Pop Up Shops
By Amanda Schwartz
It’s almost summer time! What better way to cool down on a hot, New York summer day than with an ice pop? When you hear “ice pop” you might sense a wave of nostalgia carrying you back to your seven-year-old self. Luckily, history repeats itself, and dessert forecasters are predicting ice pops will make a comeback this summer! It’s the new fro-yo!
Each ice pops store boasts products with some unique qualities: some shops specialize in organic flavors, while others allow customers to create their own unique taste combinations. There are fruit flavors, such as Strawberry Lemonade and Banana Foster, as well as more creative flavors like Chocolate Peppermint and Hazelnut. Some shops even use yogurt and gelato in their ice pops!
Now that you know about the new “it” snack of the season, let’s look at some of the places selling ice pops that you should check out!
Popbar
Location: 5 Carmine St (@ 6th Ave)
March Hours: Mon-Thurs 12PM – 10PM, Fri-Sat 12PM-12AM
Popbar prides itself on the creativity and high quality of their ingredients, which are made fresh into popbars daily. Even better, all of the popbars are Kosher, gluten free, lactose free, and free of any preservatives and artificial colors. This makes these treats accessible to almost everyone. The lack of preservatives and artificial flavors allow you to taste the distinct flavors in the pop instead of getting that gross freezer burn taste in your mouth that some other pops create. Plus with their great nutritional value, you don’t have to feel guilty about wanting to keep going back for more! In addition to its store, Popbar offers catered pops and liquid products, such as the very cool “hot chocolate on a stick” – a premium blend of the finest chocolate (dark, milk, or vanilla white) that you can stir into your steaming milk. The pop choices are great, but the best part is that you can create your own “myPop!” You just choose a basic popbar, add poppings (toppings range from granola and sprinkles to almonds and pistachios), and finish with a signature chocolate dip and enjoy! This place has something for everyone and is continently located within walking distance from the 1 train.
Nike Basketball Boulevard Ice
Location: 2490 Frederick Douglass Blvd. New York, NY 10030
Store Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11AM-7PM
Unlike regular ice pop stores, this one does not only have ices. The Lemon Ice King sells snow cones and ices in traditional flavors, such as cherry, chocolate, bubble gum, and watermelon. After purchasing your (inexpensive) ice treat, you can browse through the Nike Basketball gear and buy yourself something nice to wear. The store layout is that of a freezer with a nice, refreshing, blast of cool air. As an added bonus it is located right in Harlem and thus, is easy to get to from Barnard/Columbia.
Lily Lolly’s Ice Kitchen
Location: The High Line
Store Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11AM-7PM
Located at the bottom of the High Line park, this popsicle stand is the perfect bite to grab during a stroll along the Hudson. Their ice lollies are a “stylish, modern, gourmet experience” and are made with ingredients from local farms, spices, herbs, tea, and even flowers! For a more conventional popsicle, plenty of their lollies feature chocolate, nuts, and fruits.
As the newest craze, ice pops are the topic of many books coming out this season, so be on the lookout for great recipe ideas and tips! They are a great way to spice up a party, with or without the addition of alcohol. Some ice pop books are themed, the most interesting of which is “Authentic Recipes for Mexican Ice Pops” by Fany Gerson which includes the interesting flavors like avocado and Mexican chocolate!
Now that your mouth is watering, feel free to make your own ice pops to hold you over until you venture out the explore the pop shops that New York City has to offer!
