American Elderberry Popsicles

A summertime treat that can be as healthy as you make it!

A refreshing popsicle never tasted better than in the hot, dog days of summer! Today, we are able to find nutritious popsicles made from a wide variety of natural ingredients on the market. It can be a delicious way to get your daily nutrients. It's also a great way to preserve a fresh elderberry harvest for a long time in the freezer.

Today I am going to offer you two recipe variations of elderberry popsicles that can be made with what you might have on hand. Each is made with a River Hills Harvest elderberry product, that can easily be purchased in our SHOP. Elderberry is known to be immune boosting and could help improve brain and gut health. Our elderberry in popsicles is an excellent addition to an after-school snack for the kids, that you'll want too!

What makes a popsicle healthy?

The first recipe can be made with just our American Elderberry Jelly and water. Pretty simple huh? Our jelly is made with our Premium American Elderberry Juice, the most nutrient dense elderberry product on the market today. Keep in mind, in any jelly or syrup, there is quite a bit of added sugar or other sweeteners. However, packing your popsicles with other healthy ingredients is a great way to keep the elderberry benefits and add some others to 'water' down the sweeteners and 'boost' up the nutritional value.

Another recipe uses just our Premium American Elderberry Juice. Each popsicle would contain 1 tablespoon of juice, our recommended daily serving size. Whatever other healthy fruits, veggies and herbs you add into them can make what used to seem like a sugary treat into something that you get to enjoy fully with your body and mind. A popsicle you know will contribute to your family's nutritional needs.

Healthy Popsicle Additions

• Fresh fruits such as blueberries, which are high in antioxidants.

  • Bananas add potassium, vitamins C, A and B6. As well, bananas add a creamy consistency when blended together.

• Fresh veggies and greens, such as kale or spinach. You can get away with adding quite a bit of greens in a sweet popsicle and never even notice. But your body will thank you.

  • Cucumber is such a great taste in popsicles too.

• For creamier popsicles, as stated above, bananas are great. You could also use Greek Yogurt.

• Instead of using water, try using a coconut or cucumber water.

  • Instead of water, try blended watermelon.

I encourage you to keep trying different recipes for homemade popsicles. You'll surprise yourself with some of the end results. The possibilities are endless though. Do you have produce that's about to go bad? Make it into popsicles! Do you have too many fresh elderberries? Juice them and make them into popsicles. What I don't recommend doing though is going to Pinterest and searching 'homemade popsicles' because then you'll be just as into making them pretty as you are delicious... 😂 Really though, how do these people get their popsicles to look SO cute?

American Elderberry Popsicles w/ Jelly

What You'll Need:

• 1 Jar of River Hills Harvest Elderberry Jelly

• 2-3 Cups of Water

This is the simple recipe, mix the water and jelly together. Then add to your popsicle holders to freeze.

Here are some ideas of great flavors to add into this recipe:

• Coconut water (instead of water) + 1/4 cup each of pureed watermelon and banana.

• Chopped blueberries and strawberries + 1 TBSP freshly squeezed lemon juice.

• Greek yogurt + 1 cup orange juice (instead of water) + 1/4 cup chopped banana.

Need to pick up some Elderberry Jelly?

JELLY

American Elderberry Popsicles w/ Juice

What You'll Need:

• 1/2 cup RHH American Elderberry Juice

• 1 1/4 Cups Total, Chopped or Pureed Bananas + Blueberries + Strawberries

• 1 Cup Water or Coconut Water

Again, simply mix together ingredients and put into your molds.

Need to pick up some Elderberry Juice?

JUICE

Have freshly harvested American elderberries?

It's important to note here if you are using freshly harvested elderberries, using them uncooked in popsicles can only be done with the North American varieties of elderberry, Sambucus canadensis. Other types of elderberries need to have their juice cooked prior to putting into the popsicle ingredients.

If you've got yourself some amazing American elderberries, then get to juicing! Remember to destem them the best you can and wash them properly. Do not over squeeze your berries, just lightly. Don't include seeds, stems and berry skins in your final juice. You can do this the simplest way just using cheesecloth to both juice and strain.

Use the recommended half cup of juice in the above recipe with your own freshly squeezed elderberry juice.

Want to start growing elderberries? We have plants at different times throughout the year, learn more by clicking below.

PLANTS

I hope this post has prompted your imagination to start your own popsicle making. Elderberry is a great flavor in popsicles and it's easy to add a tablespoon of juice per popsicle to just about any recipe out there. Then you know you and your family are getting their daily dose of American elderberry.

Until next time, cheers to your health!

Heather

I am Heather Wilson, of the River Hills Harvest crew. By being part of the company, I am blessed to have access to American elderberries in all forms. I enjoy experimenting with new ways to incorporate them into my diet, as well as other natural plants, berries and more. I have a background in greenhouse management as well as floral design and am involved in the art community as an artist, when time allows. I enjoy playing guitar and writing songs. I also enjoy wandering in nature with no real purpose, because a purpose always presents itself. It’s a busy life, but one that I love and feel lucky to be a part of.