Summer may be gone, but the weather is just warming up here in the Bay Area, and your kids will be running home from school begging for a cool, juicy snack. Instead of digging out the usual cherry popsicle from the back of the fridge, why not jazz things up with some super creative popsicle inventions that will not only excite the young ones, but satisfy your cravings as well. Thanks to our friends at 7×7, your excursion to find the best popsicle in town is sure to be a memorable one!
From a Truck
Twirl and Dip
You may know this colorful truck for its soft serve, but they also have seasonal fruitsicles in flavors like watermelon white pepper and cantaloupe gewurztraminer. Find them in Golden Gate Park from Wednesday through Sun (1 pm – 6:30 pm). Check their website for location specs and updates.
On a Tricycle
LickPops
The Family that owns LickPops also has an apple farm in Sebastopol, so you’re likely to find flavors like Pink Pearl apple on their menu. Also: veggie pops such as Sweet Corn and legume pops like Adzuki Bean. Follow Twitter to see where their tricycle is rolling —it’s often in the Mission—and know that LickPops caters private parties too.
In Markets
Bar Gelato
In May of this year, local scoop shop Gelateria Naia got into the game with Bar Gelato, a line of popsicles that uses the very same gelato they scoop at their 18 Northern California scoop shops. Many of their flavors are compilation projects with other local businesses. There’s TCHO Chocolate, St. George Spirits Single Malt, Numi Jasmine, and Blue Bottle Coffee. Find them at the Academy of Sciences, the TCHO Chocolate Beta Store, and the Whole Foods locations listed out here.
Ciao Bella
Another local gelateria-cum-popsicle maker, Ciao Bella sells its Blueberry Passion and Blood Orange Sorbet Bars at Whole Foods nationwide. For what it’s worth, the blueberry flavor, in particular, has been recognized by both Self and this month’s Health magazines as a good-tasting low calorie treat.
At a Stand
SF Pops
Marin’s Rebecca Rouas founded SF Pops in May of this year with a focus on locally sourced, seasonal ice pops. Although her tangerine beet flavor is a personal favorite, creations like chocolate avocado and lavender lemonade are crowd-pleasers, too. Rouas goes into hibernation for the fall and winter, but will be back in action at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in May of next year. In the meantime, you can commission her for custom orders. Find information on her Facebook page.
Developing
Queen of Pops
Former Top Chef contestant Josie Malave has recently arrived on the local scene with plans to release a rock and roll themed seasonal popsicle line. Her totally natural, and slightly irreverent flavors like Stoned Habanero and Dirty Chocolate Pig should start showing up at music festivals and record release parties around spring of next year. She’s also working out the logistics of “Design-a-Pop,” allowing customers to create thier own popsicles at whim.
This is our weekly guest post from our friends at 7×7, a site that keeps you up on the best of SF. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a fantastic Date Night idea each week. Be sure to check out their blog for hourly doses of the best of SF.
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