Paletas: A cool, delicious summer treat

By hola | Published July 22, 2026 | No Comments

Three watermelon paletas and two coconut paletas in a row

There is nothing better than a frozen treat on a hot summer day.

Paletas, which translates to popsicles or ice pops, are a satisfying choice:

Paletas de agua are made with fresh fruit, like the watermelon paletas below, water and a sweetener.
Paletas de leche or crema, like the quick coconut paletas below, are made with milk or heavy cream and other ingredients, such as fresh fruit, nuts, chocolate or coconut.

According to Culinary Backstreets and other sources, paletas originated in the Mexican town of Tocumbo, Michoacán, where sugarcane is grown. In the 1930s and 40s, growing sugarcane was hard labor for little pay. Rafael Malfavón, a local farmer and rancher, started selling frozen treats as an alternative income. Later, brothers Ignacio and Luis Alcázar and their friend Agustín Andrade took the success of paletas to Mexico City. Today, they are popular throughout Mexico and the United States.

Pick a flavor or try both and enjoy a delicious break from the heat.

Watermelon Paletas (Paletas de Sandía)

Ingredients

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 pounds diced watermelon (about 4 cups)
1 tablespoon lime juice
Pinch of salt (optional)

Adding the diced up watermelon to the blender

Directions

Dice and blend the watermelon — see tips. Seeded or seedless is fine.
Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat while stirring until the mixture comes to a boil and the sugar has dissolved. Let cool to room temperature.
Pour the syrup into a blender with the watermelon. Add the lime juice and salt and blend until smooth.
Divide the mixture among the molds and freeze for about five hours until solid. If you are using molds without lids, freeze the pops for about two hours until they begin to set. Then insert the sticks and freeze until solid, two to three more hours.

Tips

Two personal-sized watermelons will leave you with some leftovers.
Four cups of watermelon fit in a regular household blender. Instead of adding all of them at once, add one cup at a time blending in between each one.

Quick Coconut Paletas (Paletas de Coco Rápidas)

Ingredients

1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, lightly toasted
1/4 teaspoon salt

Popsicle molds filled with the watermelon and coconut mixtures, ready for freezing

Directions

Spread a thin layer of shredded coconut on a baking sheet. Bake at 325°F for 10 to 15 minutes. Move the coconut around every few minutes so it toasts evenly.
Combine the coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, half-and-half, salt and vanilla extract in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Stir in the shredded toasted coconut.
Divide the mixture among the molds and freeze until solid, about five hours. If you are using molds without lids, freeze the pops for about two hours until they begin to set. Then insert the sticks and freeze until solid, two to three more hours.