Pin it Last February, my friend texted me a photo of strawberry mimosas at brunch with the caption "why aren't these a popsicle yet?" I laughed, but then couldn't stop thinking about it. That afternoon, I grabbed fresh strawberries, orange juice, and a bottle of Prosecco, and started experimenting in my kitchen. The first batch was too boozy, the second too watery, but by the third attempt, something magical happened—these jewel-toned popsicles that tasted like celebration in frozen form. Now they're my go-to for any gathering where I want to show up with something that feels a little fancy but tastes like pure fun.
I made these for a Valentine's Day brunch last year, and my friend Sarah's eight-year-old daughter literally gasped when she bit into one. "It's like sparkly strawberries!" she said, and suddenly everyone was fighting over them. What started as an adult treat became the thing every person at that table remembered most, which tells you something about how joy works—sometimes the simplest frozen fruit wins the day.
Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries: Use the ripest ones you can find because they're the whole flavor story here; I learned the hard way that sad, pale berries make sad, pale popsicles.
- Orange juice: Fresh-squeezed is worth it if you have time, but good-quality store-bought works beautifully too.
- Sparkling wine: Prosecco and Champagne are classic, but honestly, affordable sparkling wine tastes just as good frozen.
- Honey or agave syrup: These are optional, but I usually add a tablespoon because strawberries can be tart depending on the season.
- Strawberry slices or edible flowers: This is the decorator move that makes people think you spent hours on these; it takes thirty seconds.
Instructions
- Blend the berry base:
- Toss your strawberries and orange juice into a blender and go until the mixture is completely smooth, stopping to scrape the sides if needed. You want no strawberry chunks hiding in there.
- Taste and sweeten:
- Have a small taste right from the bowl—this is when you decide if it needs honey or agave. Err on the side of less sweetness because the wine will add its own notes.
- Marry the flavors gently:
- Pour your strawberry-orange mixture into a bowl and slowly stir in the sparkling wine with a gentle hand, like you're folding rather than mixing. This keeps those bubbles alive.
- Fill the molds:
- Pour the mixture into your popsicle molds, leaving about half an inch of space at the top so everything has room to expand as it freezes. If you want the pretty look, slip a thin strawberry slice or tiny edible flower into each mold before you fill it completely.
- Insert the sticks:
- Once the molds are full, pop in your popsicle sticks and let them sit for about thirty minutes so they anchor properly before the full freeze.
- Freeze solid:
- Set these in the freezer for at least four hours, preferably overnight so they're completely set and won't break apart when you pull them out.
- Release with warmth:
- When you're ready to serve, run the outside of the molds under warm water for about ten seconds and gently push the popsicles out from the bottom. They should slide out like magic.
Pin it There's something about serving these at a brunch or afternoon gathering that shifts the whole mood—suddenly people are laughing, clinking their popsicles together like they're making a toast, and for a moment, everyone feels a little bit more like they're on vacation. It stopped being just a frozen treat and became a ritual my friends now ask for by name.
Making Them Kid-Friendly Without Losing the Magic
I discovered early on that if you swap the sparkling wine for sparkling grape juice or even ginger ale, you get the same bubbly excitement without any alcohol. My niece absolutely destroyed a batch made this way, and honestly, I think they might taste even better because the grape juice adds this subtle sweetness that makes it feel less like "adult" and more like "celebration." The edible flowers or strawberry garnish becomes even more important here because it's the fancy touch that signals this isn't your average popsicle.
Timing Tips and Storage
Prep these the night before a brunch and you'll be stress-free when guests arrive—just pour and freeze before bed, and they're ready to wow people by morning. Once they're fully frozen, you can pop them out and store them in the freezer for up to two weeks in an airtight container or freezer bag, though I've never had a batch last that long because people keep finding them and sneaking them.
Serving Suggestions and Flavor Twists
Serve these straight from the mold, or for the extra-fancy moment, present them standing up in champagne coupes or wine glasses with a tiny splash of fresh orange juice around them. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice added to the mixture before freezing gives everything a bright, tangy edge, and I've also experimented with a tiny splash of vanilla extract which sounds weird but somehow works beautifully with the strawberry and citrus.
- Make them mini by using silicone ice cube trays instead of regular popsicle molds for bite-sized pops that disappear in one satisfying bite.
- Garnish the top with a tiny edible glitter or sugared rim on the mold for maximum visual impact.
- Keep extras in the freezer for those random afternoons when you need a small celebration for no particular reason.
Pin it These popsicles have become my answer to "what should I bring?" because they're beautiful, delicious, and they always make people smile. Make them once and they'll become your thing too.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make these popsicles without alcohol?
Yes, substitute sparkling wine with sparkling grape juice for an alcohol-free version that's equally refreshing.
- → How long should I freeze the popsicles?
Freeze for at least 4 hours or until completely solid to ensure proper texture and ease of serving.
- → Can I add extra sweetness to the mix?
Absolutely, honey or agave syrup can be added after blending the fruit for a touch of natural sweetness.
- → What garnishes work well for these popsicles?
Small strawberry slices or edible flowers placed in the molds add an attractive and fresh decorative touch.
- → Are these suitable for children?
Use non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice and avoid honey for children under one year old to keep it safe and enjoyable.
- → What tools are needed to prepare these pops?
A blender to puree the fruit, a mixing bowl to combine ingredients gently, popsicle molds, and sticks for freezing and serving.