On a hot summer day, when an egg could be fried on a sidewalk, nothing sounds better than a unique and refreshing frozen dessert from FatFace, Ginger Elizabeth or DavePops to cool things down. The photo essay below gives descriptions of the frozen popsicles and frozen treats.

Fat Face Popsicles (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) FatFace Popsicles
“(Coming up with the flavors) is just experimenting,” said owner and creator of the multi-flavor popsicles, Jaymes Luu. “I’m always thinking about it, even when I’m eating out. I’ll get a salad and I’ll go, these peaches and jalapeños taste great together - that should be a Popsicle.”

With such flavors as Kaffir Lime and Avocado and Blueberry and Lemon Yogurt, FatFace provides a unique Summer treat.

Kaffir Lime and avacado (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Kaffir Lime and Avocado
“I was looking for a way to make a tasty avocado popsicle,” Luu said. “I attempted avocado and chocolate to no success, but my next attempt was to pair it with limes. A friend had the brilliant idea of the Kaffir lime which I think adds a different and wonderful layer of lime flavor.”

Kaffir Lime is native to Indonesia. Often used in Thai food, Kaffir Lime gives off a zesty, more fragrant flavor than its other lime counterparts.

Strawberry Lemonade (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Strawberry Lemonade
Luu said Strawberry Lemonade started as strawberry basil lemonade because she loves the combination of strawberry and basil and basil and lemonade and thought they would be even better all together. Despite it being one of her favorites, she had to cut the basil because too many kids wanted a non-basil option.

“(Strawberry Lemonade) is a plain flavor kids like,” Luu added. “When parents may not think their kids will be adventurous, (I suggest this), so it is a pretty popular flavor.” strawberry lemonade

Hibiscus Mint with Grape (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Hibiscus Mint with Grape
Hibiscus mint with grape was the winner of a popsicle flavor contest. The contest was open to everyone, and a customer, Dael Franke, created this flavor, Luu said.

“(A) wonderful minty-ness with the right amount of tart, and who doesn't love frozen grapes? So refreshing.” Luu added.

Strawberry Coconut (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Strawberry Coconut
“Strawberry Coconut was inspired by my love for strawberry piña colada,” Luu said. “I decided against leaving in the pineapple because I couldn't consistently get the pineapple flavor right. This is a nice fruity and creamy flavor.”
Blueberry Lemon Yogurt (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Blueberry Lemon Yogurt
For the outside of the creamsicle style treat, Blueberry Lemon Yogurt is blended with vanilla and blueberries for the creamy outside, and lemon and yogurt are combined for the creamy inside, Luu said. “Blueberry and lemon are a pretty classic combination so we had fun here with aesthetic inspiration of creamsicles.”

Luu said the unique combinations, creamy texture and vibrant colors are what she enjoys about creating new flavors.

Yellow Watermelon Pineapple (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Yellow Watermelon Pineapple
“(Watermelon and Pineapple) are two of my favorite fruits!” Luu said. “I stuck them together because they're both yellow. I think it is one of the most beautiful popsicles I make. It is not one of the more popular flavors because it is a lot more mild in flavor punch — more subtle on the palate.”

Thai Tea and Sweet Potato (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Thai Tea and Sweet Potato
Luu said Thai Tea and Sweet Potato was a community creation. A customer, Tony Martin, kept telling Luu to make a Thai tea popsicle. She said she could not think of what market ingredient she could incorporate until (Davis Farmer's Market) Manager Randii MacNear had the sweet potato epiphany, and Luu said it's been one of the most popular flavors since.

“People are great about coming in and telling me their flavor ideas,” Luu added.

Luu is always looking for new ideas to add to the menu. FatFace is located at 1815 19th St. and is open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. All popsicles are $3.

Ginger Elizabeth
“Sacramento (gets) very hot, so we’ve always done Ice Cream products, May through October,” said owner Ginger Elizabeth Hahn. “I’m a trained pastry chef and chocolatier, so (the frozen desserts) are a creative outlet and it’s fun to do things over summer."

Sorbet Bars (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Sorbet Bars - $4
Hahn said the sorbet bars are new this season and that local (and seasonal) organic fruit from organic farms determines the flavors of the frozen dessert.

Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Parisian Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich - $5.50
“The Parisian Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich is something we have every summer,” Hahn said. “It is a favorite.”

Hahn said the macaron cookie recipe used at Ginger Elizabeth sets it apart from other ice cream sandwiches because it keeps the texture of the cookies soft even when frozen. The ice cream sandwiches are made from scratch and flavors include Pistachio, Lemon or Salty Caramel.

Ginger Elizabeth is located at 1801 L St. Suite 60. and is open Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

DavePops
No fat, no drips, no dairy. That is what Dave Feldpausch, owner and creator of DavePops provides his customers. The common question he gets is, can it be any good?“I think the popularity of the non-dairy milks shows that it doesn’t have to be dairy to be good,” Feldpausch said of his hand-made goods. They are soft and creamy without dairy due to DavePops use of Silk soy milk and his invention of the dublé process.

The dublé process is a play on words meaning that the popsicles are frozen twice to maintain the creamy texture with the ability to use all of a fruit. Much of a fruit's nutrients are in the skin, and with the dublé process of freezing the pureed whole fruit and soy milk (or juice, water) and then combining all the ingredients and freezing again, this allows a healthy fruit base instead of a dairy base.

Selections of flavors can be made from four categories: whole fruit, soy milk, specialty and from the diabetic-friendly LukePops, also created by Feldpausch and named for Feldpausch's nephew who is diabetic.

Each of the whole fruit and soy-based popsicles contain sugar and Pectin, Pectin being the ingredient that keeps the moisture in. Polydextrose, splenda and glycerin are added. All of DavePops popsicles are vegan except for the mint chocolate chip, which contains milk chocolate. LukePops are made with Splenda and contain half the carbohydrates and calories for diabetics. LukePops have fruit or soda (water-based) as the primary ingredient for the base.

“Coming up with the flavors is all trial by error. I’ve developed the flavors over many years with my friends and family as guinea pigs.”

Coconut Flake (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Coconut Flake
“Coconut flake is a new flavor this year (in the specialty category),” Feldpausch said. “Silk came out with its new milk, so I decided to try that. I think that putting the coconut flakes is a little sweet, but the people that really like coconut really wanted the flakes.”

Strawberry (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Strawberry
Feldpausch said the first flavor he ever did was strawberry. He said it is the most popular, especially with children. "(Coming up with the flavors) was all an evolution," Feldpausch added.

Mint Chocolate Chip (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Mint Chocolate Chip
“A lot of the mint ice creams are (a let down),” Feldpausch said. “I wanted to make one that wouldn’t disappoint.” Feldpausch is able to maintain the mint flavor of the DavePop because he can use the mint as a base for the popsicle through the dublé process. Mango Mandarin Orange (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Mango Mandarin Orange
“Mango Mandarin orange is the second most popular flavor overall, after strawberry. I worked with the tropical flavors, and this was one of the best combinations." Feldpausch said the fruits are very popular and blend well.

Blueberry (LukePops) (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Blueberry
“My Nephew is diabetic, and it took a long time but I came up with the (idea to use) Splenda (to replace the sugar) in DavePops,” Feldpausch said. Root Beer (Specialty) (Image by: Elizabeth Orfin) Root Beer
“People say it tastes like a root beer float,” Feldpausch said. Thomas Kemper Root Beer is used in the recipe, and Feldpausch said when people know it's Kemper, they know it's good. He said the Root Beer popsicle is more flavorful than some root beer ice creams. Root Beer is the best-selling of the specialty popsicles. Other seasonal specialty popsicles include a Red Bull popsicle.

“It depends on the day. Kids love Strawberry, but sometimes Mint Chocolate Chip sells out,” Feldpausch said. “What’s really satisfying is to work on something this long and to get the reaction I get. It’s very positive.”

DavePops are $3 and can be bought several different times and locations:
At the Farmer's Market at Cesar Chavez Park on J St. and 9th St. on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At every Saturday at the Oak Park Farmers Market at McClatchy Park 3500 5th Ave. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At every 2nd Sunday at the Sacramento Antique Fair on 21 St. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At every 2nd Saturday at 919 20th St. from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.