Otter Pops: A Frozen Treat with a Splash of Nostalgia

How I Transformed Otter Pops Into Something Truly Horrifying!

Greetings once again, nostalgia fans! I’ve created a few projects featuring classic monsters from horror movies but have yet to dip my toes in the slasher genre—until now! My latest video features me reimagining lovable Otter Pop treats as slasher movie villains, calling them “Slaughter Pops.” If you want to design your own Slaughter Pops, you can download this free template here.

While researching Otter Pops, I was surprised at the lack of information available for a beloved brand that has been around since the '70s and is still going strong. Nevertheless, here are some fun tidbits about the original Otter Pops frozen treats!

Otter Pops aren’t your average frozen treat—they’re a summertime staple, a nostalgic trip back to childhood, and a colorful piece of pop culture history.

Otter Pops made their debut in 1970, created by National Pax, a California-based company. Their introduction wasn’t accompanied by a massive media blitz, and you're unlikely to remember seeing too many Otter Pops commercials on television. However, Gregg Koenig posted this extremely rare Otter Pops commercial produced by Hanna-Barbera that starred the original Otter Pops lineup.

The original lineup included six classic flavors, each with its own distinct persona:

• Louie-Bloo Raspberry: The cool and calm blue otter with a rebellious streak.

• Sir Isaac Lime: A lime-flavored intellectual with a sharp wit.

• Alexander the Grape: A deep thinker who pondered the mysteries of grapes.

• Strawberry Short Kook: The laid-back surfer girl with a love for strawberry waves.

• Little Orphan Orange: A cheerful, bright orange otter with a mysterious backstory.

• Rip Van Lemon: The sleepy yellow otter who dreams of zesty lemons.

These characters turned Otter Pops into more than just a snack—they were a storytelling experience, with each pop representing a different slice of otter life.

The Flavors That Faded Away

As time went on, Otter Pops underwent several changes, with some flavors and characters being retired to make way for new ones. Fans still remember these “lost” Otter Pops with fondness, and their disappearance only adds to the mystique of the brand.

Shortly after Otter Pops premiered, Rip Van Lemon retired, never to awaken from his peaceful slumber. He was replaced by Poncho Punch, the fiesta-loving, party-starting otter with a punch of flavor.

In 1995, National Pax planned to retire another favorite, Sir Isaac Lime, and replace him with a new flavor, Scarlet O’Cherry. A nod to the iconic Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind, Scarlet O’Cherry was as bold in flavor as she was in personality.

As luck would have it, an internet petition spared Sir Isaac, and instead, it was Scarlet O’Cherry who ended up Gone with the Wind.

These discontinued flavors have achieved near-legendary status among Otter Pops fans, who still reminisce about the days when they could savor these classic tastes.

Fresh Faces: The New Otter Pops

While some characters have said their goodbyes, four new tropical flavors and otters have joined the lineup, ensuring that Otter Pops stay fresh and exciting for new generations:

• Anita Fruit Punch: The pro beach volleyball champ with a rousing catchphrase: “Anita fruit punch, and I need it now!”

• DJ Tropicool: The up-and-coming DJ on the scene whose pineapple taste really gets the party started.

• Cosmic Coconut: With a smooth, otherworldly taste, Cosmic Coconut adds a touch of the exotic to the mix, appealing to those who crave something a little different.

• Major Mango: Bringing a tropical twist to the Otter Pops family, Major Mango has become a fan favorite with her adventurous spirit and juicy mango flavor.

These new additions have kept Otter Pops relevant, offering a mix of old favorites and exciting new flavors that continue to delight fans of all ages.

The Otter Pops Universe: New Products and Merchandise

Otter Pops’ appeal has always gone beyond the freezer aisle, and the brand has made its way into various forms of products and merchandise over the years.

One of the most notable spin-offs is the Otter Ade drink mix, which allowed fans to enjoy the iconic flavors of Otter Pops in liquid form. Otter Ade captured the essence of the frozen treats, giving fans a new way to enjoy their favorite flavors on the go.

Other licensed products have included everything from T-shirts and hats to skateboards and collectible items, all celebrating the fun, vibrant world of Otter Pops. These products help keep the Otter Pops brand alive and relevant, offering fans new ways to connect with the characters they love.

Who is the Mystery Otter?

This screenshot from the '70s Hanna-Barbera Otter Pops commercial features the original box with a mystery Otter Pop character dressed in a general’s uniform. If you know this otter’s name or would like to make an educated guess, we’re all ears!

As new generations discover the joy of Otter Pops, the brand continues to evolve, ensuring that the cool, colorful world of Otter Pops will be a part of summer memories for years to come.

And there you have it, a brief history of Otter Pops. What do you think of my Slaughter Pops redesign? Are there any slasher movie villains you wish I had given the Otter Pop treatment? Let me know by leaving a comment.

Don't forget, my Patreon has an archive of all the project files I’ve created, including the Star Wars Colorforms set.

That's all for this month. Until next time, keep making awesome stuff!