Herbalicious Summer Treats

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Summer is coming and with it comes an abundance of fragrant, flavourful and healthy fresh herbs. Whether you have a backyard herb garden, are tending pots on your balcony, or prefer to pick up local organic herbs at Pomme, right now you’ll find an enticing selection of local herbs in season. From refreshing mint and invigorating rosemary to savoury sage and aromatic basil, there’s an herb to match any culinary creation you can dream up.

We’re all familiar with using fresh herbs for cooking, but have you ever thought of using them to elevate your cold beverages and summery treats, like popsicles and ice cream? It can be an interesting way to add a refreshing twist while also providing some added health benefits.

The idea of fresh herbs in popsicles or ice cream may seem a little unusual, but when you add in some fresh fruit, suddenly you have a surprisingly delicious flavour combo. A natural starting point is using the sweet berries that grow abundantly in BC. They’re bursting with sweetness (and antioxidants!) and are a perfect complement to herbs. Whether you prefer strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries, there are endless combinations that pair well together. Get creative mixing and matching herbs and fruit to see what you enjoy.

The secret to creating herb-infused drinks, popsicles and even homemade ice cream is to start by making a simple syrup. And don’t worry if you’re avoiding sugar—you can use a natural sweetener like stevia instead for sugar-free treats! 

Here’s the basic recipe for simple syrup with a herb infusion. By allowing the fresh herbs to simmer before straining, you’ll achieve a good intensity of flavour, along with some of the health benefits of the herbs. You can use many different types of sweetener for this: regular sugar, coconut sugar, or stevia for a sugar-free version. 

Simple Syrup: For cocktails, mocktails, ice cream, popsicles and more!

2 cups water
¼ cup stevia OR 1 cup sugar
Bring water and sugar/stevia to a boil, stirring constantly. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Add fresh herbs.
Let steep for 15 - 30 minutes then remove herbs.
Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Once you have the simple syrup prepared, then texture and flavour are elements you can really get creative with. When making popsicles, you can blend fruit into a puree for intensity of flavour and colour or leave it in pieces so you can enjoy the sight of seeing real berries, slices of fruit, sprigs of herbs, (even edible flowers if you want to get super fancy!) in a transparent popsicle.

Herb-infused Popsicles

Select the fresh fruit and herbs you want to use. Mix and match any combinations you like—here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Mint and watermelon

  • Sage, lime and blackberry

  • Rosemary and cherry

  • Lavender, lemon and blueberry

  • Basil and strawberry

  • Multi-herbs with berries or peaches

To make popsicles, first create your liquid base by adding some simple syrup to your liquid of choice (herbal tea, juice, coconut water or plain water) until slightly sweeter than you would like (once frozen, the sweetness level diminishes). Then simply add in any combination of fruit and herbs, freeze and enjoy!

If you want a creamier popsicle (AKA creamsicle), add some full-fat coconut milk or yogurt to the mix. 

Herb-infused Ice Cream

Even if you don’t have an ice cream maker, there are ways to make your own ice cream using coconut milk. Start with your favorite recipe and then add in some herb-infused simple syrup and some fresh fruit and herbs if desired. Imagine the possibilities!

We hope we’ve given you some ideas for new ways to elevate your summer beverages and treats by making the most of seasonal herbs and fruit. From herb-infused lemonades to fruity popsicles, there's no shortage of delicious and refreshing options to choose from. Embrace the vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and cooling sensations that these homemade treats offer. You’ll get the satisfying taste of summer captured in each sip and lick. So grab your blender, gather your herbs and fruits, and get ready to give your summer a herbalicious twist!