Red, White, And Blue Popsicles Recipe

Southern Living Red White and Blue Pops ready to serve in a bowl of ice — Photo:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Active Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

7 hrs 40 mins

Servings:

Whether you grew up on the original Bomb Pop or have fond memories of flagging down the ice cream truck for a Firecracker, we can all agree it's not summertime without a red, white, and blue popsicle.

One lick of this classic frozen treat can transport you through time, back to the days of neighborhood 4th of July parades and summer camp crushes. These days, luckily, that iconic flavor is just seven ingredients away.

Our homemade version of the red, white, and blue popsicle takes the classic taste up a notch with fresh fruit and juices. Made with blueberries and strawberries, as well as freshly-squeezed lemon and lime juice, our recipe replicates that nostalgically sweet flavor in a fresher fashion.

After a quick 10 minutes of blending and stirring on your end, you can let your freezer finish the job in a jiffy. Easy enough for any hot summer day and pretty enough to serve at a 4th of July or Memorial Day party, our red, white, and blue popsicles are worth the risk of a red tongue.

Ingredients for Red, White, and Blue Popsicles

To make these popsicles, you'll need:

Fresh strawberries: The base of the bright red layer for these popsicles. Can be swapped with raspberries or red cherries.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens each layer of the popsicle. Can be substituted with agave syrup or honey.
Fresh lemon and lime juice: The acidity enhances the flavors of the fresh fruits and adds balance to the sweetened yogurt layer. Can use store-bought juices in the place of fresh.
Whole-milk yogurt: A tangy base for the creamy center layer of this popsicle.
Heavy cream: Adds a rich texture to the yogurt layer once frozen.
Fresh blueberries: The base of the deep purple-blue layer in these popsicles.

Southern Living Red White and Blue Pops ingredients — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

How To Make Red, White, and Blue Popsicles

Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Make red layer: Process strawberries, some sugar, and a bit of lemon and lime juice in a blender until smooth. Strain; discard solids. Portion 3 tablespoons into each ice-pop mold. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
Step 2. Make white layer: Stir together yogurt, heavy cream, sugar, and more lemon and lime juice. Portion the mixture into each ice-pop mold. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
Step 3. Make blue layer: Process blueberries, remaining sugar, lemon and lime juice until smooth. Strain; discard solids. Portion into each ice-pop mold.
Step 4. Freeze: Insert popsicle sticks into molds; freeze until solid, about 6 hours.

How To Store Red, White, and Blue Popsicles

Once frozen, unmold popsicles and transfer to a freezer bag for longer storage. (The airtight seal will save them from potential freezer burn and make them easier to store.)

If transporting to a party, pop the bag into a cooler and layer with ice or ice packs.

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

2 cups hulled and quartered fresh strawberries
6 Tbsp. granulated sugar, divided
3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon), divided
3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (from 2 medium limes), divided
1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
3 Tbsp. heavy cream
2 cups fresh blueberries

Directions

Make strawberry layer:

Process strawberries, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and 1 tablespoon each of the lemon and lime juices in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing on solids; discard solids.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Pour about 3 tablespoons strawberry mixture into each of 8 (4-ounce) ice-pop molds. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes,

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Make yogurt layer:

Stir together yogurt, heavy cream, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and 1 tablespoon each of the lemon and lime juices in a bowl.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Remove molds from freezer; top each with about 2 tablespoons yogurt mixture. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Make blueberry layer:

Process blueberries, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and remaining 1 tablespoon each lemon and lime juices in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing on solids; discard solids.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Remove molds from freezer; top each with about 3 tablespoons blueberry mixture.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Freeze pops:

Insert popsicle sticks into molds; freeze until solid, about 6 hours. Just before serving, run molds briefly under hot water to release popsicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my popsicle layers meld together?

Don't rush the process for these popsicles. Make sure to freeze each flavor until firm for those perfect layers.
Can these popsicles be made dairy-free?

We have not tested a dairy-free version of these popsicles, but full-fat coconut milk is often used as a dairy-free base for frozen treats.
How can I increase the blue color in these red, white, and blue popsicles?

Natural blueberries tend to blend up purple. If you want to amplify the blue color, try adding blue gel color while blending the blueberry mixture.
How can I make popsicles without popsicle molds?

Even without traditional popsicle molds, you can still make popsicles. Try using paper or plastic cups, muffin pans, yogurt cups, or ice cube trays (for minis).