Refreshing Green Tea Ice Pops Recipe 🍵❄️
Introduction
Cool down with these delightful Green Tea Ice Pops, a lean and refreshing twist on traditional iced tea! 🌿 Perfect for a quick snack or a light dessert, these popsicles are easy to make and bursting with flavor. With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of freezer time, you’ll have a batch of these icy treats ready to enjoy whenever you need a refreshing pick-me-up. Let’s dive into the recipe!
Recipe Overview
- Name: Green Tea Ice Pops 🍵❄️
- Category: Lunch/Snacks 🍴
- Keywords: Weeknight, Freezer, Stove Top, Easy 🕒❄️🍳
- Prep Time: 15 minutes ⏳
- Cook Time: 5 hours (includes freezing time) ⏰
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes ⏰
- Servings: Varies depending on mold size 🍦
Ingredients
- 5 cups hot water 🌡️🔥
- 2 teaspoons green tea leaves 🍵
- 1/2 cup sugar 🍚
Instructions
- Boil the Water: In a saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over medium heat. 🍵🔥
- Steep the Tea: Once the water is boiling, add 5 teaspoons of green tea leaves to the saucepan. Allow the tea to steep for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your desired strength. Stir occasionally. ☕⏱️
- Sweeten the Tea: After steeping, strain the tea to remove the tea leaves. Return the strained tea to the saucepan and add 1/2 cup of sugar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. 🍯🥄
- Prepare the Popsicle Molds: Carefully pour the sweetened tea into popsicle molds, leaving a little space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing. 🍵🍦
- Freeze Initially: Place the filled popsicle molds in the freezer and allow them to freeze until they reach a slushy consistency, about 1 to 2 hours. Insert popsicle sticks into the semi-frozen mixture. 🥶🍦
- Final Freeze: Return the popsicle molds to the freezer and continue freezing until the popsicles are completely solid, typically about 3 to 4 hours longer. ❄️🍡
- Serve and Enjoy: Once fully frozen, remove the popsicles from the molds by running them under warm water for a few seconds. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing taste of Green Tea Ice Pops! 🌿🍵🍦
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 48.4
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 3mg
- Carbohydrates: 12.5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 12.5g
- Protein: 0g
Tips and Variations
- Variety of Tea: Experiment with different types of green tea for unique flavor profiles. Sencha, matcha, or jasmine green tea are excellent choices.
- Add Fruit: Enhance the popsicles with a few slices of fresh fruit, such as lemon, lime, or kiwi, for a burst of freshness.
- Coconut Milk: For a creamier texture, substitute some of the water with coconut milk. This adds richness and a hint of tropical flavor.
- Sweeteners: Adjust the amount of sugar to suit your taste preferences. You can also use honey, agave nectar, or stevia as alternative sweeteners.
- Herbal Infusions: Infuse the tea with fresh herbs like mint or basil for an extra layer of flavor and aroma.
- Garnishes: Before freezing, sprinkle some edible flowers or chopped herbs into the popsicle molds for a decorative touch.
Conclusion
Indulge in the pure, refreshing taste of homemade Green Tea Ice Pops, a delightful treat that’s perfect for any time of day. Whether you’re cooling off on a hot summer afternoon or simply craving a light and healthy snack, these icy popsicles are sure to hit the spot. With their simple preparation and wholesome ingredients, they’re a guilt-free pleasure you’ll want to enjoy again and again. Try making a batch today and savor the cool, soothing flavors of green tea in every bite! 🍵❄️🍦