This started out as such an enthusiastic post. As you can read below, I had a great time making the pops, and was totally psyched to see how they came out. Little did I know of the epic fail coming my way... But before I tell you about that, please enjoy the naive beginnings to this post:
After reading this post on The Kitchn, I was totally intrigued by the idea of beer in popsicle form. I mean, everyone likes popsicles, and everyone likes beer (right?) so how can you go wrong joining the two. And with my birthday party just a day away, it seemed like the perfect way to blend getting older with a little childhood whimsy.
As for the versions on The Kitchn, I was a bit wary of the jagged edges of the can, and felt daunted by the massive size of the in-cup versions. So I created my own ice cube sized version.
I used the same recipe, 1 Tecate, 1 lime, 1 teaspoon of agave syrup, but after mixing thoroughly, I poured the liquid into ice cube trays. 4 beers filled 5 trays.
As for the versions on The Kitchn, I was a bit wary of the jagged edges of the can, and felt daunted by the massive size of the in-cup versions. So I created my own ice cube sized version.
I used the same recipe, 1 Tecate, 1 lime, 1 teaspoon of agave syrup, but after mixing thoroughly, I poured the liquid into ice cube trays. 4 beers filled 5 trays.
The biggest challenge of the ice cube beer pops was getting them onto the pop. I first tried a single layer of tin foil over the trays, but the popsicle sticks I used just tipped right over. I found that a double layer of foil supported the sticks much better. Eventually I ran out of popsicle sticks and starting using lollipop sticks I had left over from my last cake ball adventure. They worked so much better! I think because the paper sticks are lighter, it was much easier to get them to stand upright.
And that, my friends, is where my post ended. I froze those babies overnight, then trotted them off to share with my fellow revelers. I took this photo just before leaving the house. I was so proud of my creation. And so unaware of the disaster yet to come.
Cut to: my joint birthday party with my friend RW. I brought over about 40 beer pops, and we began to dig in. At first taste, the pops were kind of sour, which I first blew off as being a result of my freshly brushed teeth. So I powered through another. Not much better, but I was drinking a beer at the same time, so I again figured the taste (these HAD to be good!) was just being eclipsed by the beer. Finally on beer pop #3, RW and I were standing together in the kitchen contemplating the taste of our treats.
Me: "This tastes...strange."
RW: "Yeah. It tastes like...something...but I kind of don't want to tell you what it is. It might ruin it for you."
Me: "Um, I am pretty sure I know what you are thinking. They taste like..."
Both: "Puke."
Yes, I had made Pukesicles. Vompops. Popsicles that taste like vomit. I know-- so so so gross, right?
I believe the tragic mistake came in the imbalance of lime to agave syrup. There was enough lime to make the beer sour, but not enough agave to sweeten it up. The result: bile flavored beer.
When I shared this failure with my bestie J, she responded : "So you made popsicles that tasted like Winter Carnival at Middlebury?" Yes J, I did. I made popsicles that taste like revelry gone wrong, collegiate shame and poor choices.
Ah, what can I say? Not every culinary adventure is a win. But I am not deterred! I think this could actually work with hard cider...
But I am not going to lie, this was pretty traumatic. It might be a while before I attempt another alcohol-on-a-stick.
