It's time to talk about popsicles right now, while the air is balmy and the collective mood is high. Leave it to San Francisco to suddenly obsesses about local, seasonal, organic, handmade popsicles, all together now. This week, you can buy popsicles that taste like apple pie from a tricycle in the Mission. Bar Gelato pops made with locally-distilled single malt scotch are wrapped up at the Academy of Sciences, and there's a seafoam green food truck that will whip up a batch of liquor-laced "adult" mojito pops upon special request. Here's a laundry list of some new notables on the popsicle scene that's suddenly become a thing. Good luck finding a fudgesicle.
From a Truck
Bomb Truck: You'll find LA-native Barbara Villegas' food truck in the Mission on most weekends, doling out handmade, organic and mostly vegan popsicles, many of them with a Latin twist: horchata, banana coconut blueberry, and mom's flan are among the best sellers. Bomb also makes pupsicles for dogs, and adult pops like lavender mojito and sangria for private parties. Check Facebook for the latest.
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 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.). 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
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 farmers markets around the Bay 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.
What's your favorite popsicle in town? Do share in the comments.
