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Part iced tea, part lemonade, an Arnold Palmer is one of the most refreshing drinks you can pour on a warm day. This homemade version combines freshly brewed black tea with classic lemonade for the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and refreshing flavors.
Meggan’s Notes
Some drinks are greater than the sum of their parts, and the Arnold Palmer is one of them.
On their own, iced tea and lemonade are summer classics. Combined, they create a drink that’s bright, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. The tea tempers the lemonade’s sweetness, while the lemonade adds just enough citrus to keep every sip lively.
This version starts with homemade lemonade and freshly brewed tea, so the flavors stay clean and vibrant without relying on bottled mixes or concentrates.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfectly balanced: The combination of black tea and lemonade creates a refreshing sweet-tart flavor.
- Made from scratch: Fresh lemon juice and brewed tea provide the best flavor.
- Easy to customize: Adjust the sweetness or tea-to-lemonade ratio to suit your taste.
- Great for entertaining: A large pitcher is perfect for cookouts, picnics, and summer gatherings.
Arnold Palmer Ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
- Water: Filtered water is ideal if your tap water has a strong taste.
- Black tea bags: Any black tea works well. I love PG Tips, but use your favorite.
- Granulated sugar: Used to make a quick simple syrup that sweetens the lemonade evenly.
- Fresh lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the brightest flavor. Plan on about 4 to 6 lemons for 1 cup juice.
How to Make an Arnold Palmer
- To make the tea, in a medium pot over medium-high heat, bring water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Let steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and cool to room temperature.
- Prepare a batch of simple syrup by combining the sugar with ¾ cup of the water in a small saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Cool.
- In a pitcher, combine the tea, simple syrup, lemon juice, and remaining 3 ¼ cups water. Stir well and serve over ice.
Arnold Palmer Tips and Variations
- Yield: This recipe makes 10 cups of Arnold Palmer, enough for 10 (1-cup) servings.
- Make ahead: Brew the tea and prepare the lemonade a day in advance, then combine before serving.
- Less sweet Arnold Palmer: Reduce the sugar to ½ cup.
- Adjust the ratio: Traditional Arnold Palmers are often made with equal parts iced tea and lemonade, but you can increase either component to suit your taste.
- Meyer lemons: Use Meyer lemons for a sweeter, less tart version.
- Sparkling Arnold Palmer: Replace part of the water in the lemonade with sparkling water just before serving.
- Garnishes: Serve over ice with lemon slices, lemon wedges, or fresh mint sprigs.
How to Store an Arnold Palmer
- Refrigerator: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Stir before serving: Natural separation may occur during storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arnold Palmer was a professional golfer who popularized the drink made from equal parts iced tea and lemonade.
A traditional Arnold Palmer is typically made with equal parts iced tea and lemonade, though many people adjust the ratio to their preference.
Yes. The drink can be prepared up to 1 day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
Black tea is the traditional choice because its robust flavor balances the lemonade well.
Fresh lemon juice is recommended for the brightest flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch.
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Arnold Palmer
Ingredients
For the tea:
- 4 cups water
- 5 black tea bags
For the lemonade:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (see note 1)
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup lemon juice (from 4 to 6 lemons, see note 2)
Instructions
- To make the tea, in a medium pot over medium-high heat, bring water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Let steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and cool to room temperature.
- Prepare a batch of simple syrup by combining the sugar with ¾ cup of the water in a small saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Cool.
- In a pitcher, combine the tea, simple syrup, lemon juice, and remaining 3 ¼ cups water. Stir well and serve over ice.
Notes
- Sugar: For a less sweet Arnold Palmer, reduce the sugar to ½ cup.
- Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the best flavor. Depending on their size and juiciness, you’ll need about 4 to 6 lemons for 1 cup juice.
Nutrition
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