Arnold Palmer Recipe

Steep the Tea

Bring 4 cups of water to a near boil (about 200°F / 93°C). Remove from heat and add 4 black tea bags. Steep for 4–5 minutes for a clear, flavorful iced tea. Avoid oversteeping to prevent bitterness.

Remove tea bags, squeezing gently against the side of the pot with a spoon to extract flavor (but not too hard to avoid bitterness). Stir in 2 tablespoons granulated sugar while the tea is still warm until dissolved.

Add 2 cups cold water to the brewed tea to cool it and adjust strength. Transfer to the refrigerator to chill until cold (at least 30 minutes). If you need it quickly, pour over a pitcher with a handful of ice to cool, then discard melted ice.

Make Simple Lemonade

In a measuring cup or small pitcher, combine 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons), 1.5 cups cold water, and 4 tablespoons granulated sugar. Stir vigorously until the sugar fully dissolves. Taste and adjust sweetness or water: add up to 2 more tablespoons sugar for sweeter lemonade or up to 0.5 cup more water for milder flavor.

Chill the lemonade briefly if desired, or use immediately to assemble the Arnold Palmer.

Fill two tall glasses with 2 ice cubes each (or to your preference).

Combine chilled tea and lemonade in a 1:1 ratio. For these quantities (yields about 6 cups total: 6 cups tea after diluting + lemonade), pour approximately equal parts into each glass. If making a single serving from these batches, mix 1/2 cup chilled tea with 1/2 cup lemonade per serving.

Stir gently to combine. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a mint sprig if desired. Serve immediately.

Refill note: To refill quickly, keep chilled tea and lemonade prepared separately in the refrigerator. When refilling a glass, pour equal parts of each over fresh ice and stir.