Flutie or ice block is what we called ice pops when I was growing up in Guyana. My mom typically made flutie with cherry Koolaid poured into a rectangular plastic container, then cut into cubes. Back then not everyone had a refrigerator and those who were fortunate enough have one sold ice, flutie (or ice block) and custard block. I remember being about 7 or 8 and selling ice to our neighbors. I also remember that oh so familiar call, "inside y'all got any ice?"
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My flutie
The flutie my mom made when I was a little girl and the one I make today are very different. Unlike the flutie from my childhood, mine are made with 100% juice. I love the taste of pineapple, orange and guava. This combination of juices is so refreshingly delicious. And don't stress too much about what brand of juice to get. You may juice fresh fruit, if you have a juicer. Or you may buy fruit purees, bottled or canned juices. This is meant to be flexible and easy. I buy 100% juice but you can also use juice beverages if you prefer.
Making the flutie
To making the traditional cubed shaped flutie I used a cube silicone ice tray. Click here to see the tray I used. However, you can use a rectangular food storage container and then cut it into cubes or squares, the way my mom did when we were growing up.
You may also pour juice into plastic icicle bags and make some fruit icicles. I bought icicle bags on amazon at the link here. It is important to note that when I was growing up in Guyana, once you poured the juice into bags instead of into a tray it was called icicles and not flutie. Icicles were a great school yard snack and I don't remember my mom ever making them.
You may also pour the juice into silicone ice pop moulds and make ice pops which admittedly was my children's favorite and easiest way to enjoy this treat. Except of course for my littlest, Axel who "sucked down" on that flutie holding it in his hand with the juice running down his elbow. This little boy belongs in Guyana!
To sweeten or not to sweeten?
While making this post I made two versions of the juice, one sweetened with honey and one unsweetened. Surprisingly my children preferred the unsweetened version. They liked that is was refreshing with just the sweetness from the fruit. See which version is a hit with your family!
Make it boozy:
Add a cup of dark spiced rum to this mixture and upgrade your fluties to boozy fluties. They are perfect summer refreshers for a grown-up treat! But be sure to mark the boozy ones so that you don't get them mixed up with the kid friendly ones.
Save it for Later!
The Printable Flutie Recipe
Printable Recipe Card
Flutie (Guyanese Ice Block)
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup guava juice or nectar
- ¼ cup of granulated sugar or honey optional
Special equipment
- Rectangular plastic ice tray
or
- Silicone Cube icet ray
Instructions
- Combine all the fruit juices and sweetener of choice if using, into a large jug
- Mix together well
- Then pour into a rectangular ice tray or silicone ice cube tray
- Place tray in the freezer and allow to freeze overnight or until completely frozen
- If using a rectangular tray cut block into squares, then serve
- If using an ice cube tray, remove cubes from the tray and serve
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