The hot July weather is ramping up! I love the summer and really enjoy the warm weather. Of course, that doesn’t mean that I don’t look for ways to cool off. We love going to the pool and our air conditioning is pumping the cool breeze indoors. When we’re outdoors during the day, I like to have a nice frozen treat when I come in from the heat. Last year I made a list of over 30 no-churn frozen treats and I am adding more this year. I’m starting with this recipe for Mai Tai Popsicles and showing you how to turn one of my favorite cocktails into a popsicle or smoothie!
The flavors of a Mai Tai
The origin of the Mai Tai has been debated. However, the Mai Tai that most people now know as a favorite tiki-themed drink originated from Trader Vic’s restaurant in California. The owner, Victor J. Bergeron, combined Jamaican Rum, lime juice, rock candy syrup, orange curacao, and some French Orgeat and the Mai Tai was born. The drink has evolved over the years and has many variations.
I based my recipe off of the original Mai Tai and included the following flavors:
- lime
- orange
- almond (the main flavor of Orgeat syrup)
- vanilla
- sweetener
I included the vanilla because Trader Vic’s rock candy syrup has a bit of vanilla added to the extra sweet syrup… plus it tastes great. Then I took the liberty of using maraschino cherries to add the sweetness since many times a Mai Tai is garnished with a maraschino cherry. Don’t these Mai Tai ice pops look delicious?
Making a Mai Tai popsicle
This Mai Tai popsicle recipe is pretty easy; however, you will need a blender and popsicle molds.
You just blend ingredients, pour into popsicle molds, add fruit, freeze and enjoy! In the image above, I add maraschino cherries and thin lime slices. After eating the popsicles, I decided that the I didn’t enjoy the lime slices. I’ve seen them in other popsicles before, so you may like it. You’ll have to give it a try and see.
Making a Mai Tai smoothie
If you’d prefer to make a smoothie instead of popsicles, you will still blend the ingredients, but add 2 cups of ice to the blender first. This should be enough for 2 large glasses of Mai Tai smoothie.
Mai Tai Popsicles & Smoothies
A perfect adult treat for a break from the summer heat. Omit the rum and kids can enjoy these ice pops and smoothies too!
Ingredients
- 1 Navel Orange, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 Lime
- 15 Maraschino Cherries
- 8 fl. oz. Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 5 1/3 oz. Lime Greek Yogurt
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 cup dark rum (optional)
- 2 cups ice (if making smoothies)
Instructions
- Cut the lime in half and squeeze out juice.
- In a blender, add the lime juice, orange chunks, 6 maraschino cherries, almond milk, yogurt and rum (if you like) and blend until incorporated.
- Pour into popsicle molds.
- Cut remaining maraschino cherries in half and add 3 to each popsicle. Use a fork or spoon to push each half to a different location so they are spread out in the popsicle.
- Place popsicle stick in the center.
- Put popsicles in freezer for at least 4 hours.
- Remove from freezer and run the molds under warm water for about 30 seconds.
- Gently pull on stick until the popsicle comes out. If it still doesn't come out, run under warm water for another 30 seconds.
- Store any unused pops in an air-tight container in the freezer.
Notes
For Smoothies: cut two thin slices of lime for garnish before squeezing the lime halves. Add 2 cups of ice to the blender before blending ingredients. Pour the smoothie into 2 large cups and garnish each with a lime slice and 1 maraschino cherry.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1 popsicleAmount Per Serving Calories 67Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 1mgSodium 10mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 1gSugar 8gProtein 2g
Nutrition information provided by Nutritionix and may not be complete. Please feel free to double check using your favorite nutrition calculator.
Have you ever made a cocktail into a popsicle or smoothie? Did you try this one? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
I’d love it if you shared this on social media. Just use the buttons below…
Scott says
I don’t think I’ve ever even had a proper Mai Tai. No idea what it tastes like!