Monday, December 9, 2013

Grape-Cucumber Ice Pops

There's nothing quite so refreshing as these cool-as-a-cucumber pops on a hot, sticky day. Juniper berries infuse the base of puréed green grapes, with diced cucumbers adding a little crunch. Create your own customized ice pop recipe with the Recipe Maker.



  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar




  • Pinch of kosher salt




  • 1 Tbs. juniper berries, lightly crushed




  • 2 cups green seedless grapes




  • 1 cup small-diced cucumber




Combine the sugar, salt, and 1/2  cup water in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and make sure the sugar has dissolved; add the juniper berries. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool completely. Strain through a fine strainer into a 1-quart liquid measuring cup, and discard the solids in the strainer.


Puree the grapes in batches in a blender. Measure out 2 cups of puree (save any extra for another use) and combine it with the syrup.


Distribute the diced cucumber among ten 1/3-cup pop molds. Add the fruit mixture to each mold, leaving about 1/4 inch at the top to allow for expansion. Stir gently with a Popsicle stick to distribute the diced cucumber. Freeze until partially frozen, about 1 hour. Insert sticks and freeze again until the pops are fully set, 4 to 6 hours more.


To unmold, dip the mold in a deep pan of hot water until the pops pull out easily, 30 to 40 seconds, or let sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes. Unmold and store the pops in individual resealable plastic bags; they’re best eaten within 3 weeks.


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