There are many ways to take CBD that are more tasty and fun than simply taking a capsule, gummy, or tincture. When you take a serving of cannabidiol (CBD), some studies have suggested the wellness benefits can last up to six hours.

Infusing a variety of different foods with CBD is easy. But when the summer heat hits, you may want to try to make your own popsicles with some additional wellness benefits by infusing them with high-quality, broad-spectrum CBD.

If you have never made popsicles before, it’s not only fast and easy but more economical than purchasing them at the grocery store. Here is our guide to making CBD popsicles at home and four delicious recipes you may want to try this summer.

What is the Best Type of CBD to Use for Popsicles?

There are two methods used to create cannabidiol (CBD) infused foods and snacks. The first method is to use hemp flower, which you can purchase at your local smoke shop. Pay close attention to the brand of hemp that you purchase and how it is processed. And also, check that the hemp you are buying does not have more than 0.30% THC, which is the federal maximum potency for legalized CBD.

If you purchase hemp flower, you must decarboxylate it before using it in your popsicle recipe. Raw hemp flower does not activate the potential benefits of cannabinoids without heat. This can be done in your oven on a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Crumble or cut your flower and spread it evenly on the parchment paper to get started.

The hemp flower requires a light toasting for twenty minutes (then check and move your hemp) and another twenty minutes, for a total of 40 minutes at 200°F. After it is done, you have successfully decarboxylated or activated the cannabidiol in the flower. You can then add it to your blender or food processor with your fruit ingredients.

But that also sounds like a lot of work (and many steps). If you want the easiest method of making CBD-infused popsicles, choose your favorite full-spectrum CBD tincture. Calculate the maximum daily dose provided on the bottle by the number of popsicles you are creating. Each popsicle should contain no more than one serving.

Using a CBD tincture to create infused foods or snacks is a better way to make sure you are not exceeding the maximum daily dose suggestion. While you cannot become impaired by CBD, taking too much can result in symptoms of dizziness and nausea. So follow the daily serving suggestions provided carefully.

What Will You Need to Make Your Own CBD Popsicles?

If you have never made your own CBD popsicles at home, the good news is that it takes very few things to do it right. First, you should have a blender or food processor to combine your ingredients. Second, you will need to buy popsicle molds. The best ones are flexible food-grade silicone, which makes it easier to remove the popsicle. Silicon popsicle molds are also dishwasher safe.

Popsicle sticks are also needed, and they are easy to find and low cost. Some people prefer to purchase reusable popsicle sticks that can be cleaned in the dishwasher, and that helps reduce waste. Lastly, you’ll need to purchase fruit (fresh or frozen) and have your favorite full-spectrum CBD tincture at home to infuse your frozen treats.

Delicious CBD Popsicle Recipes

Popsicles are easy to make, and there are so many different types of recipes to choose from. If you prefer a creamy popsicle, add full-whipping cream to the mix for a satisfying cold treat. Whipping cream also adds healthy fats to your CBD popsicles, and some clinical studies suggest that combining fats with cannabidiol can amplify the possible benefits of CBD.

Don’t be afraid to go “off-road” with your popsicle ingredients. You can literally add any kind of fruit, but stick to the quantity of fresh or frozen fruit recommended by the recipe. Some of my favorite CBD popsicle recipes also include zero-sugar pudding mix, which makes them taste even more decadent!

Each recipe can create six average-sized popsicle portions. Most recipes take between 2-3 hours to freeze completely before serving. Here are nine great recipe ideas to get you started:

1. Coconut, Passion Fruit Mango Popsicles

Summertime means tropical everything! What is more satisfying than the combined flavors of coconut, mango, and passion fruit? Try this amazing combination.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of mango pulp (see preparation instructions)
• 1 large ripe mango
• 2 passion fruits
• Zest and juice of 1.5 lime
• DocCBD Calm tincture

Pulse fresh or frozen mango in your food processor until it makes a thick paste. Scoop out the passion fruit (do not use the peel as it is bitter) and add all ingredients into the food processor until it is well blended. Then mix in the desired quantity of DocCBD Calm Tincture (see the guide on the label for quantity).

2. Green Drink (Smoothie) Popsicles

The “green drink” is a mixture of vegetables that have powerful antioxidants. But if you are like me, consuming one of those drinks is a little difficult. It may be healthy for you, but it doesn’t taste great.

This recipe for “Green Smoothie Popsicles” is from Amanda’s Cookin’, and the addition of banana and kiwi (as well as honey) makes it tasty with all the goodness of the classic green drink recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk.
• 1 cup fresh spinach.
• ¼ cup parsley.
• 1 banana.
• 2 kiwis.
• 2 Tbsp honey.
• 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger.
• DocCBD Calm tincture.

If you are on a low-sugar diet, you can omit the honey and replace it with a zero-carbohydrate sweet syrup or dry sweetener. Simply blend all ingredients together, and pour into your popsicle mold.

3. Iced Coffee Popsicles

If you are the kind of person that has an iced coffee (or three) per day, you will love the flavors of this recipe! It is a great way to recycle your leftover coffee too. Simply save your coffee in an airtight jug or container in your refrigerator, and you’ll be ready to go anytime you want to make a batch of these treats.

The base recipe for these iced coffee popsicles comes from “The View from Great Island,” which is a popular food blog written by Sue Moran.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cold strong coffee.
• 3/4 cup heavy cream, plus extra for the bottom of the molds.
• Sugar or sweetener to taste.
• DocCBD Calm tincture.

This layered popsicle is a two-step process. You will pour extra cream into the popsicle molds first and freeze them. Then, combine the 3/4 cup of heavy cream and sugar with the coffee, and pour on top of the frozen cream layer. You can also use flavored creams such as French Vanilla or add a couple of drops of vanilla extract.

Make sure you warm your coffee first and stir in the sweetener or sugar. That allows it to dissolve completely must better for a more consistent sweet flavor after being completely frozen. If you want some natural sweetness, you can also vary your popsicle mixture with honey or maple syrup. Add it to the blender and allow it to become a smooth mixture before pouring.

4. Peach Jalapeño Popsicles

Sweet and spicy is always nice, particularly on a hot day. It is the perfect balance for a savory and refreshing grown-up-style popsicle. It also makes a great palette cleanser after a heavy meal, and with cannabidiol content, it can help reduce inflammation in the body.

To make these savory popsicles, you will need:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water.
• 1/2 cup monk fruit or another sugar substitute.
• 2 small jalapeños (seeded and sliced).
• 2 fresh limes for juice (zest optional).
• Sea salt to taste.
• 5 ripened peaches (quartered).
• 1 firm peach sliced (garnish).
• DocCBD Tincture.

Check out the other suggestions on the Jillian Harris blog.

Can You Substitute Frozen for Fresh Fruit When Making Popsicles?

There are a few differences between fresh fruit and frozen fruit when it comes to making CBD popsicles. Fresh fruit will have more vitamin and nutrient content, as freezing degrades some of the nutritional value. Also, fresh fruit can be blended with peels included, which can add extra nutrients and fiber to your diet.

Frozen fruit can be more expensive but easier to store in the freezer. If you choose to use frozen fruit, make sure you set aside the portions on the counter to thaw for about thirty (30) minutes before you are ready to blend your ingredients.

Store Out of Reach of Children

One of the most important things to do after you have put your cannabidiol-infused popsicle molds in the freezer is to choose the right way to store them. If you live alone, you probably have a few concerns about someone reaching in and eating your “grown-up” popsicles.

If you have children in your household, you need to take some extra steps to make sure that your popsicles are labeled. That way, if children or other adults are reaching into the freezer for a cool treat, they won’t unknowingly take your CBD popsicles.