Coffee Popsicles

Attention coffee lovers! Having your morning cup of joe in popsicle form is an absolute treat on a hot summer day. It’s also a great way to enjoy a caffeine kick on the go. 

Even if you’re avoiding caffeine, you can still enjoy these frozen Coffee Popsicles. You can make these popsicles with freshly brewed decaf coffee or any healthy coffee-flavored substitute. 

I first tried a coffee popsicle on a hot afternoon in New York City, walking around with a friend. I was craving coffee, but it was one of those extra hot summer days. She introduced me to her secret weapon for enjoying a long walk outdoors in the heat. Coffee popsicles! They’re like a tasty, tall iced coffee, but on a stick.

Since then, I’ve tried a couple of recipes and came up with this one; it’s my current favorite that I hope you love too. This sweet treat is reminiscent of coffee ice cream, but in a popsicle form.

1. Popsicle Molds

I’ve tried different molds to make popsicles, and most of them work relatively well. They’re inexpensive and easy to use. Some even come in fun shapes like unicorns!

It’s easy to pop your popsicles out one at a time when you use the silicone molds, but the traditional molds are great too because they usually make more at a time. 

If you have a hard time removing the popsicles from the molds, just run some warm water over the mold.

If you don’t have store-bought molds, you can use disposable paper cups, small food storage containers, or even muffin pans. 

2. Popsicle Sticks

Some molds come with built-in sticks, but if you don’t have that type, you’ll have to freeze popsicle sticks with your coffee mixture. But don’t worry, popsicle sticks are also an inexpensive item.

You could also use plastic spoons, reusable straws, or sturdy wooden skewers. 

I like using aluminum foil or plastic wrap over the popsicles and punching the sticks through so they can stand up straight in the center of each popsicle. It makes them “stick” better.

Another way you can put your sticks in is only to put them in when your coffee mix is half-frozen already. That way, it will be solid enough for the sticks to stand up. 

Coffee

You can use any brewing method and any type of coffee for this recipe, even the flavored ones! Instant coffee could work; just ensure you make it pretty strong since the final mixture is quite milky. 

If you’re like me, you’ll love all the rich undertones of freshly brewed coffee. I like using my Moka pot for this recipe – it makes an excellent espresso.

But, you can also use regular brewed coffee from your coffee maker, cold brew coffee, or coffee from a French press. See my list of the best organic coffee brands.

You will need to use cold coffee for this recipe, so be sure to allow time for your hot coffee to cool down.

Did you know that coffee has excellent health benefits if you enjoy it in moderation? The antioxidants in the coffee may help lower the risk of depression and type 2 diabetes, and it could support brain health.

As most people who love coffee know, it is also an excellent natural energy boost and the perfect way to start the day. As long as you don’t go overboard and have too many coffee popsicles, you can enjoy them knowing they are reasonably good for you.

Coconut Milk

You can use any canned coconut milk in your coffee popsicles, light or full-fat. Coconut milk is an excellent alternative to dairy milk and has a creamy texture and delicious flavor.

I always use full-fat canned coconut milk; the popsicles turn out silky and smooth, and the taste is so much better than when using the lighter version.

If you aren’t on a dairy-free diet, you can feel free to use heavy cream or half-and-half instead of coconut milk. The addition of plant-based milk or regular dairy makes these into creamy iced coffee popsicles!

I would avoid using coffee creamer as those tend to have lots of unhealthy ingredients.

Sweetener

Maple syrup works really well for this recipe. It has a slightly smokey undertone that draws out the richness of the coffee. But you could use any healthy sweetener like honey, agave, monk fruit, or even Medjool dates.

If you like the flavor of dates, use three finely chopped dates and increase the blending time to two minutes. You won’t be able to whisk the mixture by hand if you use dates as your sweetener.

Feel free to omit the sweetener, especially if you are used to drinking your coffee without sugar. The coconut milk gives it a natural sweetness that may just be sweet enough for you. Remember, every sweetener will slightly change the flavor of your popsicles, so it’s usually best to go with what you enjoy most. 

See my list of the best natural sugar substitutes.

Cacao Nibs 

If you enjoy the flavor of cacao, nibs are an excellent optional extra ingredient. I love how bitterness contrasts with the sweetened coffee flavor in this recipe.

Cacao is packed with health benefits too. It contains flavonoids that can help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart and brain. It may even help increase insulin sensitivity which can help reduce your risk of diabetes. 

Additional or Alternate Flavorings

If you like experimenting with different flavors, you’ll be happy to know that you can adapt these coffee popsicles in many ways. Here are a few flavor ideas for your coffee popsicles:

• Mocha popsicles: Add one tablespoon of unsweetened cacao powder.
• Salted caramel popsicles: Use Medjool dates as your sweetener and stir ½ teaspoon of freshly ground salt into the mixture after blending it. 
• Spicy popsicles: Add ½ teaspoon of ground cardamom or chili powder.
• Boozy popsicles: Add 2 tablespoons of dairy-free, creamy liquor.
• Vanilla popsicles: Scrape ½ vanilla pod into your mix before blending it.
• Mexican popsicles: Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon almond extract.