On a hot summer day, there’s nothing like a refreshing glass of Iced Tea Lemonade. Regular black tea meets homemade lemonade for a classic Southern drink that will carry you through those brutal summer months. Also referred to as an “Arnold Palmer” this drink has something for everyone.
Homemade Lemonade Iced Tea Recipe
When the temperatures start creeping up, I know it’s time to whip out my favorite Southern drink recipes. I’m a sucker for an ice cold glass of Sweet Tea, but sometimes, I want something a little tangier. That’s where this Iced Tea Lemonade comes in handy. It’s not as sweet as sweet tea so to me it’s more refreshing.
An Iced Tea Lemonade, also known as an “Arnold Palmer” is a timeless drink that combines the bold, refreshing flavor of tea with the bright, zesty punch of homemade lemonade.
Named after the famous golfer, the Arnold Palmer has become a staple in many places, especially where I live in Pinehurst, (a golf community in North Carolina) where it’s so popular that they have it pre-made in pitchers in the restaurants. You can also find it at Starbucks, it’s called a black tea lemonade.
While the drink has gained popularity in other regions thanks to the addition of alcohol, around here, we enjoy it with sweet lemonade and unsweetened iced tea. Of course there’s no harm in making it into a cocktail with a little vodka.
The perfect combination of lemonade and unsweet iced tea forms a tart, refreshing drink. This drink is more than just a thirst-quencher—it’s a slice of tradition, perfect for summer gatherings, afternoon pick-me-ups, or simply enjoying on the patio.
Quite a few people in my neck of the woods will order ice tea lemonade with sweet tea and if you love your tea sweet, then use this sweet tea recipe in place of the unsweet tea. I think the lemonade adds just enough sweetness.
Why This Drink Is A Hit
- Simple: You only need a few ingredients to whip up this simple recipe.
- Refreshing: Tart and sweet lemonade combined with unsweet black tea produce a refreshing beverage to keep you cool during the sweltering heat.
- Classic: Drinking an Arnold Palmer is as southern as it gets! The classic combination of tea and lemonade will bring a little tradition and refreshment to any occasion.
What’s In An Iced Tea Lemonade Recipe?
- Iced Tea: You’ll need family-sized unsweetened black tea bags and water to create the tea base.
- Lemonade: My homemade lemonade recipe combines fresh lemon juice with simple syrup to create a zesty, refreshing drink.
Can I Use Store-Bought Lemonade?
Yes. Although I prefer the taste of homemade lemonade, but you can use store-bought lemonade if you like.
Making Iced Tea Lemonade Is A Breeze
Step One: Make Some Iced Tea
Steep the tea and let it cool.
Step Two: Make The Lemonade
Make the simple syrup in the microwave. Then, squeeze the lemons and strain the seeds. Finally, add the simple syrup to the lemon juice and add water. Stir to combine.
Step Three: Combine And Serve
Fill a glass half full of tea and half lemonade.
You can also mix up a pitcher, with 1/2 tea and 1/2 lemonade.
Mix It Up
- Add a little more or less lemonade to get your desired sweetness and tartness.
- If you plan on serving this beverage for a large crowd, leave both pitchers of iced tea and lemonade out along with cups and ice so guests can serve themselves.
- Instead of regular ice cubes, make lemonade ice cubes by freezing the lemonade in ice cube trays. Add the lemonade cubes to the black iced tea so it becomes infused with cold lemonade.
- Garnish with a few lemon slices in case you want to squeeze a little lemon into your drink.
Storing An Arnold Palmer
No one likes a room temperature iced tea lemonade. I suggest keeping the tea and lemonade in the fridge until ready to make your drink. They will last about 3 days in the fridge
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Ingredients
Iced Tea
- 4 family size tea bags
- 8 cups of water
Lemonade
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 6 cups water
Instructions
Tea
- Heat 4 cups of water until it just starts to boil. Remove from heat and immediately add the teabags. Let it steep for 20 minutes then remove the tea bags. Let it cool to room temperature then add the remaining 4 cups of water. Chill until ready to use.
Lemonade
- In a microwave safe bowl, microwave 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water for 4-6 minutes until the water is boiling and the sugar has dissolved. Stir to make sure the sugar is completely dissolved. Let cool while you squeeze the lemons.
- Squeeze lemons and strain to remove pulp and seeds. Add to a pitcher and combine with the sugar mixture. Add 5 cups of water and stir to combine. Refrigerate until cold.
- Fill a glass half full with tea, then fill the glass with lemonade.
Notes
- If you want this sweeter, use sweet tea instead of unsweet.
