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Best Arnold Palmer

45-MinutesAlcohol-FreeColdDiner-StyleDrinksKid-FriendlyPotluckStove-TopSweetVegetarian
Time :45 minutes
Yield :8 servings
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Fresh iced tea with lemon and mint, served in tall glasses with striped straws for a refreshing summer drink. Perfect for hot days or relaxing gatherings.

Recipe Background

This Arnold Palmer blends tea and lemonade with a twist of honey, making it a sweet reward for passing a driving test.
The summer I passed my driving test, I found myself behind the wheel of my dad's old sedan with a mind full of dreams and a heart full of teenage confidence. It was a day that deserved a special celebration, something refreshing to mark the moment. As I stood in the kitchen, I spotted a bowl piled high with lemons on the counter, a sunbeam catching their bright yellow skins. An idea sparked. I decided to make one of my favorite drinks: the Arnold Palmer.
Dad always swore by using just the right balance of simple syrup to lemon juice. I watched him countless times boil the water with just enough sugar for the perfect sweetness. I took his advice, and let the syrup cool, watching the sugar crystals disappear like magic. The aroma of fresh lemon juice filled the air, mingling with the floral notes of honey as I steeped the black tea. Using honey was a little twist I picked up from my grandmother's tales of the East Coast summers.
As the final step approached, the mingling of lemonade and tea in the pitcher, I couldn't help but feel a sense of achievement. The lemonade and tea mixed, turning a beautiful amber, and felt like the sweet reward of newfound freedom. I poured over ice, gave it a little garnish of mint, and squeezed a lemon wedge for a zestful touch. The taste was memories and milestones in a glass. Let your steeped tea cool to ensure those flavors stand strong, and use fresh mint for that extra breezy finish.

Ingredients

For the lemonade:

  • 3 cups water divided
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 large lemons juiced

For the tea:

  • 4 cups water
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 5 black tea bags
  • ice to taste
  • fresh mint optional, to taste, for garnish
  • lemon wedges optional, to taste, for garnish

Directions

  • In a small pot over medium heat, bring 1 cup of the water and the sugar to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Let it boil for 2 minutes.
  • Let the simple syrup cool to room temperature.
  • Combine the simple syrup, 2 cups of the water, and the lemon juice.
  • In a medium pot over medium-high heat, add the remaining water and bring it to a boil.
  • Add the honey and stir to dissolve.
  • Turn off the heat and add the tea bags.
  • Let the tea bags steep for 5 minutes.
  • Let the tea cool to room temperature.
  • In a large pitcher, combine the lemonade and the tea.
  • Fill serving glasses with the ice.
  • Pour the Arnold Palmers into the glasses.
  • Garnish with the mint and the lemon wedges.
  • Serve.
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