Strawberry Daiquiri Popsicles

Last summer, I was hosting a backyard gathering on the hottest day of the season, and someone asked if I had anything cold to serve besides beer and lemonade. I'd been thinking about daiquiris all week but wanted something that wouldn't melt in the heat, and that's when the idea hit me like a refreshing breeze. Strawberry daiquiri popsicles with chunks of fresh fruit seemed like the perfect solution, and as it turned out, they became the star of the afternoon. Everyone crowded around the cooler asking for seconds, and I realized I'd accidentally created something that felt both fancy and effortlessly fun.

There's something magical about watching a group of friends discover these popsicles in your freezer mid-afternoon—the way their faces light up when they taste that rum and lime combination frozen solid is worth every minute of prep work. I made them for a colleague's birthday pool party, and she ended up asking for the recipe before we'd even finished eating the first round. That moment when food becomes a memory people actually talk about later is exactly why I keep coming back to this one.

Ingredients

• Fresh strawberries: Use the ripest ones you can find, as they're the backbone of the flavor—taste one before committing, because a pale strawberry will make pale-tasting popsicles.
• Granulated sugar: This dissolves cleanly into the mixture and helps balance the tartness of the lime without adding grittiness.
• Freshly squeezed lime juice: Bottled juice loses its brightness, so invest five minutes in squeezing real limes for that sharp, alive quality.
• White rum: Light rum lets the fruit shine rather than overpowering it with heavy spice notes.
• Water: This acts as a stretcher so the popsicles aren't too strong and freeze properly without becoming rock-hard.
• Diced kiwi, mango, and pineapple: Each fruit brings its own personality—the kiwi adds tartness, mango brings creaminess, and pineapple sharpens the tropical profile.
• Sliced strawberries: These distributed throughout the mold give you bursts of familiar flavor as you eat.

Instructions

Bake charming cakes, quick breads, and molded desserts that release cleanly for effortless decorating.

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Blend the Base:

Add your hulled strawberries, sugar, lime juice, rum, and water to the blender and let it run until the mixture is completely smooth with no visible berry seeds or chunks. Listen for the sound to change from chunky to silky—that's your signal it's ready.

Taste and Adjust:

Take a tiny spoonful and consider whether you want it sweeter or more tart; this is your last chance to fine-tune before freezing, so don't skip this step. A squeeze more lime juice can wake up a flat-tasting mixture in seconds.

Distribute the Fruit:

Divide all your fresh fruit chunks evenly among the eight popsicle molds, arranging them so they'll be visible and distributed throughout rather than settling to the bottom. It takes a minute but creates a prettier finished product.

Pour and Tap:

Carefully pour the strawberry mixture over the fruit until each mold is completely full, then tap the molds gently on the counter a few times to dislodge any air pockets hiding near the edges. Air bubbles can create hollow spots that make popsicles crack when you try to remove them.

Freeze Solid:

Insert your popsicle sticks and place the molds in the freezer for at least six hours, though overnight is even better if you can wait. The longer they freeze, the more solid and satisfying they become.

Release and Serve:

Run the molds under warm tap water for just ten to fifteen seconds, which softens the outer layer enough for the popsicles to slide out cleanly. If they're still stuck, give it another few seconds rather than pulling hard, which could snap the stick.

Save

What started as a practical solution to keeping people cool became a moment where everyone at the party felt a little bit more special, like we'd all been transported to a beachside bar for an afternoon. These popsicles have this uncanny ability to make even a simple backyard gathering feel like a mini vacation.

Scaling This Recipe for Crowds

If you're hosting more than eight people, simply double or triple the base mixture and proportional fruit—the math stays the same and the quality doesn't suffer. I once made five batches for a wedding shower and actually got complimented more on the popsicles than on my outfit, which tells you something about how memorable they are.

Making Them Alcohol-Free

Replace the rum with coconut water or add an extra quarter cup of lime juice if you want to serve these to kids or anyone avoiding alcohol. The flavor changes slightly but gains a cleaner, more refreshing quality that some people actually prefer on a scorching hot day.

Storage and Make-Ahead Strategy

These popsicles keep beautifully in the freezer for up to three weeks, which means you can make them days before a gathering and not think twice about it. I've learned the hard way that having a stash of these ready feels like insurance against unexpected guests or that moment when everyone's hot and thirsty at exactly the same time.

• Keep them in airtight containers or wrapped individually in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and flavor absorption from other foods.
• Label them with the date so you remember how long they've been frozen, though honestly they're so good they never last that long.
• Let them sit at room temperature for a minute or two before serving if you'd like them to be slightly easier to eat.

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Save

These strawberry daiquiri popsicles have quietly become my secret weapon for any warm-weather gathering, and I hope they become yours too. Once you make them once, you'll understand why people ask for them before they even ask for your WiFi password.

Cooking Guide

→ Can I make this without alcohol?

Yes, substitute the rum with coconut water or extra lime juice for a refreshing non-alcoholic version.

→ What fruits can I add besides those listed?

Feel free to mix in blueberries, peaches, or watermelon chunks for varied flavors and textures.

→ How long should I freeze the popsicles?

Freeze the filled molds for at least 6 hours until they are completely solid.

→ What tools are needed to prepare this dessert?

A blender, popsicle molds, sticks, and basic measuring tools like cups and spoons are required.

→ How can I easily remove the popsicles from molds?

Briefly run molds under warm water to loosen the popsicles before removing.