Beat the heat with these incredibly refreshing Kiwi Cucumber Cooler Popsicles that deliver a burst of cool, clean flavors in every bite. This unique combination brings together the sweet-tart taste of ripe kiwi with the crisp, hydrating qualities of fresh cucumber, creating a popsicle that’s both energizing and incredibly cooling. The natural tartness of kiwi provides a bright, fruity punch while the cucumber adds a spa-like freshness that makes these popsicles feel like a healthy retreat in frozen form. Perfect for scorching summer days, post-workout refreshment, or anytime you need something light and revitalizing, these popsicles are packed with vitamins and natural goodness. The beautiful pale green color and refreshing taste make them as visually appealing as they are deliciously cooling.
Serving Quantity: Makes 8-10 popsicles
What You Need
- 4-5 ripe kiwis, peeled and chopped
- 1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- Thin cucumber slices for garnish (optional)
- Popsicle molds and wooden sticks
Selecting Perfect Kiwis
Choose kiwis that give slightly when pressed but aren’t mushy or overly soft. They should have a sweet, fruity aroma and feel heavy for their size. Ripe kiwis will have the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness that makes these popsicles so refreshing.
Peel the kiwis using a small knife or vegetable peeler, removing all the fuzzy brown skin. Cut them into chunks, removing the tough white core if it seems particularly hard, though most of it can be left in for extra fiber.
Preparing Fresh Cucumber
Select a cucumber that’s firm and crisp with bright green skin. English cucumbers work particularly well because they have fewer seeds and thinner skin. Peel the cucumber completely to avoid any bitter taste from the skin.
Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scrape out the seeds if they’re large and watery. Chop the cucumber into chunks similar in size to your kiwi pieces for even blending.
Creating the Flavor Base
Roll your limes on the counter while pressing down gently to make juicing easier. Cut them in half and juice them, straining out any seeds. Fresh lime juice is essential for brightening all the other flavors and adding that perfect citrus zing.
If you’re using mint leaves, gently bruise them with the back of a spoon or by rubbing them between your fingers. This releases their essential oils and creates a more intense mint flavor throughout the popsicles.
Blending to Smooth Perfection
In a blender, combine the chopped kiwis, cucumber pieces, fresh lime juice, sugar, honey, and water. If you’re using mint leaves, add them now. Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and no chunks remain.
The natural water content in both kiwi and cucumber means this mixture will blend easily into a smooth, light green puree. The color should be pale green with tiny black specks from the kiwi seeds.
Straining for Ultimate Smoothness
For the smoothest possible popsicles, strain the blended mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the kiwi seeds and any remaining pulp. Use the back of a spoon to press the mixture through the sieve, extracting as much liquid as possible.
If you enjoy some texture in your popsicles, you can skip this step and leave the seeds in. The tiny black kiwi seeds add visual interest and a slight crunch when frozen.
Final Seasoning and Adjustments
Add a pinch of salt to the mixture and stir well. Salt enhances all the other flavors and helps balance the natural tartness of the kiwi. Taste the mixture at this point and adjust sweetness if needed.
The mixture should taste bright, refreshing, and slightly sweeter than you want the final popsicle to be, since freezing will dull the flavors somewhat. The cucumber should add freshness without overpowering the kiwi flavor.
Chilling Before Freezing
Refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes before pouring into molds. This chilling step helps the popsicles freeze more evenly and prevents ice crystals from forming too quickly on the surface.
Stir the mixture once more before pouring to ensure all ingredients are well combined and the honey hasn’t settled to the bottom.
Filling Your Molds
Pour the kiwi cucumber mixture into your popsicle molds, filling each one to about 1/4 inch from the top. If you want to add thin cucumber slices for visual appeal, insert one slice into each mold now, pressing it gently against the side.
The mixture should pour easily and have a lovely pale green color that looks as refreshing as it tastes. Give the molds a gentle tap to remove any air bubbles.
The Initial Freeze
Place the molds in the freezer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the mixture becomes slushy but not completely frozen. The high water content in both fruits means these popsicles will start to freeze relatively quickly.
Insert your wooden sticks at this point, making sure they stand straight and reach almost to the bottom of each mold. The slushy mixture will hold them firmly in place.
Complete Freezing Process
Return the molds to the freezer for at least 3-4 hours, or overnight for best results. These light, refreshing popsicles freeze faster than cream-based varieties due to their high water content and natural fruit sugars.
Make sure your freezer is set to its coldest setting for the most even freezing and best texture throughout.
Unmolding Your Cool Treats
To remove the popsicles from their molds, run warm water over the outside of the molds for 10-15 seconds. These light popsicles usually release easily with just a brief warming.
Gently pull each popsicle out by its stick. The finished popsicles should have a beautiful pale green color with tiny black specks from the kiwi seeds if you didn’t strain them out.
Storage and Freshness
Wrap each popsicle individually in parchment paper or plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and maintain their fresh, clean flavor. The high water content means they can develop ice crystals if not properly stored.
These refreshing popsicles will keep in the freezer for up to 6 weeks, though they’re at their peak freshness and flavor within the first 2-3 weeks.
Serving Suggestions
These cooling popsicles are perfect for hot summer afternoons, poolside snacking, or as a palate cleanser between courses at dinner parties. Their light, refreshing nature makes them ideal for serving after spicy or heavy meals.
Serve them on a platter garnished with fresh mint sprigs, lime wedges, and thin cucumber slices for a spa-like presentation that matches their refreshing taste.
Health Benefits and Tips
Both kiwi and cucumber are incredibly hydrating and packed with vitamins. Kiwis are loaded with vitamin C and fiber, while cucumbers provide natural electrolytes and have anti-inflammatory properties, making these popsicles as nutritious as they are delicious.
For an extra cooling effect, try adding a few drops of peppermint extract to the mixture, but use it sparingly as it can quickly overpower the delicate fruit flavors.
Variations to Try
For a more complex flavor profile, try adding a small piece of fresh ginger to the blender for a subtle spicy kick that complements both the kiwi and cucumber beautifully.
You can also experiment with other cooling ingredients like fresh watermelon, honeydew melon, or even a handful of fresh basil leaves instead of mint for an herbal twist that’s equally refreshing.
For a slightly sweeter version that kids might prefer, add a few chunks of ripe pear or green apple to the mixture before blending. The additional fruit sweetness helps balance the tartness of the kiwi while maintaining the refreshing cucumber base.
