Homemade Arnold Palmer
A homemade Arnold Palmer just may be one of the most refreshing drinks ever created, and this recipe takes it to a whole new level. Instead of combining bottled lemonade with premade iced tea, it all comes together in a single recipe that blends the flavors of fresh squeezed lemonade and home brewed iced tea into a beverage with a brighter, fresher flavor that simply can’t be matched.
Arnold knows refreshing beverages
I’ve been squeezing lemons and brewing tea to make refreshing homemade drinks since I was a teenager. The Arnold Palmer originated in 1960, and I didn’t discover it until my mid-20s (around 1990), so I was a little late to the game. Once I took my first sip though, it was game on. I’ve been making this classic drink in my own kitchen ever since, because once you taste an Arnold Palmer made entirely from scratch, it’s hard to go back to the bottled versions.
Whether you’re relaxing on the porch, hosting a backyard barbecue, or looking for the perfect beverage to cool off on a hot summer afternoon, this drink is always a great choice. The bold, smooth tea and vibrant citrus balance each other beautifully, creating a drink that’s refreshing, incredibly satisfying and always sweetened just the way you like it.
If you enjoy refreshing homemade summer drinks, be sure to try my bubbly blueberry lemonade and old fashioned orangeade drink next.
Recipe ingredients
- Lemons: Choose fresh, heavy lemons with smooth, brightly colored skin. They contain more juice than lemons that feel light for their size, and freshly squeezed juice gives this drink the bright, clean citrus flavor that bottled juice simply can’t match.
- Tea Bags: Use your favorite unflavored black tea. Since tea makes up half of the drink, its flavor comes through clearly, so choose a brand you already enjoy drinking on its own.
- Water: Brew your tea with the best water available. Tap water is perfectly fine in most areas, but if yours has a noticeable chlorine taste or other treatment flavors, use spring water instead to keep the tea tasting clean and smooth.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is the traditional sweetener for an Arnold Palmer and gives it the classic flavor most people expect. If you prefer a more floral sweetness, honey is an excellent substitute that pairs beautifully with both the tea and fresh lemon juice.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make a homemade Arnold Palmer
Step 1: Add 4 cups of the water and the sugar to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, just until the sugar has completely dissolved. Do not allow the mixture to simmer or boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
Step 2: Add the tea bags to the hot sugar water, making sure they are fully submerged. Let the tea steep as the mixture cools to room temperature. This slow steeping extracts plenty of flavor while helping to prevent bitterness.
Step 3: Once the tea has cooled, gently wring the liquid from the tea bags back into the saucepan before discarding them. This recovers the flavorful tea trapped in the bags without noticeably increasing bitterness.
Step 4: Pour the tea mixture into a large pitcher. Add the remaining water and the fresh squeezed lemon juice, then stir well until everything is thoroughly combined.
Step 5: Fill glasses with ice and pour the beverage blend over the top. Garnish with a lemon slice, if desired, and serve.
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Top tips
- Stir Before Pouring: If the Arnold Palmer has been sitting for a while, give it a quick stir before serving to ensure the lemon juice and tea are evenly distributed throughout the pitcher.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the Arnold Palmer until thoroughly chilled before pouring it over ice. Starting with a cold drink keeps the ice from melting as quickly and prevents the flavor from becoming diluted.
- Serve in Chilled Glasses: Refrigerating the glasses for 15 to 20 minutes before serving helps keep the drink colder longer without relying on extra ice.
- Substitute Honey: You can substitute 3/4 cup of mild-flavored honey in place of the sugar in this recipe if you prefer.
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If you loved this cold beverage recipe, give these other great beverage recipes a try too!
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Homemade Arnold Palmer
Ingredients
- 7 cups water separated
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 tea bags
- 1/2 cup lemon juice fresh squeezed
- ice for serving
Instructions
- Heat 4 cups of the water and the sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved. Do not simmer or boil. Remove from the heat.
- Add the tea bags to the hot sugar water. Let steep until the mixture cools to room temperature.
- Wring the tea bags into the tea, then discard them.
- Pour the tea mixture into a large pitcher. Stir in the remaining water and the fresh squeezed lemon juice until well combined.
- Serve over ice.
Notes
- If your tap water has a noticeable chlorine taste or other treatment flavors, use spring water for the cleanest flavor.
- Fresh squeezed lemon juice is recommended for the brightest, freshest tasting Arnold Palmer.
- Honey can be substituted for the granulated sugar if you prefer a different style of sweetness.
- Refrigerate leftovers in a covered pitcher for up to 5 days. Stir before serving if the drink has been sitting.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
