Stay cool this summer with these bright, mouth-puckering Lemon and Ginger Ice Pops. They balance tart lemon, clean citrus zest and a warm ginger bite for a refreshing treat. If you enjoy contrasts of sour, sweet and spicy, these popsicles are ideal. My five-year-old, a devoted lemon fan, loved the lemon flavor but found the ginger a bit sharp for her taste; next time I plan to make half the batch without ginger for the little ones. My husband adored the ginger kick and asked for more. These are easy to customize — reduce the ginger for a milder spice, or cut the sugar and sweeten with an alternative sweetener to suit your needs.
These pops are adapted from the Ice Pops! Cookbook and simplified for home kitchens. You can sweeten them with granulated sugar, a sugar-stevia blend, honey, or another sweetener you prefer. Any standard freezer pop mold or pop maker will work — a basic freezer pop maker makes assembly quick and neat.
Lemon and Ginger Ice Pops
Keep cool this summer with these mouth-puckering pops! If you love contrasting sensations of sour, sweet and spicy, you’ll love these ice pops.
Yield: 10 popsicles
Serving size: 1 popsicle
Prep time: 20 mins (plus freezing)
Total time: about 3 hrs 20 mins (includes freezing)
Calories per serving: 62 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 oz fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped (about a 2¾-inch piece)
- 3½ cups water
- ¾ cup sugar (or substitute to taste)
- 5 tablespoons lemon juice (from about 3 lemons)
- Zest of 3 lemons
- 10 ultra-thin half slices of lemon, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the chopped ginger, water, sugar and lemon zest in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Simmer just until the sugar fully dissolves and the ginger flavors the liquid, then remove the pan from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Allowing it to steep while cooling extracts the ginger aroma without overcooking the lemon zest.
- Pour the cooled mixture through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing down on the ginger with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid and flavor as possible. Discard the solids.
- Stir in the lemon juice until combined. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity: add more sugar or a touch of honey if you prefer sweeter pops, or a little extra lemon for more tartness.
- Carefully pour the liquid into your ice pop molds, leaving about 1/4 inch at the top of each mold to allow for expansion as they freeze. If using, place an ultra-thin slice of lemon in each mold for a pretty garnish, then insert the sticks.
- Freeze for at least 3–4 hours or until fully solid. For easiest release, briefly run the outside of the molds under warm water for a few seconds before pulling out the popsicles.
Notes
This recipe is adapted from the Ice Pops! Cookbook. The ginger gives these pops a warming, slightly spicy finish; for a milder version that children may prefer, halve the ginger or omit it from half the batch. Sugar amount is flexible — use your preferred sweetener and adjust to taste.
Tips and Variations
- Make a split batch: pour half the mixture plain lemon for kids, and keep the ginger in the other half for adults who enjoy the spice.
- Alternate sweeteners: swap part or all of the sugar for honey, agave, or a sugar-free option like stevia. If using liquid sweeteners, add after straining and taste before freezing.
- Ginger intensity: to maximize gentle ginger flavor without heat, simmer briefly and strain well. For a bolder ginger note, increase the ginger slightly or let it steep longer while cooling.
- Presentation: slide a thin lemon slice against the sides of the mold before filling for an attractive, translucent garnish.
- Unmolding tip: dip mold bottoms in warm water for 10–20 seconds to loosen popsicles for easy removal.
Storage
Store the finished popsicles in an airtight container or sealed freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. They will keep well for up to a month. If you plan to store long-term, wrap each pop individually in plastic wrap before placing in a container.
Serving Suggestions
These Lemon and Ginger Ice Pops are refreshing on their own, perfect for hot afternoons, outdoor gatherings or as a light dessert. Pair them with iced tea or a cold sparkling water for a bright palate cleanser. They also work well as a palate refresher between spicy dishes.
Nutrition (approximate)
- Calories: 62 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
