Lime popsicles/paletas

Background:
In the search for a lime-only popsicle, I came across this recipe. The ingredient list looked interesting, so I gave it a try, without doing the final step of adding graham crackers crumbs.

Result:
Appearance: Beautiful! Creamy white with specks of lime zest.
Texture: Soft and creamy.
Flavor: Super intense lime flavor, and quite sweet... maybe too sweet.

Conclusion:
While a friend of mine loved it and raved about it, I thought the sweetened condensed milk was pretty overwhelming and could be cut back a good amount. It is great for the texture though, so I'm keeping that in mind as a great ingredient to use when I need a boost of sweet and a softer pop.

Mint limeade popsicles, Trial #1

Background:
Did I mention how much I love limes? You may have guessed, considering most of my posts so far have included fresh lime juice. For the first time, we splurged on a bag of limes from Costco and actually finished it without any going bad. We often made limeade with lime juice, simple syrup, and seltzer (2:1:2 ratio). So this time, I decided to try a straight-up lime popsicle with some crushed mint.

Materials:
1c lime juice
1/2c simple syrup
fresh mint, crushed under a mortar and pestle


Methods:
- Combine and let ingredients steep for half an hour
- Then strain mint leaves and pour into popsicle molds


Result:
Appearance: Lovely soft lime color
Texture: Not solid ice! Actually turns slushy when biting into it; not sure why. Perhaps the acidity? But it's fantastic.
Flavor: Holy moly, it is sour.

Conclusion:
While the texture is out of this world, it is way too sour to enjoy in a reasonable amount of time. The next batch will be diluted with water and syrup by 50%.

Lime Watermelon Popsicles - Trial #2

This time, I went for simplicity:

Materials:
- Lots of watermelon
- The juice of 4-5 limes
- A good splash of simple syrup

Result:
Appearance: Not very even, splotches where red is absent
Texture: Appropriately icey
Flavor: Wonderful lime and watermelon flavor this time.

Conclusion:
To my surprise, the result was significantly better than Trial #1. I guess what happened was that the yogurt killed the watermelon flavor. This 'purer' recipe allowed all the flavors to shine. Of course the texture of this is like ice, but if that doesn't detract from your enjoyment, make this! This is a keeper.

Lime Watermelon Popsicles - Trial #1

Background:
I used a recipe based on what I saw in this video.

Methods:
- In a blender, fill 3/4 full with watermelon pieces
- Add juice of five limes
- Add a large spoonful of greek yogurt
- Add a dollop of honey
- Blend

Result:
Appearance: Nice even watermelon color
Texture: Appropriately icey
Flavor: Disappointed; could taste the lime but barely any watermelon.

Conclusion:
Although the hubby liked them, I wouldn't make these again due to the dearth of watermelon flavor.

[Side note:
I tasted as I went before deciding the juice of five limes was a good amount.]