Perhaps one of summer’s greatest gifts is the simple pleasure of enjoying a cool treat on a hot afternoon. Boost the nutrient density of that particular seasonal ritual with this trio of superfood popsicles created by Sakara Wellness Coach and avid plant-based home cook, Sasha Pagni. “Herbal popsicles have become one of my favorite ways to include herbal allies in my daily life,” she says. Each pop starts with an infusion or tea as its base, which Pagni makes extra-strong with a lengthy steep that helps the plants release their medicinal components. All three variations offer distinct and delicious flavor along with healing, calming, hydrating, and refreshing effects.
Pagni notes each of the popsicles can be modified and adjusted to be as potent as you need, so feel free to experiment with measurements and steep times. During the warmer months, she often replaces one of her morning cups of hot tea with a cool pop to start her day with equal parts herbal healing and happy summertime nostalgia.
What You’ll Need:
Popsicle molds (If you don’t have a popsicle mold, you can use small cups, a muffin tin, silicone baking molds, ice cube trays, or large ice cube molds.)
Popsicle sticks
Loose herbs*
*A note from Sasha on sourcing: “Loose herbs can be found at Mountain Rose Herbs, the herb section of your local health food store (in fact, many Whole Foods stores carry loose herbs), or you can purchase tea bags from any grocery store (try Traditional Medicinals, Organic India, and Yogi Tea) and cut them open.”
Sunshine Pops
The Sunshine Pop is made with some of Sasha’s favorite soothing herbs that nourish the nervous system, aid in digestion, and support mood during tense times. They are sweet and floral in taste, energetically soft and cooling, and brighten any day with their joyful golden color (especially if you choose to mix in bee pollen before the pops set).
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons chamomile
- 2 tablespoons lemon balm
- 2 tablespoons milky oats (or oatstraw)
- 1 teaspoon lavender
- Peel from ¼ of a lemon
- Honey to taste
- Bee pollen to taste (optional)
Directions:
1. Prepare your tea or infusion by pouring 4 cups of boiling water over the herbs and lemon peel.
2. Steep for 30 min and taste. If you would like a stronger brew, steep for an additional 30 minutes and then strain. Mix in honey to taste.
3. Pour liquid into your popsicle mold of choice and freeze for one hour.
4. After one hour, add in the bee pollen to the molds and gently combine and then insert popsicle sticks into each individual pop and freeze for an additional four hours, or until completely frozen.
Pink Pops
This popsicle is a tribute to Sasha’s childhood summers: Picking fresh strawberries on the coast, eating entire watermelons by herself, and looking for wild roses. It combines some of the iconic tastes of summer and allows them to shine, just as they are. In addition to being delicious, this popsicle has healing elements from rose, tulsi, and basil. It’s an uplifting, restorative, and heart-opening blend of herbs that can help ease stress and nourish your spirit.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of fresh strawberries
- 2 cups cubed watermelon
- 3 tablespoons dried rose petals
- 2 tablespoons Tulsi (also called holy basil)
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon additional rose petals
Directions:
For this recipe, you can make a hot or cold infusion.
To make a hot infusion: Pour boiling water over 3 teaspoons rose petals and tulsi in a heatproof jar or teapot. Steep for 10 minutes and taste. if you like it stronger, steep for 20 minutes.
For a cold infusion: Place herbs into at least 4 cups of water and place at room temperature or in the fridge for 4-8 hours. Once steeping is complete, strain well.
1. Blend together the strawberries, watermelon, and basil. Once well blended, add in herbal infusion a half a cup at a time.
2. After you add a half cup of liquid, stop blending and taste. Repeat this step until the taste is to your liking. The pop should be fruity first and floral or herby second. If you want it sweeter, add more fruit. If you prefer more floral notes, add more infusion or additional rose petals.
3. Pour the fruit and herb infusion into your popsicle molds and freeze for one hour. After one hour, insert popsicle sticks in and freeze for at least an additional four hours or until frozen.
Peaceful Pops
This popsicle is based on a latte Sasha often makes for herself when she is feeling restless or blue. Ironically, the popsicle has a blue hue thanks to the lavender, reishi, and optional butterfly pea flower powder. This calming, hydrating (thanks to coconut water), and mood supporting popsicle also has a sweet, peppery, uplifting kick from the ginger.
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons lavender
- 1 tablespoon cardamom
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, chopped
- 2 cups of coconut water
- ½ cup coconut butter
- 3 tablespoons reishi powder
- 2 dates
- 1-2 tablespoons butterfly pea flower powder* (optional—gives the popsicle its blue-purple color)
Directions:
1. Place ginger and lavender into cold coconut water. Steep for at least four hours.
2. Pour the coconut water and herbs into a blender and blend with cardamom, coconut butter, reishi, dates, and butterfly pea powder. Blend until smooth and then taste. It should be creamy and taste of lavender and ginger. Use additional coconut butter, ginger, and lavender based on taste preference.
3. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for an hour. Insert popsicle sticks and freeze for an additional four hours or until frozen.
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