The Classic Baltimore Summer Treat That Sounds Odd But Is Really Delicious

I was scrolling through TikTok a few mornings ago and found an unusual treat that immediately had me intrigued—the Baltimore Lemon Stick. I'd never heard about this and it was so colorful I just knew I had to try it.

Apparently, this is a popular treat traditionally enjoyed at the annual Flower Mart festival in Baltimore and it may seem odd, but it's actually quite good. The treat is made from two ingredients: a lemon and a soft peppermint stick. My kids and I recently gave it a try—here's what you need to know.

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How to Make a Baltimore Lemon Stick

To make a Baltimore lemon stick, you cut a whole lemon in half and make a small hole in the middle of each half. If you want more lemon juice, you can also just cut off the top of the lemon and make a hole in the middle. Then, you insert a peppermint stick into the lemon. As you suck on the peppermint stick, the lemon juice is drawn up through the candy (because it's porous), creating a tangy-sweet treat that is surprisingly refreshing.

Not only is the snack colorful, with the red and white of the peppermint stick contrasting nicely against the yellow of the lemon, but the contrast of flavors actually makes each of the ingredients less intense. The sourness of the lemon is tempered by the minty freshness of the peppermint stick, and the minty flavor is mellowed out by the lemon.

Related: 32 Bursting With Tart Flavor Lemon Desserts to Brighten Your Table

What We Thought of the Baltimore Lemon Stick

I asked my kids to try this with me and they had very mixed reactions. One child refused to try it, one loved the lemon but not the peppermint, one liked the peppermint but not the lemon and one didn't like either one. My husband also tried it and said that it was different, but "not unpleasant." He thought it would be better if it were made with peppermint straws.

I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but it must not have been too bad because I ate two. On the second one, I squeezed the lemon to release the juice, and that made the peppermint melt a bit. The result was a stronger flavor, but a sticky mess.

If you're worried about the mess, you could make a similar treat by mixing up some homemade lemonade and dropping a soft peppermint in it or by drinking it through a peppermint straw.

The Baltimore Lemon Stick may be unusual, but it's a fun summer treat that's worth a try!

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