The flavor of these Cherry Lemonade Popsicles is pure, vibrant, fresh cherry with a touch of citrus — they’re one of the joys of summer!
A popsicle doesn’t have to have a lot of bells and whistles to be gloriously delicious, and these Cherry Lemonade Popsicles prove it. The cherry flavor is intense, and that’s because they’re made from nothing more than pure cherry puree with the tiniest touch of sugar, and fresh lemon juice. In this case the sugar is used to enhance the flavor rather than to sweeten. I’ve never had a more vivid tasting, utterly refreshing popsicle.
This is a formula you can apply to lots of summer fruit, and I plan to do just that, but it’s cherry season right now, so these need to happen asap. Grab your cherry pitter and a pound of cherries and let’s get to work. We’re going to puree the cherries, sugar, and lemon juice in a food processor or blender. I strain it, but you don’t have to if you’d like more texture. The puree goes right into the popsicle mold, it’s that simple.
I love my popsicle mold, I use it at least once a week during the hot weather and it’s a life saver. It’s probably the best $20 I’ve ever spent. I make all kinds of fruit pops, of course, but I also make ice cream bars in it. You can get as healthy or as decadent as you want with your mold, it does both equally well.
The little bit of sugar and lemon really serve to bring out the cherry flavor in these pops. They’re wonderful, I hope you try them.
The cherries for this recipe were generously provided by Northwest Cherries.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh pitted cherries
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the machine as necessary.
- This next step is optional, but I did it --- push the puree through a mesh sieve. Press firmly with the back of a spoon so you get as much as possible through.
- Fill the popsicle molds almost to the top. The puree will be thick enough that you can stand the sticks right in, without using the top to hold them.
- Freeze the popsicles until solid. To remove from the mold, immerse the mold up to, but not over, the top lip for just a few seconds in a sink full of hot water.
- To store the popsicles wrap well in plastic.
notes:
- Be sure to taste your puree and adjust it with more sugar or lemon if necessary. As always, the quality of your fruit will affect your final product, trust your instincts! Add a touch of vanilla or almond extract if you like. Even a bit of cherry liqueur would be fun to try.
- If you don’t have a popsicle mold you can make these with paper cups, just peel the cup away when you’re ready to eat.
- If you can’t get fresh cherries, use frozen.
- Cherry pitters are inexpensive and worth their weight in gold, you can find them here.
Don’t forget to pin it!
what I used for this recipe (the photos are clickable)
39 Comments
Angela
July 8, 2017 at 5:50 amHi
Beautiful!
Could you do this with strawberries or other fruit too?
Sue
July 8, 2017 at 7:02 amAbsolutely, almost any fruit, I’ve done peach and plum already on the blog. Just search under Popsicles in my recipe index.
Valerie
June 17, 2017 at 2:46 pmI just made the puree for these popsicles using frozen cherries and man, they are delicious! Can’t wait till they are frozen. My son and I maaaay have been eating it with a spoon!
Gorgeous pictures, by the way!
Sue
June 17, 2017 at 3:15 pmThanks Valerie, I’m so glad you liked these, I just got a big bag of fresh cherries at the supermarket!
Susan
July 2, 2016 at 9:31 amNow I wish I would have picked up that bag of cherries at the market this morning! Pinning for my next shopping trip :)
Laura | Tutti Dolci
June 29, 2016 at 5:48 pmGorgeous pops, that color is stunning!
Katherine | Omnivore's Cookbook
June 29, 2016 at 10:13 amHow can something so simple with 3 power ingredients look and sound this good! Awesome work here!
Abbe@This is How I Cook
June 28, 2016 at 7:01 pmYou are the popsicle girl! And I am so happy! Anther awesome recipe, Sue!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners
June 28, 2016 at 5:50 pmOk, first of all I’m falling over at those fabulous photos!! Holy cow, Sue! Stunning work :)
Secondly, there’s nothing better than creating fabulous flavors with strong, simple flavors. A winner in every way!
cheri
June 28, 2016 at 9:44 amWe are able to buy the most delicious cherries at roadside stands right now, pinned. Making these delicious looking pops, my family will love these. Thanks Sue!
Medeja
June 28, 2016 at 3:53 amI love cherries! I could eat tons of these popsicles!
Sue
June 28, 2016 at 8:06 amThey taste just like fresh cherries, only better! ;)
Jennifer @ Delicious Everyday
June 27, 2016 at 10:08 pmThese look so good! I love cherries, although I have to admit I’ve never tried a cherry popsicle. Something tells me I’d love this though. :)
Sue
June 28, 2016 at 8:07 amI love doing recipes like this that aren’t things you can find out in the market. I think you don’t see real fruit cherry pops because cherries are so seasonal and fairly expensive.
Valentina
June 27, 2016 at 9:45 pmWhat a gorgeous color! I love the intensity of the few ingredients. Fantastic!
nicole
June 27, 2016 at 7:25 pmI’m pinning this because I want to reach through the screen and eat one of these!! Love lemon with fruit — makes it so bright!!
Sue
June 27, 2016 at 7:43 pmI was surprised at how much the little bit of lemon helped the cherry flavor come alive, thans Nicole :)
Amanda
June 27, 2016 at 7:18 pmThese look so fantastic! I need a cherry pitter and a popsicle mold. What brand is your popsicle mold? I’d love to make this recipe! Great work on this!
Sue
June 27, 2016 at 7:23 pmI link to the popsicle mold at the bottom of the post, it’s one that’s marketed under several different brands, but it’s the one I like and use.
Sara
June 27, 2016 at 4:42 pmI just pulled my popsicle molds out of storage so I’ll definitely be trying these soon!
Sue
June 27, 2016 at 5:04 pmI love that moment every year — let the fun begin!!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
June 27, 2016 at 2:40 pmThe color has me mesmerized! I can’t believe there are so few ingredients – love it! Cherry lemonade is a personal favorite – sharing and pinning!
Teresa Davis
June 27, 2016 at 12:07 pmAny alternatives to the sugar? My husband can’t have sugar, honey, agave, etc. I frequently use a frozen juice concentrate and/or a no sugar added jam. I have apple concentrate, cherries, lemon. Will give it a try!
Sue
June 27, 2016 at 12:29 pmYou really don’t need the sugar, there’s so little of it in there, but any other sweetener will do just fine, too!
Sue
June 27, 2016 at 12:30 pmGive your puree a taste and see if it needs anything, first :)
Kate @ Veggie Desserts
June 27, 2016 at 11:54 amI adore cherries, so these sound like my perfect popsicles!
Chris Scheuer
June 27, 2016 at 8:09 amI just happen to have a big bowl of cherries in the freezer! Yum, they sound wonderful and I love the pure, simple ingredients.
Sue
June 27, 2016 at 8:37 amI think you’ll love these Chris, they’ve got more ‘cherry’ impact than the fruit itself!
kathi @ LaughingSpatula
June 27, 2016 at 7:37 amBoy those are beauties! The color and texture look amazing and your photo’s are gorgeous as usual…i think I need that popsicle mold!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
June 27, 2016 at 7:09 amPopsicles are my favourite way to cool down in the summer heat, so I’m loving these! Love all the cherries in them and they look so full of flavour!
Liz @ I heart vegetables
June 27, 2016 at 6:40 amThese look incredible! I love the color! I actually just bought a popsicle mold so I need to try this :)
Azlin Bloor
June 27, 2016 at 6:34 amOh boy, I fell in love with this recipe just looking at that colour! Will have to give it a try this summer, thank you!
Renz
June 27, 2016 at 6:13 amThese are gorgeous. My mom would love these. she is a cherry freak.. lol
Sue
June 27, 2016 at 6:22 amThanks to the lemon, the cherry flavor in these pops really ‘pops’ ;) so I’m sure she’d flip over them…
Lisa @garlicandzest.com
June 27, 2016 at 6:03 amThese popsicles look REALLY good! Cherries are my absolute — all time– favorite summer fruit, too! Can’t wait to make these!
Sue
June 27, 2016 at 6:06 amI think cherries are the ultimate luxury when it comes to fruit, probably because you can’t get them year round like so many other fruits. Thanks for stopping by Lisa :)
janie
June 27, 2016 at 5:52 amThat is so simple and looks SOOO good! Thanks for sharing :)
Janie x
Angie@Angie's Recipes
June 27, 2016 at 3:26 amI love popsicles more than ice cream! This one looks so beautiful.
Sue
June 27, 2016 at 5:36 amThanks Angie, I think these might just be my favorite popsicles, and I’ve made LOTS!