Red White and Blue Sports Drink Rocket Popsicles are easy to make, perfect for patriotic summer celebrations and to keep everyone cool and hydrated in the summer heat.
Updated June 29, 2018
There is one thing the beats the summer heat for me and that is a good old-fashioned popsicle.
Whether it’s a boozy cocktail popsicle (adults only please), or something made with fruit juice (and maybe coconut water) OR a recipe that can swing either way like Blue Lagoon popsicles; I’m in.
Fourth of July is notoriously beastly in the heat department. Making a cooling red white and blue popsicle that’s hydrating as well as refreshing is a win.
These cute Red White and Blue Sports Drink Rocket Popsicles are all that. Made with sports drinks, they taste great and are loaded with electrolytes to keep everyone hydrated.
What are Sports Drinks?
Sports drinks are beverages designed to help athletes replace water, minerals, electrolytes and energy during and after exercise. Gatorade is one brand of sports drink.
I used sports drinks for these red white and blue rocket popsicles both to get nice colors but to replace electrolytes lost from sweating on a hot summer day.
Which Sports Drinks were Used in these Red White and Blue Sports Drink Rocket Popsicles?
Any juice or sports drinks that are red white and blue can be used for a fun 4th of July recipe but the specific flavors I used to make these red white and blue sports drink rocket popsicles are (all Gatorade Thirst Quencher varieties):
How to make a Layered Popsicle?
Making layered popsicles is easy it just takes time to allow each layer to freeze before adding the next layer. I did not want these to be all the same so varied the layer order and size for a fun design.
The desired amount of a specific color sports drink is poured into the mold (I used a funnel) then allowed to freeze. Usually it takes 20 minutes to freeze. An additional layer is poured in and allowed to freeze.
This is repeated until the rocket popsicle mold is full. It is then put in the freezer to fully freeze. It is best to do them when you have a number of hours to allow the layers to freeze. They also can be done over a few days.
NOTE: when making layered popsicles wooden sticks must be used (not the stick with drip guard that comes with the popsicles mold). Because sports drinks are poured in and frozen in steps a ‘free’ (not attached to a drip guard) stick is the only way to make them.
Create any striped pattern you like. There is no wrong way to make them!
How Big are Rocket Popsicles?
The molds I used create red white and blue sports drink rocket popsicles that are 7 inches tall and 2.25 inches wide. Each mold holds 2.5 ounces of sports drinks (or other liquids).
The molds come with a drip guard and stick however traditional wooden popsicles sticks may also be used.
Where to Buy a Rocket Popsicle Mold?
Rocket popsicle molds can be found seasonally at grocery stores or department stores where kitchen goods are sold. Also, online: rocket popsicle molds and wooden sticks (the molds come with plastic sticks and a drip guard which cannot be used when making layered popsicles).
Can you Buy Pre-Made Red White and Blue Rocket Popsicles?
You can! However, these patriotically-perfect red white and blue sports drink rocket popsicles can only be made at home.
Are you feeling the Red, White and Blue? Here are some more recipes you’ll love:
If you’ve tried this Red White and Blue Sports Drink Rocket Popsicle recipe please RATE THE RECIPE below!
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How to Make Red White and Blue Sports Drink Rocket Popsicles – Step by Step:
Red White & Blue Sports Drink Popsicles
Any sports drink brands may be used. Though these are made targeting a patriotic pop, any colors may be used.
Instead of using the bottom and attached sticks that come with most rocket shaped molds, traditional wooden sticks are used to allow the layering.
Ingredients
- 2 cups total Red , White and Blue Sports Drink or Juice (I used blue=Gatorade Fierce Blue Cherry, white=Gatorade Frost Glacier Cherry and red=Gatorade Fruit Punch which are all Gatorade Thirst Quencher varieties)*
- Rocket Popsicle Molds (I used Tovolo)
- Wooden Popsicle sticks
- Foil
Instructions
- Pour some of the sports drink you are using into each popsicle mold for the first layer; using a funnel for pouring into the molds works well.
Place in the freezer to allow it to fully freeze (usually around 20 minutes but verify before pouring the next layer).
Continue making layers and freezing the popsicles until the molds are slightly under halfway full.
Tear a piece of foil to fit fully over the top of each mold.
Tightly wrap a piece of foil over the top of that mold and using a paring knife, make a small slit to insert the popsicle stick (don’t make it larger than the stick or it will not hold the stick upright to freeze in the proper position).
Insert the popsicle stick. Do this with all of the remaining molds until they all have sticks inserted. Freeze until fully frozen.
Continue to add layers, freezing in between, until the molds are full and frozen.
To release the popsicles run the outside of the mold briefly under hot water until pulling on the stick releases the popsicle.
Recipe Notes
*Determine the volume of the rocket popsicle molds you are using for exact volume required.
TIPS:
- Allow aproximately 20 minutes for each layer to freeze.
- Pour any thickness of layers you desire.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Toni – yes, yes and yes. Both our children were on a swim team for years and years. Those swim meets were often in the very hot sun but we were blessed to be within walking distance of the community pool. They practiced at 7:00 a.m. but rode their bikes, walked with their friends or drove when old enough. They also competed in city and state swim meets which meant travel too. Not to bore you too much but there was a core group that loved summer swimming so much they started a high school team and practiced at a local YMCA. I cannot tell you how much we miss those events. I know you love it, but I’lll just confirm that time passes too quickly and one day you’ll wish you had a swim meet, baseball or softball game, or violin concert to go too! We’re holding out for great things from our grandson 🙂 These pops are a great way to stay hydrated while basking in the summer sun and they are so pretty too! Thanks for the walk down memory lane 🙂
Toni Dash says
Tricia you hit the nail on the head. I’ve been acutely aware since my daughter, the eldest of two turned 9 that we were on the downhill slide to childhood ending. Morbid perhaps but I’ve always been a person who appreciates every day, every minute in every day, knowing it’s a one way trip. I completely know that will be a day when Saturday mornings will feel odd without sweating under the canopy so soaking it in right now. These popsicles DO help! xo
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
What a fabulous idea! Rocket pops where a favourite of mine growing up, but I loved the pretty colours and shape, more than the flavours. I think I’d love these sports drink ones now 🙂
Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! says
So cool and thanks for giving the instructions on how to do the layers. I find using the Tovolo handles impossible to use with so many layers, so I see why you used the wooden popsicle sticks!
Jess C says
Very creative! There’s nothing more fun than getting into the spirit of 4th of July. So excited!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
I love this post, Toni! Neither of my girls was ‘sporty’, but we did do a stint at the baseball diamond one year…not my thing 🙂 But these pops are fabulous, they look so refreshing, and I think it’s a brilliant idea to make them with sports drinks!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
This is a wonderful idea. It’s a great way to give the kids a cold treat that isn’t so incredibly full of sugar.
Mommy Has To Work says
Such a cute & yummy idea! My children would love to make these!!!
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
The rockets came out great! I’d love to try this with fruit juices and food coloring instead of sports drink!
Toni Dash says
If I didn’t feel like I was losing electrolytes left and right I too would go that route Sabrina! You really could make them with anything you feel good about serving your family. They are simple and fun.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
My boys would LOVE these. They are perfect for our 4th of July cookout.
Catherine S says
This is such a great idea. These would be perfect for a hot afternoon outside.
Pam says
These look so yummy! I bet they’d go over great with the kids.
Marcie W. says
I definitely want to start creating more homemade popsicles, especially if they involve awesome molds like the ones you used. I really appreciate they are overloaded with sugar too!
Jeanine says
Yum! I love how these turned out. So yummy and refreshing I bet they taste just delicious!
Amanda says
These are so fun! What a fun summer treat!
TesS says
I love Popsicles. These were my favorite. They look cute shaped Linda rocket ship.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
That has to be the first time I have heard of someone making popsicles out of sports drinks. That’s an original idea that sounds really good!
Kate K (My Mommy Brain) says
What a fun Popsicle mold! Rocket pops are a fav around here!
Amy says
This is a great recipe and perfect for the summer. My kids love rocket pops so much too!
Tracey says
These are so cool. How fun to make your own Popsicle and so festive for 4th of July!
Jeana says
This is so great! Reminds me of my childhood and chasing down the ice cream truck. These were my favorite popsicle to buy!
Krystal says
I never have tried popsicles with a sports drink before! Very cool idea for a treat.
Toni Dash says
I really like them in the heat of summer for the electrolyte replacement as well as they are not overly sweet but hydrating. And of course the fun colors make them a great option too!
Valerie says
These remind me of the pops I had as a kid. I like that they are made with sports drinks! They are great for summer.
robin rue says
We use Gatorade to make freeze pops all summer long. My kids can’t get enough!!
Toni Dash says
It’s such a smart solution for a treat isn’t it?
Mama to 6 Blessings says
Those are so cute! My kids would enjoy these! A perfect tasty treat for July 4th! Keeps you cool too!
Amy says
These are so cute! What a good idea to make them out of sports drinks for extra hydration!!
Becca Wilson says
Popsicles are a staple in out house during the warmer months. These would be perfect for the holiday too!
Alicia says
This is so awesome! I was that there were some special trick to feeezing them this way so I never tried! I’m supposed to find out they freeze so quickly. In less than a couple of hours I could make a huge batch! Thanks for sharing.
Jamie says
What a great idea! I have never thought to use sports drinks for our popsicles…but I know my kids would love it and as a mom I like knowing they are getting that extra goodness when they are out in the heat!
Bianca Dottin says
These are cute! My daughter would love to make these. I love how colorful they are.
Kathy says
These look so good. I love the red, white and blue popsicles. I bet they taste great too. I know my girls would love them.
Sherry says
These remind me of the popsicles I used to get when I was young. I like that these aren’t loaded with sugar and are a yummy way to replace electrolytes.
Sinisa says
Very cool and creative. Fun fun for the kids
katrina gehman says
love this idea. i wouldn’t have thought of it. i’ll have to try it soon. i drink a lot of gatorade due to a medical issue, def need this.
Rachel says
My friend just said that bomb pops are her favorite. She has to see this recipe.
Krystel | Travel on a Budget says
Wow those look really good. And being homemade they are probably a lot healthier and have endless potential!