Hot drinks on a summer day are not our cup of tea. So, the next time you want tea from now until September, think about freezing it. Having a tea ice pop is a great way to cool off with your favorite blends. 

This recipe uses Celestial’s Lemon Zinger tea, but you can substitute with any flavor you’d like. Don’t worry about blenders or any fancy ice pop kits: These ice pops can be made with supplies you likely already have at home. Fulfill your tea cravings with this coconut and lemon tea ice pop recipe!

Ingredients 

• ½ cup water
• 2 Celestial’s Lemon Zinger tea bags
• ½ cup coconut milk 
• 4-6 tablespoons sugar 
• 1 tablespoon vanilla 

Supplies

• 2 small paper cups or plaster containers 
• 2 small Popsicle sticks, or 1 bamboo skewer cut in half 
• Small sheet of foil to cover cups/containers in freezer

Directions

1. Boil the water and pour ¼ cup into each container. Steep a tea bag inside each cup for 3-5 minutes. Remove tea bags when infused in water.
2. Pour ¼ cup coconut milk into each container. The fat in the coconut milk is important for maintaining a soft-textured ice pop.
3. Sweeten your ice pops! Start with 1-2 spoonfuls in each container, and add more depending on how sweet you prefer it. If you have a sweet tooth, more sugar will also improve the texture of your ice pops. 
4. Pour your ice pop mixture into a large cup, bowl or measuring container. Add the vanilla, and mix vigorously. You want all the sugar to dissolve in the liquid. Once dissolved, slowly pour your liquid back into the original containers.
5. Cover containers with foil. Next, place a stick in the center of the foil for each container. The foil may rip, but that’s OK; try to make sure the sticks stand up as much as possible. Finally, place the ice pops inside your freezer, in a place where they won’t fall over and spill. In 6-8 hours, your frozen treat will be ready to enjoy.

Tips for making alterations to your ice pops!

1. Switch out Lemon Zinger tea for another tea of your choice! Or, if you’re not a tea person, try a juice or other flavored beverage. 
2. Add creams, fruits and sugar to improve the overall texture of your ice pops! (Water freezes hard, so adding these will ensure you can bite into your ice pops.)
3. Experiment with fruits, toppings and other ingredients. Homemade ice pops are fun because they can be customized in any way you’d like!

Now next time you’re craving tea, but can’t stand the heat, try making these delicious ice pops!