Artisanal Ice Pop Shops in New York and Los Angeles

It was only a matter of time before people reinvent another childhood classic with gourmet ice pops. Ice pop molds have entered our houses a while ago but it tool longer to see artisanal shops that make handmade ice pops. Spring 2010 has brought his share of the gourmet ice pop shops, at least in New York City. An article of The New York Times listed four newly opened ice pop shops across New York City.

You get a variety of flavors from the classic fruit and herb ice pops up to an Italian pop version made with gelato, sorbetto or yogourt. People’s Pops like to experiment with flavors. Past flavors included Spiced Rhubarb ice pops, Blackberry & Lemon Verbena ice pops, or Rhubarb-Jasmine ice pops.

If you do not count your calories, you can add toppings and a chocolate coating to your Popbar. I could be tempted by the Pistachio dizzle which is a Pistacho popGelato covered in chopped pistachios and drizzled with premium dark chocolate. Otherwise, I would try the  lighter Strawberry Lemon popSorbetto. Popbar is the first American shop launched by an Italian artisanal gelato maker called Stick House. They adapted their concept to the American market.

I wanted to know if the concept has made it outside New York City. I browsed the Web to see what is happening elsewhere. I found that there is at least one artisanal pop shop in Los Angeles. According to their Facebook page, The Popshop was founded in 2008. They sell their products at several venues including the Studio City Farmers Market during summer. Flavors at The Popshop vary weekly. With choices like Blueberry Lemonade, Chili Chocolate, Cucumber Lime, Lavender Lemon, Lemon Basil, Lime Mint Mojito, Meyer Lemon Ginger, Pomegranate Orange, Spiced Cider, Strawberry Lemonade, and Watermelon Lime, we are far away from the mass-market Popsicles.

And before these newcomers, Paleteria Fernandez offered forty flavors of paletas de fruta (frozen fruit pops) and paletas de leche (milk pops) at their Port Chester shop. I spotted a review on The Wesfoodie’s that dated from 2006.

You will look to be in the know if you serve your own handmade ice pops at parties this summer. I particularly like the idea of making yours with gelato instead of frozen fruit juices.

MORE:
+ Popbar $3.99 to $4.99 USD – shop located at 5 Carmine Street (at 6th Avenue), NYC
+ People’s Pops $3.50 USD – shop located at Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue (at 15th Street), NYC
+ The Popshop – with selected retailers across LA – photography by Renee Anjanette as seen on LAist