Once you make this lemonade iced tea at home, ordering it somewhere else is never going to feel the same. Fresh lemon juice and real brewed tea make more of a difference than you would expect, and once everything comes together in one pitcher, it is almost too easy to keep making.
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I think of it as a more lemon-forward take on an Arnold Palmer. I made it for the first time after finding a really good deal on lemons at the farmer's market. I already had my homemade lemonade on rotation, but I wanted to do something a little different with the haul, and this felt like the right move. It was so easy to make that it's now just as much a staple as my homemade lemonade.
The fresh lemon juice hits first, bright and tart, then the black tea comes through underneath and keeps it from tasting like straight lemonade. The sugar balances everything out without making it feel heavy, and once the ice starts to melt, it gets even smoother.
If you are already a lemonade person, the strawberry lemonade and pomegranate lemonade are both worth having in your rotation too. And if you love classic bar-style drinks made at home, the Roy Rogers is another one that hits the same way.
Ingredients
The black tea is what gives this drink its classic iced tea flavor. Regular black tea bags work best because they have a bold enough flavor to stand up to the lemonade, but you can use decaf if you prefer.
Fresh lemon juice makes a noticeable difference here, giving the drink a brighter, cleaner flavor than bottled juice.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Top Tips for Lemonade Iced Tea
Chill your ingredients first: Using cold tea, water, and lemon juice keeps the ice from melting as quickly, so the flavor stays stronger.
Make it ahead of time: A few hours in the fridge gives the tea and lemon time to blend together for a smoother flavor.
Double the recipe for gatherings: It scales well and is an easy make-ahead drink for cookouts, picnics, and summer parties.
How to Make Lemonade Iced Tea?
This lemonade iced tea comes together in just a few simple steps. Brewing the tea first and dissolving the sugar into a quick simple syrup gives you a smooth drink with balanced sweetness and plenty of fresh lemon flavor.
Brew the tea
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, remove it from the heat, then add the tea bags and steep for 10 minutes.
- Do not steep much longer than 10 minutes, or the tea can turn bitter.
Make the simple syrup
Combine 1 cup of water and the sugar in a large microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl, then microwave in 30-second intervals until dissolved.
- Stir after each interval so the sugar dissolves evenly.
- The syrup should look clear, with no sugar settling at the bottom.
Combine everything
Pour the cooled tea and simple syrup into a large pitcher, then add the lemon juice, remaining 2 cups of water, and ice.
- The drink should taste balanced, not overly sharp or too sweet.
- If the lemon flavor tastes too strong, add a little more cold water to soften it.
Serve
Pour the lemonade iced tea into glasses filled with ice.
Yes. Green tea makes a lighter, more delicate version with a milder flavor. Just steep it for less time than black tea so it doesn't become bitter.
You can, but homemade lemonade gives the drink a brighter, fresher flavor and lets you control the sweetness.
Yes. Honey works well, though it gives the drink a slightly different flavor. Stir it into the warm tea so it dissolves completely.
Serve it over large ice cubes or freeze some of the lemonade iced tea into ice cubes to chill the drink without diluting the flavor.
An Arnold Palmer is traditionally made with equal parts lemonade and iced tea. This recipe uses more lemonade than tea, making it brighter, more citrus-forward, while still keeping enough black tea to balance the sweetness.
Lemonade Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 4 black tea bags
- 5 cups water divided
- 1 ½ cups lemon juice
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2-3 cups ice
Instructions
- Start by boiling 2 cups of water, then remove from the heat, add in the tea bags and steep for 10 minutes.
- While the tea is steeping, add 1 cup of water and the sugar for a microwaveable glass and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring each time, until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 ½ - 2 minutes.
- Once the simple syrup, the sugar and water, and the tea are done, let cool, then add both liquids to your pitcher, along with the lemon juice, the rest of the water, and ice cubes. Stir well.
- Pour over ice and garnish as desired before enjoying!
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