On sweltering summer days during my childhood, the only thing that could drag my friends and me from the respite of shade trees was the promise of sugary, iced treats. Running to the ice cream truck or the local market with scrounged-up change in hand is one of those quintessential childhood memories that many of us share. And the goodies we gravitated toward, much like the experience itself, remain among the ranks of summer’s permanent representatives, along with barbecues and swimming pools. The names may have changed over the years and the flavors may have branched out, but our favorite ice cream and Popsicle purchases are as popular and enduring as ever.
Drumstick/Nutty Buddy
Whether you called them Drumsticks or Nutty Buddys, the combination of vanilla ice cream, a peanut-covered chocolate shell, and waffle cone with chocolate at the bottom is a hit at any age. Though the makers have enhanced them with caramel and fudge swirls, they still haven’t solved the “peanuts falling everywhere” problem.
Push-Up Pops
Push-Ups come in a variety of flavors now, but when I was younger, it was orange sherbet or nothing. Kids don’t know how good they have it these days!
Otter Pops
Generally, foods colored bright blue and neon green tend to turn people off, but Otter Pops are a special exception. Not only are these portable, slushy sugar rushes guaranteed to dye tongues funky colors, but each flavor has a fun character associated with it. (I was partial to Little Orphan Orange, but my friend—who, at the age of twenty-three, recently bought a Costco-sized box for himself—swears that Alexander the Grape is where it’s at.)
Choco Taco
Not everybody grew up with Choco Tacos, but those who did carry a fondness for them that’s impossible to shake. They can be hard to find, but rest assured, there’s an ice cream cart or random mini-mart out there still selling them.
50/50 Bars
Also known as orange Creamsicles, these vanilla ice cream filled orange popsicles are a favorite hot weather treat for people of all ages.
