I was looking up recipes online to tamper with such as the classic Strawberry Shortcake and Strawberry Eton Mess, but with this amazing weather we're having, what's better than a cold treat?
I used to make ice lollies as a teenager by mixing my favourite yoghurts and fruit together, so thought I'd try a more adult version for this perfect beer-garden weather.
I found a recipe online from a fab blogger: The Frosted Vegan and these Boozy Strawberry Ice Lollies caught my eye straight away.
As with every recipe I post, I alter it in my own little way to add my own flavours and tastes into the equation. With this one, instead of vodka, I've used gin as it's a personal favourite, and will always end up being consumed when around friends. I also feel gin is more light and summery!
Lets get down to business - to make these scrummy & refreshing ice lollies;
You will need:
2 shots of Gin - I've used Greenalls, pretty average, but still good ol' gin
2 cups of chopped up strawberries - I won't judge if it's shop bought punnets
3 lemons, squeezed and zested
3/4 cup & 2 tsp. of granulated or caster sugar
3 cups of water
Handful of mint
Start by chopping your strawberries and coating in the 2 teaspoons of sugar. Easier to do this in a bowl to make sure they're evenly coated. Then lay them out on a baking sheet and pop in the oven for 15 minutes. I know, baking your strawberries, almost a crime - but TRUST ME on this one. They smell and taste phenomenal. Can't believe I haven't done it sooner.
Whilst this amazingness is happening in the oven, get to work on those lemons. Grab a grater and grate the zest of all 3 lemons, then squeeze to your hearts content. I've got a little juicer which makes this process so much easier.
Then add to a blender of some variety all of your ingredients; the 2 shots of gin, the zest and juice of the lemons, the water, the rest of the sugar, the mint chopped up as finely as possible, and finally... the beautiful mess created by the oven. Lost a few in my mouth in the process...
Whizz up so that all the main chunks are gone and sieve if necessary.
Get some lolly moulds (my vibrant ones are from Lakeland and cost a cheap £3.20) and fill up each mould. Pop the lid on and freeze for at least 4 hours. Overnight recommended for the best results.
Couldn't resist them and tried them in the evening when the sun had gone down... but still. Lush.
Have you tried any ice cream making recently? If so, let me know what flavour combos you have tried!
xo
