Thankfully it has since broke, but this past week, we had the most insane heat wave here in Southern California. After living here just over a year, I haven’t felt anything quite like this. Several days of right around 100ºF and many days even a few degrees more. Now, we don’t get any of that nasty humidity I am used to from my days on the East Coast, but mugginess or not, 100 degrees is DAMN hot.
Early in the week, we had been in the desert, in Palm Springs, on a much needed anniversary getaway and we came home ready to work our butts off on the various projects we have going on in our cooler beach breeze town of Long Beach. Instead, without any air conditioning and not a breeze to be found, we found ourselves doing a lot of laying around in undergarments, drinking tons of water and we planned lots of meals at restaurants in air conditioning. Seriously guys, I sweat in places this week, that I didn’t even know was possible.
After our lovely organic farmer, Tony, dropped off our CSA box on Wednesday afternoon, I took a peek inside at the goodies and saw some beautiful freshly picked apricots and I instantly thought that they would be perfect for some boozy popsicles for the next day, that might help take my mind off of the furnace we were living in.
Waking up and realizing we were dealing with another insanely hot day was only tolerable, due to the fact that these delicious icy treats were in the freezer waiting to be eaten.
These popsicles have a delicate and slightly sweet tart flavor from the apricots, complimented beautifully by the aromatic cardamom and the creaminess of the coconut milk rounds it all out nicely. I added some bourbon to some of these and it was a really nice treat. For the ones for hubby, I simply left it out and used that extra shot as a bonus for chef. The non-boozy ones were just as good.
If you don’t have access to apricots, these popsicles are great made with peaches, as well.
While we may be out of this nasty heat wave that felt as if it were never going to end, I know the possibility of it happening is pretty likely, so I am happy to have the recipe for these babies in my back pocket now.
[print_this]Coconut Apricot Cardamom Bourbon Popsicles {Vegan}
makes 6 popsicles – I use this mold
- 1 lb fresh apricots, halved, pits removed
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup, to make vegan
- 1 can organic full fat unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- Pinch sea salt
Add all of the ingredients to your high speed blender and process until smooth and creamy. Pour the mixture into your molds, leave just a wee little bit of room and add the sticks.
Tap the molds on the countertop a handful of times once they are full, to try to get rid of all the air bubbles. Freeze for at least 4 hours or until totally frozen, or preferably just overnight.
I always find that I have to run my molds under (not too) warm water briefly to get the popsicles out of the molds. [/print_this]
Lookin’ for more frosty popsicle recipes?
Check these out:
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Popsicles
Roasted Balsamic Fig Popsicles
Creamy Chocolate (Avocado) Fudgesicles
18 Responses
I am dreading Utah’s inevitable heat in the coming months also. I basically live inside all summer long, but I will be sure to keep this delicious bourbon-y treat in mind!
Ooof thankfully So Cal is rarely this unbearable, usually at least where we are, we have a cool ocean breeze and our nights are even chilly. Make sure you have some of these on hand for when the worst of it hits and you’ll be A-OK. 😉
Lovely recipes and photo’s as always. Not trying to be a buzz kill but I was warned that Bourbon contains gluten? Might be from the fermented corn mash or the barrels? I am not really clear on it but just wanted to pass this along and say PLZ be careful 🙂 I will make this without the bourbon and they will still be awesome. THX dear girl.
Hi Kathy. Thanks for writing. I have heard differing things on this, but as someone that cannot consume ANY gluten or I will be sick sick sick, I have consumed bourbon since my diagnosis 10 years ago without any issues.
This is what I just read:
The National Institutes of Health and several major celiac societies in the U.S. and Canada say that distilled alcohol is considered gluten-free because the process of distillation removes the harmful gluten protein.
However, the Celiac Sprue Association recommends that people with celiac disease consume only alcoholic beverages that are not sourced from gluten-based grains … which would rule out bourbon.
But yes, simply leaving out the bourbon or adding in a spirit of your choice, would also work, too.
Wow all those flavors sound amazing together!
Thanks so much Sylvie. They all go together quite well, I am kinda obsessed.
These look amazing. I know what you are saying about the California heat wave. It was really hot in San Francisco which rarely happens! I am definitely going to try these. Do you think this recipe would work with Xylitol? Thanks.
Yeh I heard it was even bad up there in Nor Cal too. Crazy. I havent used Xylitol before in any recipes, but I am sure it would work just fine.
Your photos for these Coconut Apricot Cardamom Bourbon Popsicles are so arty! Great job.
Thanks so much Rachel, it’s more that they were melting SOOOO fast that I just had to go with what worked. No time for fun or props 😉 haha
Yum- I’ll have to try them with peaches as we have some U-pick peaches right now.
These would be great with peaches, too! For sure.
You had me at Bourbon! The rest of the ingredients sound awesome too!
Bourbon for the win 😉
Mmmm these look and sound like the PERFECT popsicles for a hot day! It doesn’t get into the 100s often here (I think…not sure, because, Fahrenheit. i don’t get it) but the humidity is a killer. These will be in my freezer this summer!
Thanks Sam! They really are perfect for those super icky hot days!! Yeh I would bet that it doesn’t get too close to the 100s there in Canada but yes that humidity. I grew up in Buffalo, right near the Ontario border and the humidity was just brutal. I don’t miss that at all. Hope you love these if you make them.
Popsicles are my favorite! I love this flavor combination!
Thanks Arsy, I totally love popsicles, too! This flavor combo is just soo good together, wish I could share 😉