Recipe: Watermelon Coconut And Rose Popsicles
Watermelon Coconut And Rose Popsicles are not only easy to make but a refreshing, cooling, flavourful treat during the hot season. Fresh watermelon, coconut, mint, a bit of ginger and some aromatic rose syrup is all that you need for this summer cooler. What I like about this recipe is that the amount of sugar required depends entirely on how sweet the watermelon is. If it is sweet you may need very little or none. Remember, rose syrup does have some sugar. For us the sweetness from that is enough. Don’t want to add sugar then go for honey or maple syrup.
Summer Time
It was in year 1 that I learned that there are different seasons. Growing up in Nairobi, for me it was always hot during the day, cold at night and the occasional showers in April and October. That was pretty much my understanding of weather back then. Words like Summer, Winter, Spring and Autumn were all new to me, seasons not experienced as yet. Postcards and pictures in books made them all seem like such refreshing and exotic seasons. When my aunt and cousins went off to UK in the 70s we would get to hear from them how windy the autumns were, umbrellas flying away and how their hands would get ice cold shovelling the snow. Mombasa’s hot weather was the hottest we would ever experience when we went there for our holidays in December.
Memories
My First Indian Summer
My first experience of a really scorching hot Indian Summer was when I was 12. That too in the really hot city of Ahmedabad and in May! It was unbearably hot for a girl who comes from a cool climate of Nairobi. My skin would burn and I’d get headaches. Back then, there were no reminders on television, radio or newspapers to stay hydrated. After a week or so I went to Mt. Abu and realized that summer everywhere in India is not as hot as Ahmedabad.
Summers in Canada are pretty short but the whole world is outdoors at that time. Days are much longer. At the peak of summer there is daylight almost till 9:30 am.
My First Autumn
Autumn in UK was experienced nearly 10 years ago. Chilly cold, windy, rainy and yes umbrellas would fly away. Just a few minutes outdoor and my nose would be all cold. However, I enjoyed the cold as I had had enough of the hot weather in Mombasa. Autumn in Canada which we witnessed in 2013 was an amazing experience, full of sun shine, colours and a bit of rain.
So while all my family and friends living abroad, praise summer and wait for summer eagerly, I cannot seem to understand why! Its only after having spent the chilly autumn in UK that I realized what people meant when they say ‘our bones need the heat’. Literally one gets the feeling that bones get cold in autumn and winter.
Fall is spectacular in Canada, the colours are simply breathtaking. That is another favourite season of mine.
My First Winter
That was in 2021 when we emigrated to Canada. It is my favourite season. I know its cold but winter in Canada can be so beautiful. Though it takes us 10 minutes to put on all those layers and boots, that doesn’t stop us from going out. In fact we don’t own a car so we have to walk to the bakery, the supermarkets, cafes, restaurants. When the snow is soft it is really pleasant to walk.
Spring
Spring is a season I experienced first time during my visit to London. Amazing to see fresh green grass, flowers blooming and showers. When it comes to Canada spring arrives a bit late. Sometimes there is still a bit of snow in April. Then come the showers and the plants take their own sweet time to sprout and bloom. But nature is truly amazing, in spite of being covered by snow suddenly everything comes to life.
Hot Season And My Kids
Summers is synonymous with flipflops, summer hats, caps, bikinis, sundresses, shorts, T shirts, ice creams, golas, chatpatta snacks, open air markets, picnics, sand, beach, cocktails, fragrant flowers, longer days, lazing under the shade of trees, sleeping on the lazy chair, feeling lethargic, cricket, football, sandwiches, funfairs,walks in the park or beaches, late evening outings, coconut water and so much more. Living in Mombasa it is summer throughout the year. Even when it rains, we really don’t need sweaters. It is still warm.
When my kids were young, I would make them simple popsicles..freezing fresh fruit juice, ribena or even rose milk as a treat.
Sharing This Recipe With FoodieMonday/ Bloghop Group
This week out 87th theme is FrozenCoolers. Nowadays, with kids having left the coop, it’s only hubby and me. Popsicles are a healthier way of satiating my hubby’s call for dessert ever single day. I try and use fresh fruit juices as much as possible.
Some More Frozen Treats You May Like
Ingredients Required For Watermelon Coconut And Rose Popsicles
Watermelon
Need fresh watermelon cut into chunks for preparing watermelon juice. Don’t add any water. We need about 2 cups of fresh watermelon juice.
Fresh Coconut
Grated or shredded. If you get tender coconut can use that otherwise normal fresh coconut is fine.
Mint Leaves
Wash and pluck some leaves off the stems. Need about 8-10 leaves for that subtle taste of mint.
Ginger
Fresh ginger, peeled and grated or minced. Can add a small piece along with the watermelon pieces. Optional ingredient.
Rose Syrup
Use good quality rose syrup. My preference is the rose syrup from Urban Platter or Rooh Afza. If you don’t like the taste of rose syrup then add simple sugar syrup, honey or maple syrup.
Sweetener
If the watermelon is sweet, the sugar from the rose syrup is enough. However, if you want it more sweeter then add sugar, honey or maple syrup.
WATERMELON COCONUT AND ROSE POPSICLES
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh watermelon juice about 2½ cups of watermelon cubes
- ½ cup fresh coconut shredded
- 8-10 mint leaves
- 2 tbsp rose syrup
- ½ tsp minced fresh ginger optional
Instructions
- Puree the watermelon without any water in a blender. Strain the juice to remove seeds.
- Put the juice back in the blender. Add shredded coconut, mint leaves, rose syrup and ginger.
- Process it for a few seconds.
- Pour the juice into popsicle molds.
- Freeze for 4-6 hours and serve.
Notes
- If you don't like the taste of rose syrup add honey, maple syrup or simple sugar syrup instead.
- If you don't have popsicle molds, use ice cream or small plastic cups. Pour the juice in the cups. Cover with foil. Make a slit in the foil, insert the stick in through it gently.
- Ginger helps to fight tiredness, bad summer microbes, loss of appetite and feeling of heaviness.
- I've made these popsicles adding desiccated coconut and they didn't turn out too exciting. The bite of fresh coconut is what makes these popsicles yummy.
- Spike your popsicles with some vodka, gin, tequila, triple sec, champagne, gin for an adult version.
Pin For Later
A Small Request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or comment on Pinterest @mayuri62