“Anything is Popsicle”: Poppin’ Summer Treats

When it comes to frozen desserts, I am a sucker for a scoop of mint chip on a waffle cone, but these days I’ve been thinking a lot about popsicles. Popsicles come in a variety of flavors, shapes, and colors, but what makes the popsicle stand out is its origin story. No one would have guessed that the mastermind behind this frozen concoction was an eleven year old boy from Oakland, who by a happy accident created a childhood summer favorite to all. The story goes, in 1905 Frank Epperson was outside his home, with a glass of water, powdered soda mix, and a wooden stir stick in hand. When it was dinner time Epperson was called inside and he forgot the glass outside overnight. It was an unseasonably cold that evening and the soda mix was frozen solid with the stir stick intact. The following morning, Frank found the glass and as a curious eleven year old attempted to pry the treat out for himself. When it popped out he realized that his forgetfulness led to a new frozen treat that everyone would soon love.¹ Frank named his invention the “Epsicle” and sold his new treat to everyone in the neighborhood, after the treat gain some buzz it made its way to Neptune Beach, which was once known as the “Coney Island of the West,” a waterfront themed park near Oakland.² The “Epsicle” was patented in 1924 and under the guidance of his children he changed the name from “Epsicle” to “Pop’s ‘sicles,” since that is what his children called it and they felt it had a more appealing sound than “Epsicle”. The first popsicles sold for about five cents and came in seven flavors when they debuted. A few years later, the double stick popsicle debuted, and during the Depression the double stick popsicles made it possible to feed two for the price of one.³ Epperson’s creation did not lead to a life of wealth in his lifetime, but he was able to bring future generations a delightful portable summer treat, which was his ultimate goal, and we are all thankful for it.

After reading up on Epperson and his accidental frozen treat, I began to work on some popsicle recipes of my own. I currently have a bunch of ideas and possible recipes that I want to try and share with you all. Over the past few weeks, I’ve made strawberry rose infused with gin, caramel popcorn, matcha green tea coconut, strawberry lemonade, and pineapple coconut. (My ode to my favorite Thrifty’s ice cream flavor) Though this post will feature one recipe, I will definitely be sharing a few more ideas for the month of August. I got carried away making popsicles that now it’s the middle of August. Enough chatter, let’s go make some strawberry rose water popsicles infused with gin.  I would like to note that the rose water and gin amounts are based on my preference and if you would like to add more or less I encourage you to add and taste as you go. Recipe to follow.