MSG Free Classic Arnold Palmer

Total time45 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

5.0

(29)

Few drinks are as refreshing as this half-and-half blend of iced tea and homemade lemonade, especially on a hot afternoon when you need something cold and satisfying. The beauty of making it from scratch is that every single ingredient is completely transparent — black tea bags, fresh lemons, sugar, and water, nothing more. Store-bought versions and powdered drink mixes are notorious for sneaking in flavor enhancers and additives, so brewing your own is the cleanest way to enjoy this classic without any guesswork. Steeping the tea gently and building a quick simple syrup gives the drink a smooth, balanced base that tastes far better than anything from a bottle. The fresh-squeezed lemon juice is the real star here, bringing a bright tartness that you just can't fake. Poured over ice with a sprig of mint and a lemon slice, it looks as good as it tastes and comes together with almost no effort.

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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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