Sesame 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 equal parts sweet tea and fresh lemonade — it's the kind of refreshment that feels like summer in a sip. This version is made entirely from scratch, with real brewed black tea and a quick homemade simple syrup that keeps the lemonade perfectly balanced between tart and sweet. Every single ingredient here is straightforward and naturally free from sesame in any form, so there's no label-reading required and no hidden surprises lurking in a store-bought mix. Squeezing your own lemons makes a noticeable difference — the brightness is cleaner and more vibrant than anything that comes from a bottle. The simple syrup comes together in just a few minutes on the stovetop, and once everything is cooled and combined in a pitcher, you're ready to pour over ice and garnish with lemon slices or a sprig of fresh mint. It's an effortlessly crowd-pleasing drink that works just as well for a backyard gathering as it does for a quiet afternoon on the porch.

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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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