When the heat starts making its way across the entire country, it’s time to start thinking about those hot summer days. And how to survive them. One of America’s best past times to beat the heat? Enjoying an ice-cold popsicle. And when there is a Publix BOGO on the those delicious, fruity, Outshine popsicles, they’re hard to resist.

After stocking up on plenty of boxes to last a week (maybe), I got to thinking about some of the cool treats of childhood. Whether it was from the ice cream man driving through the neighborhood, or popsicles passed out during a school event. Those were good days. Let’s check-in on some of these fruity delights of the past!

Popsicle 

The popsicle by that very name. These simple yet enjoyable ice treats came in a variety of flavors. And if my memory serves correctly, one of the cheapest popsicles on the market of the time.

There was something very special about this particular popsicle that only if you ate them, you’d know. Each stick had one it a joke or riddle on one end, the bare end. And the punchline on the end underneath the ice. Definitely giving off Bazooka Joe vibes.

Flintstones Push-ups

Known to us kids as the sherbet in a toilet paper roll. That’s essentially what you were getting when you paid change for a Push-up sherbet pop. Don’t get me wrong, they were absolute heaven. The ones I remember were Orange Creamsicle (I think that’s all they had at the time). But buyer beware… They were extremely messy. And the untrained hand would most certainly lead to an explosion of sherbet all over the sidewalk.

A gentle push of the plastic stick below, and the sherbet would slowly rise above the brim and made for a nice sherbet “cone.” But if that thing somehow got stuck? Game on.

Rocket Pops

Also known as a “Bomb Pop” or “Firecracker” popsicle. The Rocket Pop was a true patriotic hit, especially around Independence Day. A top of the menu item on the ice cream truck. Cherry, white lemon, and blue raspberry. Personally, I have always found all of those flavors disgusting. But I know these were very popular amongst a lot of kids as I did witness a lot of friends and classmates enjoying them.

And I understand the patriotic nature behind them. Nowadays, I can’t see why we can’t DIY some Rocket Pops. All the best flavors in the same red, white, and blue. Can’t think of a better way to celebrate this summer of America 250.

Otter Pops

The Original Otter Pops. Simple freeze pops; just a tube of plastic wrap filled with frozen sugar water. But back in the day, they had character. Six characters in fact. Each flavor was associated with an otter, and each with a clever otter name.

The best memories of Otter Pops will always be towards the end of the school year the entire school would participate in “field day.” Where everyone went outside and played sports, games, and other outdoorsy adventures. And because it was so dang hot by the beginning of June, we’d all get to enjoy some Otter Pops!

Best flavors? I’m going with “Little Orphan Orange” and “Poncho Punch.”

Minute Maid Juice Bars

Now, if we’re talking obscure icy treats, these Minute Maid Juice Bars make the top of the list. A staple of school lunches and assemblies, these made for a challenging fruit pop journey.

These were quite delicious and great for thirst quenching. However, the process of opening and eating this thing were of another world. The only way I can explain this would be to take a cardboard can of frozen juice concentrate and twist it into an hour glass shape. You’re still having to tear off the top, and because of the hour glass shape, there’s no place to set it down. So you’re holding onto a frozen piece of cardboard which will eventually become a container of flavored water if not consumed in a timely manner.

But for some reason schools loved these things, so there we were.

Is your mouth watering yet? Some of these popsicles are still on the market today. So there’s really no need to wait for the official start of summer. Treat yourself to something cool. And drop us a note of your favorite summer treat below!