Peach Margarita Paletas

 

These peach margarita paletas are made with fresh Texas peaches, Cointreau and plenty of tequila.

Peach Margarita Paletas

Summer is upon us, bring on the paletas! During the hot days of summer, nothing cools you off more than an icy cold paleta. The weather has been amazingly HOT here in South Texas which means only one thing; it’s time to make Paletas, lots and lots of paletas.

Paletas are Mexican ice pops that originated in Mexico in the early 1900s. There are fresh fruit variations, creamy based and some even include spices, herb, and nuts.  Paletas are vivid, bursting with flavors and come in endless fruit combinations.  Sold in pushcarts the paleta vendor would ring a little bell as he walked the streets next to my abuelita’s house in Matamromoras, Mexico. When we heard that little bell, we would run to ask Papi for change. Paletas are the ultimate summer time treat, and we couldn’t get enough of them.

Now as an adult I still want to enjoy a refreshing paleta, but I’ll take mine spiked, thank you. These peach margarita paletas are made with fresh Texas peaches, Cointreau and plenty of tequila. I picked up a crate of fresh Fredericksburg peaches at a roadside stand. Juicy, sunkissed Texas peaches are one of the rewards of surging another summer in Texas. Our daily temperature can range from high in the 90s well into the 100s, brutal.

photos by Gabriel Mancha Martinez

Paletas can be easily made at home – all you need is a set of molds, fresh fruit, and the patientence to wait for them to firm up.

I juiced the peaches before mixing in the Cointreau and tequila. You could also add diced peaches to the mixture before pouring into the mold. Fresh mint would also work well. Paletas spiked with alcohol will take additional time to firm, but trust me Its’ worth the wait. When serving sprinkle with salt for the full-effect.

These margarita paletas can be made with blueberries, melon, pineapples, and mango with plenty of chile.