Blackberry-Basil Popsicles

I finally got around to making another popsicle. This one is blackberry based with basil seasoning. Here we go!

As always, the recipe card above is a 4x6 JPG file. You can download it and print it on 4x6 photo paper to keep in your personal recipe box.

For equipment, you will need:

1. Kitchen scale that measures in grams {Target link}
2. Blender {Amazon affiliate link}
3. Fine mesh strainer/sieve {Amazon affiliate link}
4. Spatula or other device to push juice through strainer/sieve {Amazon affiliate link / no longer available}
5. Mixing bowl with pour spout {Target link}
6. A freezer {came with apartment}

For ingredients, you will need:

1. 560g frozen blackberries, thawed (fresh could also be used if you can get them for cheap)
2. 360g orange juice
3. 10g fresh basil leaves
4. 60g honey

1. Place the blender bottle on the scale.
2. Tare the scale.
3. Add the ingredients, taring after each ingredient.

(Photos to come.)

Run the blender until the juice is smooth. (Photos to come.)

1. Place your strainer over your bowl with pour spout.
2. Pour the juice into the strainer. Do not overfill.
3. Push the juice through the strain using a spatula.
4. Repeat until all the juice is strained.

(Photos to come.)

1. Pour the strained juice into the popsicle molds.
2. Cover the molds.
3. Insert the sticks.

If you have a different mold, follow those instructions instead.

You now have blackberry-basil popsicles! The picture on the left is from the original recipe; the picture on the right is mine. Mine looks a bit more solid.

These are probably the most expensive popsicles I've made. The blackberries cost $10, the basil was $3.50, and the orange juice was another $2.50. That makes these popsicles $1.60 each, not counting the sticks and the time. The whole point of making popsicles at home was to avoid buying the Nestlé-owned brands at the grocery store, which cost 83¢ each pop. The recipe had better create the best popsicles I have ever tasted!

Taste-wise, initial licks did not reveal any basil, but that was quickly alleviated. Don't worry; the basil taste calms down as you make your way through the popsicle, allowing the blackberry flavor to come through more.

This is probably the most solid popsicle I have made. I postulate that this is because pushing it through the sieve removes a lot of the air bubbles. I may adopt this technique for all my pops.

In conclusion, though, I have to admit that the taste does not make up for the high cost. Unless I encounter a big sale on the ingredients, I doubt I will make this again. Still, it was an adventure!