Ever since my strawberry chamomile popsicles have slid from the mold, my toddler has been obsessed. I've been playing around with gifted organic teas from Tea Forte to explore what depth of flavor I could get into these popsicles by using tea blends. It's been a fun adventure to be creative while making something both tasty and healthy for my gal. Getting more herbal tea into her while she has a cooling summer treat is a win win Now, when she hears the Vitamix, she thinks I am making her more popsicles!
The recipe lists are simple. I am letting ingredients speak for themselves. That means a steeper brew than if you were drinking the tea and cooking or roasting the fruit for a deeper flavor.
Blueberry with Lemon Lavender Tea
Cooked blueberries make for a sweet, rich flavor that compliments lemon and lavender in this calming, fruity concoction.
6 tsp Lemon Lavender tea
8 oz water, boiling
2 c blueberries
4 tbsp honey
Pour just boiling water over tea.
Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
Strain.
In a saucepan, cook blueberries with the tea over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Stir regularly.
Turn off heat and stir in honey.
Blend until smooth in a Vitamix or blender.
Pour into molds and freeze for at least 6 hours.
Roughly makes 4 pops
Roasted Pineapple with Ginger Lemongrass Tea
Pairing tropical spices with full bodied roasted pineapple simply screams summer.
6 tsp Ginger Lemongrass Tea
8 oz water, boiling
2 c pineapple, chopped
4 tbsp honey
4 tsp coconut cream
Pour just boiling water over tea.
Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
Strain and stir in honey and coconut cream.
Broil pineapple for 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can grill it.
Blend tea mixture and pineapple until smooth in a Vitamix or blender.
Pour into molds and freeze for at least 6 hours.
Roughly makes 4 pops
Roasted Banana with Turmeric Tantra Chai
Heady spices are grounded with the earthy, mellow roasted bananas.
4 tsp Turmeric Tantra Chai
8 oz water, boiling
2 bananas, medium sized
2 tbsp honey
4 tsp coconut cream
Pour just boiling water over tea.
Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
Strain and stir in honey and coconut cream.
Roast bananas in skins at 300 degrees for 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can grill them.
Blend tea mixture and bananas until smooth in a Vitamix or blender.
Pour into molds and freeze for at least 6 hours.
Roughly makes 4 pops
Mint Chocolate Cookie with Belgian Mint Tea
Rich and refreshing, this one is for mama. I love mint ice cream, but could typically do without the chocolate chunks. Blended together here in this popsicle, I couldn't put it down!
4 tsp Belgian Mint Tea
8 oz water, boiling
6 tsp coconut cream
1/2 mint extract
2 tsp cocoa or cacao powder
8 mint chocolate wafer cookies, such as Goodie Girls, plus more for garnish
4 tsp maple syrup
Pour just boiling water over Belgian Mint tea.
Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
Strain.
Mix tea with remaining ingredients in a Vitamix or blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into molds.
Bonus: crumble additional cookies to garnish the base of the pops.
Freeze for at least 6 hours.
Roughly makes 4 pops