Spectacular! A Simple Spicy Sangria Popsicle Recipe

On a hot summer afternoon when things start to get drippy and the heat feels like a lead poncho, there’s nothing more refreshing than an icy glass of sangria – except perhaps an even icier sangria popsicle. Combining the pleasures of being an adult with a happy stick-dessert of childhood, the sangria popsicle delivers a refreshingly fruity blast of flavor along with just a hint of spice to wake up your frozen tongue.
For best results, choose organic ingredients: fruits, juices and even red wine taste better without pesticides. Don’t spend a fortune on the fruity wine, as freezing it will bruise some of the more delicate flavors. You’ll need a popsicle mold, popsicle sticks, and enough time to let the treats to freeze completely. For a non-alcoholic version, check out the notes below.
Serves 8
Ingredients
Method
1. Place your popsicle molds in the freezer so they’ll be nice and cold to fill.
2. In a large saucepan, boil your apples, pears, plums and wine on high heat until it reduces by half, about 15 minutes.
3. In another saucepan, bring water and sugar to boil and cook until all the sugar is dissolved, and let cool.
4. Add the sugar syrup to the wine mixture, and stir in the rest of the ingredients. Refrigerate until completely chilled.
5. Pour your sangria mixture through a strainer on top of a pitcher. Discard fruit pieces or enjoy a spirited fruit salad. Pour the liquid into molds, leaving ¼” of space at the top for the juice to expand as it freezes.
6. Freeze until just set, and then add your popsicle sticks. Continue freezing for four more hours or until solid, then enjoy your spicy summer dessert somewhere in the sunshine!
Notes:
The non-alcoholic version of these sangria popsicles is even easier to make. Leave out the bottle of wine, the water and sugar, because you don’t have to reduce anything or make simple syrup – in fact, you don’t have to cook at all. Just add the rest of the ingredients to a pitcher along with an additional 1 cup grape juice and ½ cup fresh orange juice. Chill for four hours, and then follow the instructions from Step 5 on. If you are making this for kids, you might want to leave out the cayenne pepper as well.
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