Pioneer Woman Arnold Palmer Popsicles

Pioneer Woman Arnold Palmer popsicles are an easy frozen treat made with lemon sugar, fresh juice and black tea, ready in 80 minutes plus freezing. That makes them a go-to for summer cookouts, pool parties or lazy afternoons, since they hold up way better than iced tea in a glass.

The make-or-break step is letting the lemon zest sit in the sugar for a full hour, because that rest pulls the citrus oils out. Without it the popsicles taste flat instead of bright.

Instead of mixing store-bought lemonade with tea like most Arnold Palmer recipes, this version infuses lemon sugar straight into hot black tea. That gives the tartness a cleaner edge, since every drop carries both tea and citrus together.

Pioneer Woman Arnold Palmer Popsicles

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

10

servings

Prep time

1

hour 

15

minutes

Cooking time

4

minutes

Calories

83

kcal

A cool, tangy pop built on brewed tea sweetened with citrus-infused sugar, then set in molds until firm.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
  

• 3 large lemons, zest and juice
  

• 2 cups water
  

• 3 individual-size bags black tea

Directions

• Make the lemon sugar: Pour sugar into a resealable container, then zest all lemons and mix the zest into the sugar. Once combined, cover and set aside for at least 1 hour while stirring occasionally, because that rest lets the oils release from the zest.
• Juice the lemons: Juice all the lemons while the sugar rests, then set the juice aside so it is ready when the tea is done.
• Brew the tea: Heat the water on the stovetop to a simmer, then add the tea bags, cover and steep for 5 minutes before removing the bags.
• Combine everything: Add the lemon sugar and lemon juice to the hot tea, then stir until the sugar dissolves so there is no grit left.
• Strain and pour: Pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher, then fill popsicle molds and leave about 1/4 inch at the top for expansion.
• Freeze: Set covers on the molds, insert sticks halfway and freeze for 4 hours or overnight, but check after 1 hour to adjust sticks that shifted.
• Unmold and store: Run the mold under warm water to loosen the popsicles, then pull them out and wrap each in parchment before storing in a resealable bag.

Tools for this recipe

• Microplane zester grater, Zulay metal lemon squeezer, 10-cavity silicone popsicle molds. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I Use a Different Type of Tea?

Green tea or chamomile both work, though the flavor shifts from the classic Arnold Palmer profile. If you go with green tea, steep for only 3 minutes since it turns bitter faster than black.

How Long Do These Popsicles Last in the Freezer?

They keep for about 2 months when wrapped in parchment and sealed in a freezer bag. After that they start picking up off flavors, so label the bag with the date to keep track.

Can I Make the Tea Base Ahead of Time?

The tea base keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days, so you can make it well ahead. Once it sits longer, the lemon sugar flavors meld further and the taste gets even better.

What if I Don't Have Popsicle Molds?

Small paper cups with wooden craft sticks work just as well, since the paper peels right off once frozen, or you can try an ice cube tray with toothpicks for bite-size pops.

Why Did My Popsicles Turn Out Icy Instead of Smooth?

Icy texture usually means the sugar did not fully dissolve, so stir longer while the tea is still hot. Also strain through a fine mesh before pouring, because undissolved crystals create icy patches as the mix freezes.