Photograph by Aaron Schorch Photography / Courtesy of King of Pops
Local popsicle masters King of Pops have crafted more than 500 different flavors since they first began slinging the frosty treats in 2010, ranging from traditional (cookies ‘n cream, fresh peach, strawberry lemonade) to very unique (“berry corny,” a mix of sweet corn and blueberry; chai kulfi with masala chai; and a Caribbean guanabana pop). Starting in May, they’ll add eight new flavors to the mix, inspired by teams playing in Atlanta for the World Cup.
Dubbed the “Pop Cup,” King of Pops created popsicles themed for 7 of the 9 teams playing in Atlanta’s group stage games, as well as a pop for the U.S. Men’s National Team. (Czechia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were unfortunately announced too late in the development process, which began last fall.) The flavors are inspired by sweets and drinks beloved in each country, and the wrappers will include fun facts about the soccer teams. King of Pops founder Steven Carse says that choosing an authentic flavor for each country was important to the team. They wanted flavors that they could feel proud of while talking to international visitors this summer.
“That was kind of our challenge to ourselves, to make sure we were not just doing one Google search and making it,” Carse says.
The eight flavors are:
Spain: Tinto De Verano: Inspired by a half-red wine, half-lemon-lime soda cocktail, KOP’s version will feature muscadine grapes, lemon, lime, cane sugar, and sea salt.
Cabo Verde: Doce De Coco: Based on a caramelized coconut confection, this pop will include coconut cream, caramelized sugar, sea salt, and shredded coconut at the bottom of the pop. Carse notes that this is his favorite of the World Cup flavors.
South Africa: Granadilla & Naartjie: Inspired by a South African “fridge tart,” this pop combines granadilla (passion fruit), naartjie (a mandarin-like orange), and coconut.
Saudi Arabia: Halawa: A sesame tahini treat, this pop will contain tahini, organic milk and cream, orange blossom honey, and sea salt.
Morocco: Mint Tea: A sweetened blend of mint tea and spearmint with a splash of lemon.
Haiti: Ji Korosol: Based on a soursop smoothie (a fruit KOP describes as “a bit like a pineapple crossed with banana”), the pop combines the tropical fruit with milk, lime, cane sugar, and fresh nutmeg.
Uzbekistan: Kompot: A traditional drink made with steeped fruit, this pop combines apricot, cherry, lemon, and apple. Carse says this was the most challenging pop to create, largely because the team was so unfamiliar with Uzbekistan’s cuisine.
U.S.A: Stars & Stripes: A nod to the red, white, and blue, the pop layers strawberry, vanilla, and blueberry.
Fans will be encouraged to enter codes printed on the wrappers online to win prizes. The grand prize is two tickets to Atlanta’s semifinal match on July 15. The first 100 people to put in a code from all eight flavors will receive a special Pop Cup scarf.
Carse says the pops will begin production this week and should be in carts by early May. While the South Downtown cart at Mitchell Street and Ted Turner Drive will be the “flagship” destination for the pops with all flavors available, the World Cup pops will also be scattered in carts throughout the metro and available at the King of Pops bar at Ponce City Market. Carse says only one run of the pops will be made, so when they’re gone, they’re gone, but the hope is that the pops will be available through the July 15 semifinal game. And if certain flavors are popular enough, they could see a return.
“The jury will be out on whether these end up being classics or if they’re never made again,” Carse says.
Excitement is already buzzing around the limited-edition pops, and Carse says he thinks the campaign will be a fun way for people to interact with the tournament, particularly for families and children. “We’ve been working really hard on coming up with ideas that resonate, [and] this one feels like it did,” he says.
