Cool and Fresh Strawberry Basil Paletas
We’ve passed Memorial Day so that means it’s officially summer. Here’s one of my favorite recipes from the archives, strawberry popsicles! Strawberry + basil makes strawberries taste even more strawberrylicious. I love these easy summer paletas, AKA popsicles, and I think you will too. Enjoy!
Recipe card & instructions updated 3/4/22.
Jump to RecipeHell’s bells…it’s HOT in these parts! It’s 100 degrees hot, with a dry wind that’s very reminiscent of a blow dryer. The air conditioner is cranking, and quite frankly so is my mood. So I think it’s high time for some paletas.
Strawberry popsicles or strawberry paletas?
What are paletas, you might ask? Paletas are Mexcan ice pops, usually made from pureed fruits. If you’ve ever been in Mexico in summer (or in downtown Los Angeles for that matter) you’ll see a dude pushing a little white cart with a bell attached calling out..paletas…paletas…Which I think can be directly translated into English as…if you have one of these it might be possible to fend off the impending heat stroke and certain death.
Friends, these icy treats will save you on the hottest days of summer. And the combinations of flavors are endless–melon & cucumber, blueberry & thyme, lime & mint…and for today, strawberry and Thai lemon basil. Basil + strawberry is one of my very favorite flavor profiles. The basil brings out the very essence of the strawberry, making it taste even more like itself. Regular basil is fine too, if you can’t find Thai lemon basil (I get mine from the farmers’ market).
It’s pretty hard to go wrong when luscious berries are infused with bright herbaceousness from the basil. I’m thinking that later I’ll chunk one of these strawberry popsicles up and stir in a little tequila…or vodka…or even prosecco, and eat it with a spoon whilst on my rocking chair in the shade of my front porch.
Need more help to beat the heat? These desserts are sure to help you chill out:
- Blueberry + Lemon Gluten Free Ice Cream Sandwiches
- The Best Homemade Lemon Honey Ice Cream
- Pure Mint Chip Ice Cream
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Strawberry Basil Paletas
Equipment
- 1 Popsicle Mold
Ingredients
- 1 pound ripe organic strawberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1¼ cups water
- ¼ cup lightly packed Thai lemon basil or other basil
Instructions
- Heat sugar and water together in a saucepan over medium high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add the basil and steep for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile stem and halve strawberries and puree in a blender or food processor. Stir in ½-3/4 cup basil simple syrup (strained to remove the basil), to taste.
- Pour into pop molds and freeze for 20 minutes. Insert sticks and freeze until solid, at least 3 hours.
Nutrition
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These look fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
Of course! 🙂
Just lovely, m’lady! I adore strawberries and basil, too. Such a fabulous flavor combo. Thanks for sharing! xo
Pinned your yummy popsicles and can’t wait to try them.
Could you also please share where you found your popsicle molds!
Hi Sharon Anne! This is where I found the molds. 🙂 http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-423-Ice-Pop-Maker/dp/B0002IBJOG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1407953196&sr=8-4&keywords=popsicle+molds
what kind of Molds are they ?
LOVE LOVE LOVE these!!!! I make these for my 3 kids all the time!!!!
I’m so happy to hear that — we love them to! 🙂
I love that color. My kids will crazy about that. Thank you so much`