Quickest way to cool down is with Arnold Palmer Ice Pops! Hot summer days call for refreshing popsicles.

These half lemonade- half iced tea popsicles are perfect for cooling off after tending to the yard, playing with the kids or just kicking your feet up! You can even add booze to your Arnold Palmer ice pops or leave them as is for a family friendly version.

I make popsicles for the kids on a daily basis. I don’t mind as they are usually made with fresh fruits and yogurt. Sometimes though, I just want a popsicle that better suits my tastes! Glad to report that the kids don’t mind these one bit.

Round up your popsicle supplies

• Fresh brewed black tea
• Fresh lemon (If you’d like slices in your popsicle)
• Water
• Lemon juice
• Sugar or sweetener
• Popsicle molds
• mixing cup
• spoon

Black tea

For a typical 6 ice pop tray, a cup of fresh brewed black tea is usually enough. Brew as strong as you like. When I share with the kiddos I like to brew it on the weaker side.

Add sweetener of your choice to taste.

Lemon

If you’re adding sliced lemon to your ice pops – be sure that it is washed, and sliced as thin as you can get it. Cut enough slices to add one or two per popsicle. Remove seeds and discard. If your lemons are too wide to fit in your molds feel free to half or quarter them. 

If you would like to remove a bit of the rind’s bitterness, Place slices in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let them soak for 20 min and drain, discarding the liquid.

I usually don’t soak my lemons as I enjoy the flavor. If you’re not sure how you feel about it just start by adding only a couple pieces that have been thinly sliced and quartered. Oooh! look at you living on the edge! 😉

Lemonade

Water – Depending on the amount of popsicles you will be making, just guesstimate how much you will need. If you make extra lemonade you get a refreshing beverage when you are done!

Lemon juice – Fresh is best with a much brighter flavor, but if you are short on lemons you can substitute bottled lemon juice.

Sugar or sweetener – I Prefer half sugar and half honey. If you need these treats to have no added sugar than by all means substitute your favorite sweetener! Hello keto.

Mix to your own taste! Everyone has a preference as to a perfect lemonade. A popular mix is 6 Tablespoons each of white sugar and lemon juice, mixed in 2 cups of water. I like my lemonade lighter and not so sweet so I always add more water until it suits my taste.

Popsicle molds

There are tons to choose from. Some with cute shapes, some that require wooden popsicle sticks. I love the look of wooden popsicle sticks but since they are not reusable it makes me feel bad to go through so many! All are fun but I believe the best ones are the ones you have on hand. Make some out of plastic cups if you need to!

Alcoholic ice pops

Should you decide to make these with vodka just remember that spirits do not freeze the same way as other liquids. Too much booze and your ice pops will not freeze properly. Add only a quarter cup (1/4 cup) of vodka to the mix. If you’d really like to catch a buzz you can either eat more ice pops OR use virgin versions as “ice cubes” in your boozy Arnold Palmer cocktail! Now that’s a garnish!

Please don’t make both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions at the same time, we’d hate for the kiddos to get into the wrong stash! If you do, be sure the mold are completely different. My kids are crazies already, they don’t need to be drunks too.

Mixing cup

Use a container with a pour spout to mix your lemonade in so it’s easier to pour into your molds.

Popsicle assembly

Simply drop a slice or two of your lemon into each mold. Fill a little more than halfway with lemonade and then top with tea. I like to pour it slowly to try and get a layered effect. Doesn’t always work but they taste great either way! Place in the freezer for about 5 hours. Possibly a bit longer for alcoholic versions.

When you’re ready to enjoy your icy treat run the popsicle mold under cool tap water for a few seconds to release the popsicle. Cool water seemingly works just as fast as hot water and doesn’t make for a melty popsicle from the start. Did you make Arnold Palmer ice pops? I wanna see! Tag @lubba.food.garden on Instagram. Use the hashtag #ILubbaFood If you Love food as much as I do. XO Myra

Are you a huge lemon fan? Check out my lemon chia seed sugar cookie recipe! They are almost too good… at least they have healthy chia seeds!