Spring conjures images of sunshine and flowers, but this spring has been thoroughly soggy with rain, rain, and more rain. You’d think with all this wet weather, we’d at least get a few rainbows, but despite some serious rainbow sleuthing with my daughter over the past few weeks, we haven’t spotted a single one. Yesterday, I took matters into my own hands and made these cheery rainbow popsicles.
Made with fresh lemonade, orange and pomegranate juice, these popsicles are juicy and sweet rainbow treats. Rainbow popsicles are pretty easy to make, but they take time since each layer needs to freeze before you add the next one. This basic recipe is also a great jumping off point for your own custom-color and flavor combinations.
Homemade Rainbow Popsicles
makes twelve 4 oz. popsicles
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 cups pomegranate juice
3 cups lemonade
1 cup orange juice
food coloring (natural food coloring is available at some health food stores)
Dixie cups
wooden popsicle sticks
In a medium sauce pan, heat the sugar and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and stir until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat, and stir in the corn syrup. Set aside to cool.
Next, prepare and chill the liquid layers:
Red: combine 1 cup pomegranate juice, 2 tablespoons simple syrup, and 2 drops red food coloring.
Orange: combine 1 cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons simple syrup, and 1 drop red and 1 drop yellow food coloring.
Yellow: combine 1 cup lemonade, 2 tablespoons simple syrup, and 1 – 2 drops yellow food coloring.
Green: combine 1 cup lemonade, 2 tablespoons simple syrup, and 1 – 2 drops green food coloring.
Blue: combine 1 cup lemonade, 2 tablespoons simple syrup, and 1 – 2 drops blue food coloring.
Purple: combine 1 cup pomegranate juice, 2 tablespoons simple syrup, and 2 drops blue and 1 drop red food coloring.
Pour the red layer into your Dixie cups, to about 1/4” thickness, and freeze for 30 minutes. Add the orange layer, in the same way, and freeze for another 30 minutes. Place the sticks in the center (the two layers should hold them pretty well), pour in the yellow layer, and freeze for another 30 minutes. Add the green, blue, and purple layers in the same fashion. The purple will come very close to the top of the cup, so handle carefully. Allow the popsicles to freeze for 3 hours, though for optimal curing, let them freeze overnight.
There will be some simple syrup leftover–keep it in your fridge for future popsicle, lemonade, or cocktail making.
To serve, simply make a small incision in the rim of the Dixie cup and tear the cup off
