A simple recipe for refreshing, boozy Dark and Stormy popsicles. Jump to recipe.
Grocery stores often label the popsicle aisle “Frozen Novelties.” In a world of extreme buffalo chicken pockets and microwave breakfast sandwiches with waffles for bread, being singled out as a field of food notable for novelty is a big deal. Luckily for those of us who like to push limits, there’s a vast expanse of popsicles entirely unexplored by the giants of ice pop manufacturing, probably due to their own uptightness and that of our legal system. We’re talking about boozy popsicles.
Even more luckily, the appeal of boozy pops extends far beyond the pursuit of novelty. An ice pop is cold and refreshing, a summer cocktail is likewise. Combining the two only enhances the effect of each. For these, I went with one of our favorite summer drinks, the Dark and Stormy. Rum drinks often play up rum’s natural sweetness with a heavy dose of sweet fruits, I like how the Dark and Stormy goes the other direction, allowing the rum to complement the spiciness of a good ginger beer and the tartness of lime.
These pops play up the flavors of the Dark and Stormy by adding a little fresh ginger in the form of a homemade ginger simple syrup and adding some fresh lime juice, while still keeping it as a garnish of sorts. One word of advice is to get a good ginger beer like Reed’s or even a spicy ginger ale like Blenheim. The standard grocery store two liter just doesn’t have the piquancy that really makes these pops sing.
And hey, did you know it’s officially (hashtag) Popsicle Week? Yep. Put together by the talented and hilarious Billy of Wit and Vinegar, this year’s Popsicle Week madness features more than 100 recipes. Check out the popsicle week page throughout the week for all the popsicle inspiration you can handle. For last year’s popsicle week, I made striped berry buttermilk popsicles – you should probably check those out, too.
A simple recipe for refreshing, boozy Dark and Stormy popsicles.
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 4- inch knob of fresh ginger , peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 12- ounce bottle of ginger beer
- 1/2 cup dark rum
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1 lime , very thinly sliced
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Pour the ginger beer out in a large bowl and set aside. (The idea here is to let some of the carbonation fizz out of the popsicle so it doesn't overly expand while freezing.)
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To make the ginger simple syrup, combine the sugar, water, and ginger slices in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves, then set aside to steep for 10 minutes. Strain into a jar with a tight fitting lid.
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To make the popsicles, combine the reserved ginger beer, 1/4 cup ginger simple syrup, dark rum, and lime juice, and pour into popsicle molds, leaving about 1/2-inch of space at the top to allow for lime addition and expansion as it freezes. Push a slice of lime into each mold, set sticks in place, and freeze. Since they're boozy, popsicles will cure best when frozen overnight.
YES, PLEASE!!
omg! Dark and stormies are one of my favorite drinks; you’re utterly genius for turning them into popsicles. I love it.
So glad we are boozy popsicle twins today. Because, really is there anything better? I think not. I just love a good dark and stormy. So these are SO AWESOME! Hooray for popsicle week!
Hey hon, what popsicle mold do you have and do you love it?
Gorgeous pops!
Hi Aimee, Thanks! I have this one: http://www.worldmarket.com/product/popsicle+maker+trays%2C+set+of+2.do?&refType=&from=Search This one’s inexpensive and simple, and I like how well it places the wooden sticks. I’ve also had these: http://www.target.com/p/tovolo-groovy-popsicle-molds-set-of-6/-/A-11043792?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=11043792&CPNG=Kitchen&kpid=11043792&LID=26pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=11043792&kpid=11043792&gclid=CPPW4oLE2MYCFYmPHwodDHMKsw but I didn’t love them. My current set is simple, small, and easy to use. Hope that helps!
Dark and stormies are my husband’s favorite thing, and I just showed him this post and he’s fa-lipping out. xx
Looks amazing friend – I can’t wait to try these!
YES! This is too amazing, Elizabeth! B2 only recently discovered Dark & Stormies (when we went to a restaurant and he thought it was their specialty cocktail and it was like Christmas when he learned they’re actually…anywhere) and I think he would go bonkers for this. They look too good, and those thin slices of lime in every one make them even more dreamy.
dark and stormies are one of my fave drinks and these pops look absolutely dreamy. what a perfect way to cool off! 🙂
Dark and stormies are my jammm and I’m in love with these popsicles! Girl you get that boozy pop.
This is THE hot weather popsicle, for me. It is now one of the only reasons that I bother to exist in the summertime at all. Love it love it love it.
Such gorgeous photos, Elizabeth! Happy Popsicle Week! <3
My favorite cocktail! This is an inspired recipe. Gosling’s is my go-to for dark and stories and the company makes its own ginger beer. The Reed ginger beer is pretty good too.
These are so amazing, Elizabeth! Loving those thin slices of lime! 🙂
A cocktail on a stick – love it! And gorgeous photos too <3
These look SO amazing!! So glad I stumbled upon these via popsicle week, plus I spent a day with Sarah of SnixyKitchen and she was telling me about the time in Wisconsin and then I went to your blog and just fell in love. Your photos are so gorgeous, and I’m always down for boozy treats!!!
Boozy popsicles are awesome! It’s a shame they don’t sell them in grocery stores!!
DEAD. How are the lime slices so perfectly placed? Cue applause.
I’ve never made my own popsicles before but these look right up my ally! I love that you play up the ginger flavor 🙂
Absolutely love your creative idea with dark and stormy popsicles! Can I post it on my blog? Thanks for sharing!
Is a girly drink dark and stormy?
How long do these take to freeze? I tried making them but I’m a bit worried it won’t freeze enough due to the alcohol?
They will freeze up overnight.