It’s hotter than the devil’s boxer briefs, and we could all use some relief. Scorching summers like this can make you long for the simple pleasures of childhood, like a homemade popsicle — because whose mother was going to pay for something she could make at home?
Similar to everything else that exists, the diaspora has found a way to put its own spin on frozen treats, varying up the way we can enjoy ice pops across all regions. No matter how you prefer your popsicles, as long as it cools you off, and leaves you with a red or blue tongue – mission accomplished.
1. Kool-Aid Cups
Sometimes referred to as a "cool cup, " this treat was usually sold in the hood by the candy lady for 50 cents or found in your grandma’s freezer. A simple solution that made the summer heat bearable during childhood, a styrofoam cup made a great insulator to keep the Kool-Aid frozen, and it was fun to peel off as you ate. In hindsight, it is terrible for the environment, but great for kicking it out on the stoop after running the streets all day.
My grandmother kept these in the freezer. Anyone had frozen Kool Aid in a styrofoam cup. #CoolCups #GrowingUpBlack pic.twitter.com/K0tBngJjUT— MADD DOGG C (@madd_dogg_c) July 15, 2015
2. Sweet Mother
In Liberia, West Africa, there’s a good chance that you passed the hot dry season sucking down “sweet mother,” frozen Kool-Aid poured into clear plastic sandwich bags. Also, shout out to Kool-Aid the real MVP. Best eaten on a side corner, it’s also a great slurpy once the Kool-Aid starts to melt a little bit.
YouTube | Luqisha Davis-Morais
3. Shaved Ice
In New York, seeing the shaved ice cart is as synonymous to summer heat as an uncapped fire hydrant. Typically, a wooden cart with several colorful flavors serves as the vehicle to this big-ass block of ice that's pushed down the street. How the ice doesn't melt under what's usually a dish towel is anyone’s guess, but the speed and precision that the shaved iceman used to fill the cone tends to be mesmerizing.
4. Snoballs
Similar to New York's shaved ice, New Orleans offers snoballs — though in this case, the ice is shaved with a machine into a very fine consistency. In addition to shaved ice and syrup, the snoball is sometimes known to have condensed milk added. Snoballs are taken very seriously in New Orleans — to the point of litigation.
YouTube | GoNOLA
5. Ice Cube Tray
The ice-cubed, summertime classic came through in a pinch when you had few other resources. Pour juice, soda or anything tasty in an ice tray and boom — instant dessert! Of course, you had to be careful who knew what was in the freezer, lest they become accidentally poached before you had a chance to enjoy them.
6. Store-Bought Mold
Well, if you want to get all fancy, a store-bought mold and a bag of popsicle sticks were a great investment. Though the childhood version usually just involved varying flavors of juice, soda or Kool-Aid, now that we’re over the age of 21, there are some pretty imaginative ways to flip these. There are spiked popsicle recipes all over the internet, but you can also find some healthy clean versions with fruit, herbs and other surprises.
YouTube | Tipsy Bartender
We may not be able to enjoy many childhood delights in adulthood, but homemade icy treats remain a nice memory and a current solution to these overheated summer days.
