Classic cocktails on a stick

Summer is full of opportunities to entertain friends and family, and serving icy-cold food and drink is always part of the equation. Delight the inner child -- and the outer adult -- in everyone by serving pop-tails: classic cocktails frozen in Popsicle molds. They are unique, delicious and -- most of all -- they’re fun!

If you are having a large party or don’t feel like buying the molds, you can freeze the pop-tails in small paper cups. Freeze until slushy, and then add a Popsicle stick. Then freeze until solid. Popsicle sticks are available at many baking supply and craft stores.

Rather than taking the time to mix up a pitcher of your favorite libations with which to make the pop-tails, use a pre-made cocktail like Bacardi’s Classic Cocktails. They come in a variety of flavors and the alcohol content is low enough the pop-tails freeze without too much trouble. For the best results, you will want to freeze them for at least 24 hours.

The instructions are basically the same, no matter which flavor you are making.

How to make pop-tails

You'll need:

• One or more bottles of ready-made cocktails in your favorite flavors
• Popsicle molds, enough to make Popsicles for all of your guests
• Fruit, mint and other additions

Instructions:

1. Simply pour the cocktails into the molds.
2. Add fruit or other garnishes.
3. Freeze for about an hour or until the Popsicle is slushy and will hold the stick upright. If the garnishes have floated to the top of the mold, you may need to push them down with a toothpick.
4. Add the stick and allow the Popsicles to finish freezing.
5. To remove the pop-tail from the mold, just run hot water over the outside of the mold for three seconds and gently pull the stick to remove each pop-tail.

Making layered pop-tails

You can create two or three layers of flavor by freezing your Popsicles a little at a time. When choosing flavors, you'll want to consider how well they will work together in the finished pop.

1. Pour your first flavor in the mold until it fills the mold about a third of the way.
2. Freeze until slushy. Add the stick.
3. Add the next flavor, filling the mold up until it is two-thirds of the way filled.
4. Freeze and then add the last flavor.

When the pops are unmolded, you will have three distinct layers of color and flavor.

Fruit and flavor combinations

Adding a little fruit not only adds a little extra flavor, it makes the pop-tails pretty. Almost any fruit can be used.

• Pina colada with pineapple or mango
• Rum Island Iced Tea with chopped orange
• Bahama Mama with diced peaches
• Strawberry daiquiri with a few slices of perfectly ripe strawberry

Do a trial run

Before you make the pop-tails for the first time, do a trial run with just one or two Popsicles. Different brands may have different amounts of alcohol. If there is too much alcohol in the mix your pops won’t freeze, but you can remedy the problem if you know about it.

If you find that you end up with slush after 24 hours, try making another batch but add some soda, club soda or juice to the prepared mix. This should cut down the ratio of alcohol to other ingredients enough to allow the pop-tails to freeze firmly.

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