Ripley Simone Kennebrew, Staff Writer  

   This is not your average ice cream on a stick. popbar, a new and trendy dessert shop, takes traditional flavors of frozen gelato, sorbet, and yogurt to new heights by creating treats so memorable you will wish you had 10 more pops to enjoy. Famous for their customizable, handcrafted popGelato, popSorbetto, and wafflePops, popbar definitely delivers on variety. With locations in seven states and additional venues on the way, popbar is conveniently located in the new outdoor eating and shopping district, Halcyon, in Alpharetta, GA. The vivid, colorful facade welcomes you inside to cute and quaint decor, promising you an enjoyable experience.

   Upon entering popbar, my eyes quickly found the large freezer case displaying the mouthwatering desserts. The ample case loaded with more than 20 flavors of pops to choose from. The case showcases chocolate, caramel, and mint dippings and various toppings to choose from when designing your pop. popbar flavors range from vanilla and chocolate to bubble gum, with an endless amount of dessert combinations to customize. The process is easy to navigate: first, choose a pop. Then, select a dipping for your pop, either a half dip or a full dip, or have your pop drizzled in sauce. Lastly, choose your toppings and wait for them to set. The cold treats sell anywhere between $4 to $8 depending on your selections. 

   The pops I sampled were flavorful and unique in their own way. The mango popSorbetto sprinkled with chili powder is for the experienced dessert connoisseur. It is subtle, yet it still contains a powerful burst of flavor. The chili powder is spicy, robust, and, when paired with the fruity taste of mango, presents a sour, tingling sensation. The vanilla popGelato is creamy and smooth, everything that a classic vanilla pop should be. My pop was enhanced with a half dip of caramel chocolate and a half dip of vanilla white chocolate with milk chocolate drizzled on top. The hazelnut popGelato, half dipped in milk chocolate and half covered in almonds, is the best combination of hazelnut and almond nut flavors. The chocolate binds the flavors together, so that neither is more overpowering than the other. The wafflePop, served warm and delicious, is made fresh to order with the perfect amount of chocolate inside the waffle. Drizzled with milk and vanilla white chocolate and topped with sprinkles, this pop makes the perfect warm dessert for a cold day outside. The waffle is simultaneously crunchy on the edges and soft towards the middle. Last but not least was the peppermint hot chocolate. Starbucks can move aside. This relaxing drink is perfect for the brisk winter season. popbar’s hot chocolate encompasses delicious subtle hints of peppermint paired with a traditional hot chocolate taste. The food was so delicious, they left me wanting to indulge even more.

   Not only does popbar exceed in flavor profile, it is a great choice for customers searching for a frozen dessert to satisfy their food restrictions. For customers who are vegan, the popSorbettos are vegan, and the majority of dipping sauces and toppings as well. For customers with gluten allergies, the popSorbettos are gluten-free along with some of the popGelatos. The dippings, and a large number of toppings are also gluten free. All of the pops are made in house with no preservatives and no added sugar. These pops are absolutely for everyone. From the health and fitness fanatic to the sweets and desserts lover. Even the non-fruit lovers can find a popSorbetto to enjoy. There are pops for everyone, even for your fur babies. They can enjoy a “pup pack,” a frozen fruit treat made especially for the best dogs. 

   My advice for anyone considering trying a popbar: be creative and think outside of the box. The flavor combinations you invent will surprise you. popbar is an awesome treat for all groups to enjoy, and no matter the weather, its a great day to have a popbar pop. 

*This article is not sponsored by popbar