Cool Down This Summer By Making These Wine Popsicles At Home

Summer is on the horizon, bringing with it the promise of spending time outdoors, socializing with friends and family, and of course, finding creative and fun ways to beat the heat. In a delicious twist on this noble pursuit, wine popsicles channel the spirit of summer with their flavor, fun, and ability to cool you down during the height of summer’s heat. Whether you only have a few ingredients, or your pantry is bursting with variations for this classic summer treat, check out these recipes to get started on making your own wine popsicles at home.

Blackberry Sangria Popsicles

This recipe comes from Gina Buck, the beverage director of Concord Hill, a restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh blackberries
• 3/4 cup sugar
• dash of salt
• 1 1/2 cup water
• Two 750 ml bottles of Rose wine - Your wine choice is very important! Stick to a quality dry rose, not too sweet or dark in color. My go to is Red Car's Rose from California. 
• 1 cup cognac
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 cups sliced peaches and or plums
• fresh basil

Instructions:

For the Sangria:

• In a saucepan, combine 2 cups of blackberries, sugar, salt, and water. 
• Bring to a boil and then lower the heat, simmering for 10 minutes and stirring occasionally. 
• Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes in the pan. 
• Strain out the berries and gently push them in your colander to remove as much liquid as you can. We don't want to mash or muddle the berries. 
• Discard blackberries, and let the syrup cool completely.
• In a large container or bowl, add wine, cognac, lemon juice, sliced fruit, remaining blackberries, a few sprigs of basil, and cooled syrup. 
• Stir, cover, and refrigerate for a minimum of 12 hours. I usually let mine sit overnight. Remove the basil sprigs before serving as sangria.

To transform them into popsicles:

This part is easy. Whether you have popsicle molds, ice trays, or zip lock bags, use your imagination! I prefer little ziplock bags, though they can be a bit trickier to keep molded while they freeze. 

• Ladle out some of the sangria, if you want to keep some of the fruit in there, go for it!
• Pour it into the top of the bag through a funnel, and keep the zipped part upright. The easiest way to do this is to tape the top of the bag to a container while it freezes, creating a push-up popsicle form. 
• Once frozen, open the bag, squeeze, and enjoy! 

Frozé del Diablo Popsicles

This recipe yields 6 popsicles and uses half a bottle of wine. To use the entire bottle of wine, get a second large 6-cube ice tray and double the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Casillero del Diablo Rosé
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce (white) balsamic vinegar
• 1 ½ ounces simple syrup
• 3 medium strawberries, plus additional
• Fresh basil
• Popsicle sticks
• 1 large 6-cube ice tray

 Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients in a blender (except basil, additional strawberries, and popsicle sticks) and blend until smooth. Let settle.
• Double strain into a standard large 6 ice cube tray.
• Slice additional strawberries and tear basil. Distribute evenly across the ice cube tray.
• Cover the tray with foil and stick popsicle sticks through into the ice cube molds.
• Freeze overnight for at least 12 hours.
• Carefully remove and enjoy responsibly.

Noble Winesicle

This recipe yields 12 popsicles.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 bottle of Noble Vines 515 Rosé
• 1 cup raspberry lemonade
• 4 medium-sized strawberries
• Handful basil leaves

Instructions:

• In a pitcher or blender, combine the rosé and raspberry lemonade.
• Cut the strawberries into small cubes or slices. Add to the rosé mixture and stir. Pour into popsicle molds. Make sure to evenly distribute the fruit. Add the basil leaves.
• Place in refrigerator and freeze for at least 3 hours. Enjoy as a regular popsicle or place them in a wine glass with some rosé.

Next Level Wine Popsicles

Ingredients:

• Bonterra Rosé
• Sparkling water – any flavor you fancy
• Honey
• Optional extras: sliced citrus, strawberries, kiwi, or pineapple

Instructions:

• Combine ⅓ Bonterra Rosé with ⅔ sparkling water.
• Mix in honey to sweeten to taste.
• Place sliced fruit of your choosing in popsicle molds and fill with liquid mixture.
• Freeze until solid and enjoy!