Ok, so it’s not exactly the summer yet but I still thought I’d try my hand at making some cherry ice pops with a twist. What is the twist I hear you ask? Vodka. Yes, adults can enjoy ice pops too! These are actually really simple to make and require little effort. You literally put vodka into popsicle molds alongside other ingredients such as water, sugar – and even frozen cherries if you please.

The result is a delicious vodka, cherry pop that can be enjoyed on a hot summer’s day. Or, if you’re a heathen like me – you can also have it whenever you fancy, including the winter time! In fairness, vodka is meant for cold winter days, right?

As ever with these, you can use your own creative license if you please. This means that theoretically, you could substitute vodka with an array of other alcoholic beverages such as tequila, whiskey, and whatever else tickles your fancy.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of fresh or frozen cherries
• 1/2 cup of vodka
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• Popsicle molds

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, water, and lemon juice. Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the cherries have released their juices.
2. Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool.
3. Purée the cherry mixture in a blender or food processor until smooth.
4. Stir in the vodka.
5. Pour the mixture into the popsicle molds and insert popsicle sticks.
6. Place the molds in the freezer and freeze for at least 4 hours, or until the ice pops are solid.
7. To serve, run the bottom of the popsicle molds under warm water for a few seconds to loosen the ice pops.

Enjoy your homemade vodka cherry ice pops as a refreshing and adult-friendly treat on a hot summer day! Note that the alcohol content of the ice pops will depend on the amount of vodka used, so adjust the recipe as needed to suit your preferences.