Refreshing Arnold Palmer

I fell in love with the refreshing Arnold Palmer on vacation two summers ago in Charleston, South Carolina. Long hot days in the Southern sun required afternoon cool-offs, & in every bar & restaurant we visited this thirst-quenching combination of sweet tea & tart lemonade was a favorite feature.

I’ve always wanted to recreate it for myself but equally, I was worried I would ruin the beautiful memories from that trip. Some things just taste better in a different time & place, right?

This summer I decided to give it a go & I’m delighted to share the recipe below. It’s not quite the same as relaxing in a rocking chair on a classic Southern porch, refreshing Arnold Palmer in hand… but it comes pretty close! Cheers to the last weekend of the season, friends!

Refreshing Arnold Palmer

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 2 minutes
Serves: 6-8 glasses

*To make your own simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar & water in a heavy-bottomed pan & gently heat on the stovetop until the sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool & refrigerate for up to one month.

ingredients

For the tea:

• 6 English breakfast tea bags

• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 cup sugar

For the lemonade:

• 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (approximately 8-10 lemons)

• 3/4 cups simple syrup*

instructions

For the tea:

1. In a measuring jug large enough to hold up to 8 cups of liquid, dissolve the baking soda in two cups of boiling water.

2. Add the tea bags & steep for 15 minutes. Do not stir, simply leave them to impart flavor on their own.

3. Gently remove the tea bags & then add the sugar, stir to dissolve.

4. Add 6 cups of cold water to the hot tea & refrigerate until chilled.

For the lemonade:

1. In a measuring jug large enough to hold up to 6 cups of liquid, juice the lemons until you have 1 1/2 cups of juice.

2. Add 4 cups of cold water & stir to combine.

3. Gently pour the simple syrup into the lemonade & stir, pausing at intervals to test for desired tartness/sweetness.

4. Cover & refrigerate until chilled.

For the Arnold Palmers:

1. Fill tall glasses with cubed ice.

2. Pour chilled lemonade over the ice until the glass is 3/4 full.

3. Finish by gently pouring the chilled sweet tea over the ice to create a two-toned chilled drink.

4. Serve with a slice of lemon & straws, cheers!