The Coolest Popsicles in New York
The sweltering summer heat has everyone craving some sort of frozen treats. (I don’t know about you, but it’s pretty much all we’re thinking about.) Remember how excited you used to get about The Good Humor Man’s Strawberry Shortcake Pops and Chocolate-Dipped Vanilla Ice Cream Pops? Well, that’s child’s play compared to the new wave of frozen sweets, made with everything from fresh herbs to seasonal fruits and artisanal ice creams. Lest we forget our favorite, alcohol-spiked popsicles – a cocktail & dessert in one!
There’s just-picked People’s Pops in wonderfully creative flavors, like Nectarine-Mint and Watermelon-Ginger, Vietnamese Coffee Pops at Nightingale 9 and even Vodka-Infused Strawberry Rhubarb pops at the Mondrian Soho’s rooftop bar, Soaked. Even buzzy restaurants, like ABC Cocina, are taking a cue from ice cream trucks with their own renditions, including Chocolate-Coconut. With only 100 days of summer, we suggest you start taking advantage of the wealth of delicious options.
Nightingale 9
The walls may be a bit bare and the lighting a tad uninviting, but it’s definitely worth sticking around for dessert at this new, Vietnamese spot in Brooklyn from the owners of the very popular Seersucker and Smith Canteen. That’s because Popsicles are the Dessert Du Jour on the menu. In fact, they’re the only dessert option at Nightingale 9, but it’s all you need to cap off your evening. Besides, who wants a hot cup of Vietnamese coffee on a hot summer night when they can have a frozen Vietnamese Coffee Pop. There’s Palm Sugar Caramel and Thai basil flavors, too. Each pop is served with a metal dish filled with a dipping topping such as toasted coconut or peanut brittle.
La Newyorkina
Come summer, The Meatpacking’s High Line becomes one of the most attractive destinations in New York and not just for its view of the Hudson River. There’s plenty of great eating to be had (BBQ, beer & more), including one of the best ways to cool down, La Newyorkina’s Latin Paletas. Owner Fanny Gerson was inspired by the frozen treats she grew up on in Mexico City and decided to recreate them for us now fortunate New Yorkers. Made with Latin ingredients and spices, you can expect unique flavor combinations, like Cucumber-Lime, Papaya-Passion, and Spicy Mango-Chile. Sick of the same old same old? La Newyorkina is your guy.
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Ever had gelato on a stick? This was a first for us, but we haven’t looked back since. This gelato-inspired shop in the West Village handcrafts all of their gelato and sorbetto flavors in the traditional Italian way. But the best part is customizing your own pops. First, you have your choice of either Sorbetto, like Kiwi, Apricot or Mandarin, or Gelato, like Coffee, Chocolate, or Hazelnut. There’s even a Yogurt option, too. And as if picking the base isn’t hard enough, there are over ten kinds of “Poppings,” including Crushed Coconut, Granola, and Chocolate Sprinkles. Lest we forget the dip: Oh yes, your bar can be dipped in Dark, Milk, or White Chocolate before they’re covered in “Poppings.” Custom-made to your liking, these is always a new hand-made combination to try. And with the new option to purchase a Popbar to go ice bag, you can now take your favorite treats home for your friends..or yourself!
Chloe's Soft Serve Fruit Co.
Fruit, sugar cane and water. That’s it. How do they taste? We’re kind of addicted to be honest. How is that possible with something that’s dairy-free and gluten-free? We asked ourselves the same question, but we’re guessing it’s the fresh fruit. If you’re looking for something really healthy (and yes, still delicious), head to Union Square for Chloe’s Soft Serve. We usually focus our immediate attention on the soft-serve and grab the pops to-go for our freezer, but that’s your call. They come in refreshing flavors, like Tangerine, Strawberry, Banana, Mango, and Raspberry. At just sixty calories each, you can escape the summer heat with zero guilt!
ABC Cocina
Remember the old days when you used to have to chase down the ice cream man and bring exact change? Lucky for us, pops are no longer a moving target just for kids. In fact, New Yorkers now eat them in the most civilized of places, including the new, Latin-inspired tapas spot, ABC Cocina. If you want to go the traditional dessert route you can, or you can end the evening with one of pastry chef Melody Lee’s seasonal popsicle — Chocolate Coconut, Mango, or Pineapple-Basil.
Soaked
Just in case you didn’t get the memo, there’s a chic rooftop bar on top of the Mondrian Soho where you can wile away many a summer night. Oh, and they don’t just serve cocktails and wine. The alcohol isn’t limited to just the cocktails at Soaked. How about a Strawberry Rhubarb Popsicle, laced with basil and Absolut Cherrykran vodka? We’re in!
People’s Pops
You might call them pioneers in the pop department. After all, they did launch the artisanal pop craze in New York years ago with their oh-so, local and sustainable fruit pops. They’ve even got a book out with 55 pop recipes to prove it! From Park Slope to the High Line and Chelsea Market, People’s Pops reach a large part of the overheated New York population and there’s new flavors and awesome combinations coming out everyday, such as Peach-Habanero, Cantaloupe-Jasmine and Raspberry-Rosewater. They’ll even deliver to your door, so you really have no excuse!
La Esquina
Some restaurants never seem to go out of style. That’s certainly the case for this perpetually popular, subterranean spot on Kenmare Street. And while it’s phone number and location is no longer a secret, not enough people know about its Mexican Paletas. Come summer, this is important info. You don’t need a reservation to sample a Pineapple-Jalapeno or Chili Mango Pop from the street level taqueria. First things first, get an order of their Lime, Chile & Queso Slathered Corn.
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