Mint Caipirinha Ice Pops Recipes

CAIPIRINHA

Steps:

• Place the pieces of citrus and the sugar in the bottom of a pitcher. Using a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, crush and mash the fruits to release the oils and juice from the rind. When you have some nice juice in there and the sugar begins to dissolve, add the liquor and stir to combine. Fill lowball glasses with ice cubes and pour the cocktail over the ice. Do not remove the pieces of crushed fruit. Garnish with mint and lime. Use fresh sugarcane sticks as stirrers, if desired.

FROZEN BASIL-MINT CAIPIRINHA

Steps:

• Remove 2 wide strips zest from the lime with a vegetable peeler; set aside. Cut the lime in half; thinly slice one half and cut the remaining half into 4 wedges for garnish.
• Bring 1/3 cup water and the sugar to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat; add 1/2 cup each basil and mint and the lime slices and let cool completely.
• Transfer the herb syrup to a blender and blend until the herbs are finely chopped (the limes will still be mostly intact). Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Freeze until slushy, about 2 hours.
• Combine the cachaça, limeade concentrate, lime zest, the remaining 1/2 cup each basil and mint and the frozen herb syrup in a blender. Add 5 cups ice and blend until thick and slushy; gradually add up to 1 more cup ice if needed. Pour into glasses and garnish each with a lime wedge.

MINT CAIPIRINHA ICE POPS

Steps:

• Purée all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Skim off any foam, then pour into molds. Freeze 30 minutes. Insert sticks, then freeze until firm, about 24 hours.