Classic Sunset Palmer Iced Tea

The official Iced Tea Season - Summer - is going to start a month from now but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy sipping your favorite thirst-quenching beverage on a daily basis. This mouthwatering, healthy drink keeps you hydrated no matter what you’re doing at home. 

You can leisurely sip a tall glass of this cooling, flavorful beverage while enjoying a siesta on the porch, in between Zoom meetings, or after doing household chores. Whether it’s classic iced tea or iced tea with a twist, there’s no denying that this refreshment is a crowd’s favorite. There are numerous easy and versatile homemade iced tea recipes available.

Today, we’re introducing the Classic Sunset Palmer Iced Tea recipe. This gentler version is derived from the classic Arnold Palmer, a non-alcoholic drink made popular in the 1960s by Arnold Palmer, a legendary golfer. 

When did the classic Palmer iced tea recipe start? The tale began when Winnie, Palmer’s wife, was making a batch of iced tea for lunch at home and Arnold suggested adding some lemonade. Hence, the name is derived from the well-known player. This eponymous recipe mix of classic iced tea and lemonade has evolved over the years. 

Check out the Classic Sunset Palmer Iced Tea recipe below and create your own sweet tea beverage that features lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon balm, and lemon zest.

Ingredients:

• 2 stalks fresh lemongrass
• ½ cup fresh verbena leaves, plus a few more for the glasses
• ½ cup fresh lemon balm leaves
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ⅛ teaspoon TEAki Hut Instant Black Tea Powder 
• Water

Preparation:

1. Mix ⅛ teaspoon of Black Tea Powder with 1 cup of hot water. Stir until dissolved. Set aside and let it cool. 
2. Trim the ends of the lemongrass stalks, peel off a couple of the tough outer layers, and chop the core. Use a good sharp heavy knife to slice cleanly through the core—it's usually still kind of tough.
3. Put the chopped lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon balm, and lemon zest in a heatproof bowl—preferably one you can pour from easily. Pour 2 cups boiling water over the herbs and zest.
4. Let the herbs steep for about 20 minutes (the fragrance will be heavenly). Pour the liquid through a strainer into a pitcher or spouted measuring cup, then stir in the sugar—about a tablespoon, or more if you like.
5. Pour the liquid into 2 ice-filled glasses. Top each with about ½ cup black tea and put a sprig of lemon verbena in each—its fragrance will add to the pleasure of your sipping.

Makes 2 glasses.

Enjoy this easy-to-prepare refreshing drink with a pleasant citrus flavor. It’s surely gonna be a summertime favorite.