Homemade Orange Soda Popsicles: A Healthier Summertime Treat for Kids

There’s nothing quite like cooling off with a frozen treat during the hot summer months, especially when you can feel good about the ingredients. We’ve all been there, trying to find that perfect snack that’s fun, refreshing, and kid-approved, but without all the artificial colors, sugars, and ingredients we try to avoid. That’s why I’m so excited to share our latest kitchen experiment: homemade orange soda popsicles made with better-for-you soda alternatives like Poppi and Zevia.

Yes, you read that right, we made popsicles with soda! But not just any soda. These days, there are some amazing brands out there crafting healthier versions of classic favorites. If you’ve never made popsicles with soda before, you’re in for a fizzy surprise that your kids will love.





Why We Chose Poppi and Zevia for Our Soda Popsicles

When I was looking for a fun treat to make with my daughter this summer, I wanted something nostalgic but without the sugar overload. That’s when I remembered a recipe I tried years ago using organic soda. While Veri Organic Soda used to be our go-to, it's no longer available. Thankfully, Poppi and Zevia now fill that space beautifully.

Poppi is a prebiotic soda made with apple cider vinegar, real fruit juice, and lightly sparkling water. It’s low in sugar (just 4-5g per can), contains only around 20 calories, and it actually supports gut health. Poppi’s Orange flavor has a bold citrus taste that’s bright, not too sweet, and surprisingly close to a classic orange soda without the guilt.

Zevia is another family favorite in our house. It’s a zero-calorie, zero-sugar soda sweetened with stevia. Their Orange flavor is caffeine-free, non-GMO, and has no artificial colors (it’s actually clear!). If you’re looking for a soda option with a clean ingredients list and no aftertaste, Zevia is a great choice.

Both of these brands offer kid-friendly flavors that are fun without compromising on health, making them a win for parents and a treat for little ones.
 



Making Orange Soda Popsicles (With a Twist!)

We pulled out our trusty Zoku Quick Pop Maker, which has been a summer staple in our home for years. If you don’t have one, any standard popsicle mold will do just fine—it just takes a little more freezing time.

Here’s how we made our Orange Soda Popsicles with a tropical twist:

Ingredients:

1 can of Poppi Orange or Zevia Orange soda (you can even mix for flavor variety!)

Pineapple chunks (fresh or canned in juice)

Optional: berries or kiwi slices for added flair

Instructions:

Let the soda go flat. This is important! It helps reduce bubbles and ensures a smoother texture for your popsicles.

Place a few pieces of pineapple into each mold.

Pour the soda over the fruit slowly to avoid overflow and air pockets.

Insert sticks and freeze according to your mold’s instructions. (If using a Zoku, you’ll have pops in under 10 minutes!)

Once frozen, remove and enjoy!

The result? A refreshing, fruity treat that my daughter described as “juicy” instead of “spicy” (her term for bubbly sodas). She usually steers clear of carbonated drinks, so I was thrilled that this treat hit the sweet spot.



Customization Ideas

The best part about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. If orange isn’t your favorite, try:

Poppi Strawberry Lemon with fresh strawberries

Zevia Grape with blueberries for a bold purple pop

Poppi Cherry Limeade with cherry chunks and lime slices

You can even mix soda flavors or add a splash of 100% juice to adjust the sweetness. Let your kids help, they’ll love choosing their own flavor and fruit combinations.

Why These Popsicles Are a Mom Win

As a busy mom, I’m always on the lookout for snacks that strike the balance between fun and nourishing. Traditional sodas and store-bought popsicles often come with a long list of ingredients I can’t pronounce. With these DIY soda pops, I know exactly what’s going in, and more importantly, what’s not.

No artificial colors or flavors

No high fructose corn syrup

Low sugar or sugar-free options

Caffeine-free and kid-approved

Poppi also offers the bonus of prebiotics to support gut health, which is great for little tummies, especially in the summer when hydration and digestion can get thrown off.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're planning a summer birthday party, a weekend BBQ, or just want to add a little sparkle to your week, these orange soda popsicles are a fun and simple treat the whole family can enjoy. They’re a creative way to use healthier sodas like Poppi and Zevia and an easy way to sneak in a little extra fruit.

Have you ever tried making popsicles with soda? What flavors would your kids love most? Let me know in the comments, I’m always looking for our next frozen creation!

Note: This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. I received no compensation for this post, just sharing a favorite family treat that’s perfect for summer!

52 comments

  1. First I'd try their Cola flavor.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  2. I'd like to try the Ginger Ale.

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  3. Veri Orange sounds so good I would love try all the flavors!

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  4. we love the orange flavor!!

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  5. Im excited to try the Veri Ginger Ale!! It sounds fantastic!!

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  6. The ginger ale sounds refreshing - I haven't tried any of the stevia sweetened drinks yet, the cane juice probably would offset it a bit.

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  7. I would love to try Lemon Lime

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  8. Veri Orange Soda sounds like my drink! I absolutely love oranges :)

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  9. I'm excited to try the cola.

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  10. I would love to try the Ginger Ale.

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  11. The Veri Orange sounds awesome! I would like any of them though :)

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  12. I'd like to try the orange flavor.
    mcfallsk8er[at]aim[dot]com

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  13. I would like the cola Veri soda.

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  14. I think I would try the cola flavored one first

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  15. I would like to try the cola flavor.

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  16. Mmm this looks so good. I have the Zoku Pop Maker too and I love it. We used Vitamin water to make healthy pops. I’d love to try this veri soda pop idea! Yummy. Love that Veri soda is so healthy!

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  17. The Very Orange flavor sounds good!

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  18. This is really cool concept, never tried something like this with pops! Love that the calorie count is so less, I am trying to control calories during summer and it really is hard! Cola flavor would definitely be interesting one to try especially during summer. Thanks for the awesome giveaway and good luck to all!

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  19. I'D LIKE TO TRY THE VERI GINGER ALE. thanks!

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  20. I would love to try their ginger ale.

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  21. I would like to try the Ginger Ale...haven't had a Ginger Ale in a long time!

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  22. Marnie G (Derrick Todd)7/22/2015 09:10:00 PM

    I would love to try all of them. I would probably try Orange first.

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  23. I'm excited to try the Orange and Cola flavors!

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  24. I love the taste of real ginger and have yet to find a ginger ale that actually tastes like ginger, so I am excited to try the Ginger Ale flavor.

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  25. I would love to try the Orange flavor.

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  26. I'm excited to try ginger ale

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  27. I am excited to try the lemon lime soda

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  28. I would love to try the Orange Soda first!

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  29. I'm most excited to try the orange first! =)

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  30. I would love to try the lemon/lime. I like to add a little in my waters for flavor. I think this would be the best.

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  31. I would love to try the ginger ale! Sounds very good!

    commonsenseandstilettos@yahoo.com

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  32. I'm most excited to try the ginger ale.

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  33. These homemade frozen soda pops sound delicious! I love the idea of using low calorie, caffeine free soda when making them. My kids would love the orange! :)

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  34. The cola flavor sounds great for the adult me...I see some good coke Icee's with it, but I really like the idea of these orange pops for my grandkids. They'll love them.

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  35. Never made pops with soda. I have never thought about it but shure sounds like a fantastic idea. Especially with a soda that is organic!

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  36. I want to try these for my children this summer!

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  37. Im sure my son would love this when he gets older

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  38. What a fun treat for these warm summer months!

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  39. well ya have me curious about this brand....wonder if I can locate some in my area!

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  40. These sound delicious. I'm embarrassed to say we have a Zoku maker that we haven't used yet!!

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  41. I have never heard of this soda. I love the idea of making soda pops! Yum!

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  42. Things like these always make for a great basement party staple. I have a birthday party coming right up mid-month here, and the kids are going to just love this. Thanks for sharing it.

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  43. These look like awesome ice pops.

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  44. I would love to have a Zoku Pop Maker. My daughter would like of all sorts of flavors of pops to make, but these look so tasty and fun too.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

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  45. These look great. Ibet they ar really refreshing. Ilike homemade pops. so much better ingredients.

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  46. I haven't had soda pops since I was a kids. I would definitely make them with orange soda!

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  47. Making soda pops like sounds cheaper and tastier! Making some orange pops sounds like tasty dreamsicles & I like them!

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  48. These are looking good and tasty

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  49. I have not tried but they look good

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  50. These look delish & refreshing!

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  51. I want to try the lemon lime soda. I'm gonna try the popsicle recipe for my granddaughters.

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  52. These sure would make a refreshing summer treat!

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Thank you for dropping by! I would love to hear what you thought. :)

Thanks!
♥,
Diana