Just in time for a poolside party or lounging on the patio, Valencia Hotel Group’s bars have unleashed their new menu of poptails, a sinfully spirited spin on the popsicle. Here’s how you can craft your own grown-up versions of the classic treat.

It’s easy to be transported back to childhood summers spent soaking up the sun while you enjoy the newest additions to Valencia Hotel Group’s bars. Perfect for splashing in the shimmering rooftop pool outside Houston’s Monnalisa or cooling down while taking in views of San Jose’s Santa Cruz Mountains, Valencia Hotel Group’s new seasonal menu of alcoholic “poptails” provide a sweet, frozen twist on traditional cocktails. In fact, the hotels have rolled out a series of special summer packages built around the idea.

But the fun doesn’t have to stop when you head home (or when summer’s over). These recipes, all distinct to the eight Valencia Hotel Group properties, will help you keep the spirit of vacation going any time you want. All that’s missing is the twinkling melody of an ice cream truck.

Blackberry-Infused Vodka Martini

[HOTEL SORELLA CITYCENTRE, HOUSTON, TX]
Cocktail Ingredients
  • 1½ oz. vodka
  • ¼ oz. lime juice
  • ¼ oz. triple sec
  • ½ oz. Razzmatazz Schnapps Liqueur
  • ½ oz. cranberry juice
Popsicle Ingredients
  • 2¼ oz. cranberry juice
  • ½ oz. simple syrup
  • ½ oz. lime juice
  • ¼ oz. blackberry juice
  • ¾ oz. cranberry juice
  • ¾ oz. raspberry juice
Preparation
  1. Combine popsicle ingredients; pour into mold and let freeze overnight.
  2. Mix cocktail ingredients and pour into rocks glass, add popsicle, and enjoy.

Cherry Mint Freeze

[LONE STAR COURT, AUSTIN, TX]
Ingredients
  • 3 oz. Sprite
  • 1½ oz. vodka
  • ½ oz. lime juice
  • ¼ oz. grenadine
  • fresh mint
  • cherry popsicle
Preparation
  1. Combine vodka, lime juice, and grenadine; shake and strain into glass.
  2. Top with Sprite; add fresh mint and cherry popsicle and serve.

Red, White & Boozy

[CAVALRY COURT, COLLEGE STATION, TX]
Ingredients
  • 1½ oz. Rum Haven Coconut Rum
  • 1½ oz. white cranberry juice
  • ¼ oz. grenadine
  • blue sour sugar
  • Bomb Pop popsicle
Preparation
  1. Combine rum and juice in a shaker; shake until tin freezes over.
  2. Strain into chilled martini glass rimmed with blue sour sugar.
  3. Add grenadine. Garnish with a cherry and Bomb Pop popsicle.

Strawberry Greyhound Poptail

[HOTEL ALESSANDRA, HOUSTON, TX]
Ingredients
  • 5 oz. Absolut Grapefruit Vodka
  • 8 oz. strawberry-infused syrup
  • 8 oz. Ruby Red grapefruit juice
  • 8 oz. water
Preparation
  1. Combine all ingredients in a bucket and mix well.
  2. Pour as needed into a popsicle form or single-serve bags.

Makes around 20 popsicles.

 

Valencia Dream

[HOTEL VALENCIA RIVERWALK, SAN ANTONIO, TX]
Ingredients
  • 40 oz. orange juice
  • 10 oz. vanilla schnapps
  • 10 oz. water
  • 6 oz. cherry juice
  • prosecco
Preparation
  1. Mix all ingredients and transfer into popsicle molds filled 3/4 of the way.
  2. Let freeze overnight. Serve in a coupe glass filled with prosecco.

Makes 1/2 gallon.


Mexican Candy Poptail

[TEXICAN COURT, IRVING, TX]
Ingredients
  • 1¾ oz. silver tequila
  • ½ oz. watermelon liqueur
  • 2 oz. Sprite
  • 3 dashes Texican Hot Sauce
  • Tajin seasoning
  • lime wedge
  • watermelon popsicle
Preparation
  1. Add tequila, watermelon liqueur, and Sprite to a shaker filled with ice.
  2. Shake and strain into Tajin-rimed glass with fresh ice.
  3. Top with three dashes of Texican Hot Sauce.
  4. Add popsicle and lime wedge to garnish.

Mango Chile Margarita

[HOTEL VALENCIA SANTANA ROW, SAN JOSE, CA]
Ingredients
  • 1¼ oz. Sauza Silver Tequila
  • ½ oz. triple sec
  • ½ oz. fresh lime juice
  • ½ oz. agave nectar
  • sliced jalapeño
  • mango popsicle
Preparation
  1. Rim glass with spicy salt (equal parts margarita salt and chili powder or Tajin).
  2.  Shake ingredients and strain into glass.
  3. Garnish with sliced jalapeño or milder pepper if preferred. Serve with mango popsicle.

GIN GEORGE

[THE GEORGE, COLLEGE STATION, TX]
Ingredients
  • 1 ½ oz. Tanqueray
  • 1 oz. lemon juice
  • ¾ oz. honey simple syrup
  • 2 dashes lavender bitters
  • lemon popsicle
Preparation
  1. Combine all ingredients into shaker filled with ice. Shake well.
  2. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon popsicle.
tagged in Austin, College Station, Houston, Irving, San Antonio, San Jose
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