulated Sugar
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Lemon Zest optional
These simple ingredients mean it’s even easier to alter them to taste just how you like them! If you enjoy a stronger lemon flavor, you can reduce the sugar or increase the lemon juice.
And if you’re more of a sweets person, you can increase the sugar to taste.
Substitutions & Variations
- Sweetener – If you prefer, granulated sugar can be replaced with honey or maple syrup. Keep in mind this will alter the flavor of the popsicles as well as their color.
- Lemon Zest – Though it’s optional, lemon zest is a great addition to the popsicle mixture for a more refreshing flavor and texture! You can also just garnish the popsicles with the zest before serving.
- Add Fruit – Blend up or muddle up some fruit such as fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or fresh raspberries. Or even watermelon! Stir the crushed or blended fruit into the popsicle mixture for a variation of fruity flavor and texture!
- Herbs – For a different flavor variation, add fresh herbs to the popsicles! Try them with thyme, fresh mint or basil, or even rosemary!
- Adult Popsicles – For an adult version of this frozen treat add gin, vodka, or bourbon to the popsicle mixture while reducing a bit of the water.
How To Make Homemade Lemonade Popsicles
Step 1: Bring water to a simmer in a small pan and then whisk in the sugar until completely dissolved.
Step 2: Remove the simple syrup from the heat and allow it to cool.
Step 3: Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Pour the popsicle mixture into popsicle molds.
Step 5: Transfer the tray of molds to the freezer to freeze for 5 hours or overnight.
How To Juice A Lemon
You can juice a lemon using a citrus juicer, a citrus press, or a reamer. You can even juice lemons by hand just by simply squeezing them, it just takes a bit more work!
To easily get the juice from lemons you can pop them in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds. Afterward, roll the lemon on the counter with a little bit of pressure 5 to 7 times.
This will loosen up the membranes in the lemon and encourage them to release the juices.
How To Store Lemonade Popsicles
Completely frozen popsicles can be stored in the popsicle molds or be removed and transferred into a Ziploc freezer bag with the excess air squeezed out of it. They can also be kept in a freezer-safe airtight container.
Additionally, these lemon ice pops can be individually wrapped in plastic wrap and then again in tin foil. Afterward, transfer the double-wrapped popsicles into a Ziploc freezer bag.
This double-wrapping method will prevent freezer burn if you won’t be enjoying them right away. Store the popsicles in the freezer and enjoy them for up to a month!
FAQs Lemonade Popsicles
Can I make homemade popsicles without popsicle molds?
Yes, you can make popsicles even if you don’t have popsicle molds! An ice tray, small dixie paper cups, or even muffin tins will work.
To do so, pour the popsicle mixture into the ice tray, dixie cups, or muffin tins. Next, cover the tray or cups with tin foil.
Afterward, insert popsicle sticks or craft sticks into the tin foil on each mold. The tin foil will hold the stick in place as the popsicles freeze.
Once the popsicles are frozen you can remove the tin foil and pop out your popsicle to enjoy!
How long does it take popsicles to freeze?
This will depend on the size of your popsicle molds. Larger, thick molds will take longer while thin molds won’t. For the molds I use, I find that after 5 hours the popsicles are completely frozen.
Can I make this lemonade popsicle recipe sugar-free?
For sugar-free popsicles, omit the granulated sugar and replace it with stevia or monk fruit. You can also muddle up berries or other sweet fruit to add to the popsicles to sweeten them up naturally.
How do I remove homemade popsicles from popsicle molds easily?
Carefully run hot water over the popsicle mold. As the mold becomes warm it will loosen the lemon popsicles inside and they should just slide right out!
You can also leave the popsicle mold out at room temperature for a few minutes before attempting to remove them.
Can I use other lemonade recipes to make lemonade popsicles?
Yes, feel free to use other lemonade recipes to make popsicles. You just may want to reduce the recipe unless you want a lot of popsicles!
Turn my Apple Lemonade or this Chic Fil A copycat recipe for Watermelon Mint Lemonade into frozen treats! You could even make Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles by using this recipe for Strawberry Lemonade!
Lemonade Popsicles
INGREDIENTS
- 3 cups water
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- lemon zest optional
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a small pan, bring water to a simmer and whisk in sugar until completely dissolved.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Stir in fresh lemon juice until fully incorporated.
- Carefully pour the mixture into the popsicle mold.
- Freeze for 5 hours or overnight.
