Malawi Shandy Ice Lollies (Popsicles)
Malawi Shandy is one of those drinks that instantly takes me back to Zimbabwe.
I remember drinking it on houseboat holidays in Kariba and during trips to Victoria Falls—two destinations known for sunshine, adventure, and escaping everyday life. In both places, an ice-cold Malawi Shandy always seemed to taste better in the heat. Bright, citrusy, and finished with a few dashes of bitters, it was the kind of drink that felt synonymous with holidays, road trips, and long afternoons spent outdoors.
For most of my life, I never questioned the name. It wasn't until recently that I learned the word "shandy" likely traces its roots to the British shandygaff, a drink traditionally made by mixing beer with lemonade or ginger beer. Over time, however, the drink evolved into something distinctly Southern African. Today, Malawi Shandy is enjoyed far beyond Malawi itself and can be found throughout the region, where it is typically served as a refreshing non-alcoholic drink, though some people add vodka or rum for a simple cocktail.
Part of what makes Malawi Shandy so memorable is its appearance. The combination of citrus and bitters creates a beautiful amber-red gradient that is instantly recognizable to many Southern Africans. For some, it's a nostalgic reminder of family gatherings, holidays, and summer afternoons. For me, it's one of those flavors that immediately transports me back to some of Zimbabwe's most memorable warm-weather destinations.
For this recipe, I wanted to preserve both the flavor and the visual identity of the original by transforming it into an ice lolly. The result captures everything I love about Malawi Shandy: bright citrus, gentle spice, bittersweet complexity, and the sunset-like gradient that made me fall in love with the drink in the first place.
More than just a frozen treat, these ice lollies are a tribute to one of Southern Africa's most beloved warm-weather drinks and the memories attached to it.
Malawi Shandy Ice Lollies (Popsicles)
These Malawi Shandy Ice Lollies transform one of Southern Africa's most beloved citrus drinks into a refreshing frozen treat. Made with fresh orange juice, lemon, ginger ale, Sprite, and Angostura bitters, they capture the bright, bittersweet flavor and signature amber-red gradient of the original drink.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240ml) freshly squeezed orange juice (about 4 oranges)
- 1 cup (240ml) Sprite
- ½ cup (120ml) ginger ale
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tsp Angostura bitters
- 2 tsp prepared citrus base mixture
Instructions
- In a jug or bowl, combine the orange juice, Sprite, ginger ale, and lemon juice. Stir gently to combine, taking care not to remove too much carbonation.
- Pour the mixture into six ice lolly moulds, filling each mould approximately 90% full.
- Transfer the moulds to the freezer and chill for 35–45 minutes, or until the edges begin to freeze while the centre remains slushy.
- In a small bowl, combine the Angostura bitters with 2 teaspoons of the citrus base. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Remove the moulds from the freezer. Carefully pour approximately 1 teaspoon of the bitters mixture into each mould over the semi-frozen base. Do not stir or swirl! Allow the bitters mixture to settle naturally.
- Gently insert the mould lids or sticks without pressing down aggressively.
- Return the moulds to the freezer and freeze for 6–8 hours or overnight.
- To release the ice lollies, briefly run the outside of the mould under warm water for 2–3 seconds before gently pulling.
Notes
- Freshly squeezed orange juice produces the brightest flavour and colour.
- Do not over-stir after adding the bitters mixture, as this will disrupt the natural gradient effect.
- Each ice lolly will develop a slightly different pattern, making every one unique.
- For an adult version, serve alongside a Malawi Shandy spiked with vodka or rum.
- If using larger moulds, freezing times may increase.
- Store in an airtight container or in the moulds for up to 2 months. For best flavour and texture, enjoy within 3 weeks.
Serving Suggestion:
<span>• Garnish with orange slices and maraschino cherries.</span><br><span>• Serve alongside a chilled Malawi Shandy.</span><br><span>• Perfect for summer gatherings, braais, picnics, and poolside entertaining.</span><br><span>• Pair with tropical fruit platters or citrus-forward desserts.</span>
Nutrition Facts
Calories
45Carbs (grams)
11 gFiber (grams)
.2 gSugar (grams)
9 gProtein (grams)
.3 gI am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on dontmissmyplate.com should only be used as a general guideline.
Triple Citrus Gin and Tonic Ice Lollies
Oh yes, the glorious gin and tonic cocktail I've learned to appreciate over time. In the US, G&T is associated with elderly folks, not sure why! I've always been a wine enthusiast first, but I love a good gin o'clock once in a while.
When the weather starts to warm up wherever you are, consider converting this classic alcoholic beverage into an icy, sweet treat! I don't believe all cocktails lend themselves well to this method. For instance, a Pina colada could easily, vodka tonic or an old fashioned? Not so much. The lime, lemon, and botanicals help enhance the mixture and make it easy to convert the water-based drink into a popsicle. I used a decent quality gin infused with orange for a trifecta of citrusy goodness—perfect for the spring.
This recipe is obviously not for the kids! I will make some non-alcoholic versions in the future so stay tuned. Of course, you're going to need some moulds, but they're super inexpensive. Here are the ones I use: another one of my favourite spring (and summer) kitchen must-haves. Enjoy and lick quickly before it melts!
Ingredients
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon lime zest
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 1/2 cups tonic water
1/4 cup citrus-infused gin (I used Tanqueray Sevilla Orange)
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Botanicals (I used a few blueberries and one thing lime slice per lolly)
Instructions
Mix all the ingredients together except for the botanicals in a bowl, and stir well before transferring to a small jug. Make sure all the sugar is dissolved.
Use the jug to evenly pour the mixture into the individual moulds, almost filled but leaving enough room at the top for the blueberries or anything else you want at the bottom or sides of your ice lollies. You can add other botanicals at this point!
Freeze on a sturdy shelf overnight or for at least 6 hours. Carefully jiggle the lollies out of the case, and enjoy!
Note: If you have any mixture leftover, stir it into a regular gin and tonic!
