Boozy Ice Pops: The best way to beat the summer heat

With the arrival of sun-drenched days and heat warnings in full effect, finding a way to cool down is imperative.

So go ahead and crank the AC, chill your sheets, and take a cooler than usual shower, but I’ve got something much better: popsicles + booze.

 An upgrade from the standard sticky fruit variety from childhood, boozy ice pops deliver the feel of a sophisticated cocktail with the added bonus of being chilled until frozen and modern convenience of being completely portable.

And while these ‘poptails’ won’t give you the same buzz as an actual tipple, consider these iced lollies a chill, low-to-no ABV to stay cool and hydrated this season.  

The ultimate summer treat has arrived. Take a look:

Charlie’s Frozen Treats
Online

Sure, you can choose from one of the many alcohol-free dairy-based and vegan selections, but It doesn’t get much more fun than these handcrafted spiked popsicles.

Tuck into Mojito made with premium white rum and fresh mint. Margarita packed with tequila, tequila, and more tequila, and some lemon. Classics such as Limoncello, Rosé, Moscow Mule, and Whisky Sour. And you’d be remiss not to try the Bourbon & Peach, boasting roasted Ontario peaches soaked in premium bourbon.

And you don’t even have to step out of your air conditioned comfort zone: These tipsy treats get delivered right to your front door (Minimum order of 20 popsicles, plus delivery fee).

The Pop Stand
1686B Danforth Ave.

The Davisville Village Farmers’ Market was bustling with activity on Tuesday - folks purchasing fresh produce, baked foods, and prepared foods from local farmers purveyors, while children stood rapt by a performer on stilts nearby. But the lineup at Kari Marshall’s The Pop Stand was one of the longest. And rapidly growing. 

Marshall makes handcrafted ice pops and cordials using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, available at her brick-and-mortar shop at Coxwell and Danforth, and at summer events such as this, other fairs and markets.

The flavours change and rotate depending on ingredients. There are seasonal selections as well. And while there are many alluring selections without a titch of booze (Blueberry Lavender Lemonade, Thai Coffee, Coconut Cinnamon, Mango Lassi, Strawberry Milkshake, Harvest Fudge, Rhubarb Pie, and Sour Plum Cardamom, for instance),  her cordials including Grapefruit Campari and Mint, Kentucky Cider, Peach Bourbon Iced Tea, Cherry Whiskey Sour, Guinness Gingerbread, and Rhubarb Ginger Sour, are the best way to get through any wicked heat wave. 

Wrestlers
Various locations

Paletas - Mexican-style popsicles - are larger than the North American variety and chock full of good stuff (fresh fruit and natural ingredients) without any of the bad (preservatives, chemicals, artificial colouring, etc.). A far cry from the water, sugar and artificially flavoured iced treats of our youth.

Wrestlers offers three categories: Fruity, Creamy, and Boozy. You’ll want to hone in on that last one, as there’s Beer, Wine, and Pina Colada to choose from. At last month’s Taco Fest, they also featured Mojito, so be on the lookout.

Grab these frozen cocktails-on-a-stick at La Tortileria’s various locations, cough Tokyo Smoke on Adelaide, and Wrestler’s Food Truck.