Carrageenan Free Classic Arnold Palmer

Total time45 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

5.0

(29)

Few drinks are as satisfying as a tall, ice-cold glass of half iced tea, half lemonade — tart, refreshing, and somehow greater than the sum of its parts. The problem with store-bought versions is that many commercial beverages sneak in stabilizers and thickeners like carrageenan to extend shelf life, which means checking every label becomes a chore. This homemade version sidesteps all of that entirely, built from nothing but brewed black tea, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, a quick simple syrup, and water. Steeping the tea bags without squeezing them keeps the flavor clean and smooth, while the from-scratch lemonade brings a bright, natural tartness you just can't get from a bottle. Everything comes together in one pitcher, making it an effortless batch drink for a backyard gathering or a lazy afternoon on the porch. Garnish with lemon slices and a sprig of fresh mint for a presentation that looks far fancier than the effort involved.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the tea

4 cups water, divided
4 black tea bags

For the lemonade

½ cup granulated sugar
2 cup water
¾ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4–5 lemons)

For serving

ice, for serving
lemon slices, for serving (optional)
fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat, add the 4 tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags without squeezing them, then stir in the remaining 2 cups of cold water. Set aside to cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
2
While the tea cools, combine the sugar and 1/2 cup water in the saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved and the syrup is clear, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

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