Ginger-Tea Lemonade
Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous here in Pittsburgh. The temperature hovered in the upper-60’s all day, the sun was warm like your favorite blanket, and there was a wispy breeze that shot through the trees every so often. A perfect spring day that gave off a hint of summer, just waiting in the wings to bloom completely. It was the type of day that made me wish I had a house in the country with a wrap-around porch (or a house on the beach, with a patio or balcony overlooking the ocean), a big comfortable chair to sit in, a warm afternoon breeze, a favorite book, and some sort of ice cold, refreshing drink. That was my daydream. And this is my daydream drink.
Most people recognize the typical half-lemonade, half-iced tea drink as an “Arnold Palmer” – a drink popularized by its namesake, the golfer Arnold Palmer. Truth be told, I can usually take or leave both lemonade and iced tea. I like them well enough, but never crave them. However, black tea with fresh lemon juice, a ginger-spiked simple syrup and the refreshing bubbly of sparkling water sounded like summer perfection to me. And boy was I right. It’s definitely the drink I will make to celebrate my dream house in the country or on the beach!
Black tea, lemons, ginger and bubbles now seem like the most obvious combination of ingredients. Garnish with a little mint if you’d like and I think you’re set for summer. I know I am.
Two years ago: Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte
Three years ago: Homemade Marshmallows
Ginger-Tea Lemonade
Ingredients
For the Ginger Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (250 ml) water
- 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
For the Lemonade:
- 2 cups (500 ml) water
- 3 black tea bags, preferably English breakfast tea
- 1-1/3 cups (112.33 g) Ginger Simple Syrup, recipe follows
- â…” cup (162.67 ml) fresh lemon juice, from 3 to 4 lemons
- 1 cup (474 ml) sparkling water or club soda, chilled
- 2 cups (28 g) ice
- Lemon slices, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- 1. Make the Ginger Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, over medium heat, combine the sugar, water and ginger. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes. Strain before using.
- 2. In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil over high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and add the tea bags. Stir and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Remove the tea bags and discard. Add the Ginger Simple Syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water.
- 3. Put the ice in a large pitcher. Pour the lemonade mixture over the ice. Garnish with lemon slices and serve.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
We have a bunch of lemons in the fridge and we aren’t using them up, so I broached the idea of a fancy drink for tomorrow’s supper. I just made the simple syrup and brewed the tea  I just have to squeeze the lemons and hubby needs to buy some sparkling water.Â
I will definitely try this recipe! Thank you so much for sharing!
This sounds delicious, I love lemon and ginger and this is perfect and refreshing for summer.
How does lavender lemonade sound? That’s what I’ve been drinking. I did a search for “lavender” at your site and came up with nothing so far, so maybe I’ll send the recipe. =)
Yours looks lovely! I’m not fond of the way ginger bites the back of my throat, but I may try it someday anyway.
Oooh that sounds lovely! I don’t have any lavender recipes, so feel free to pass along any that you think I’d like!
Well, summer’s over, and I got WAY behind on my email (and my life!), but here’s the recipe at last…
Lavender Lemonade
Boil 3 tablespoons of lavender in 2 cups of water for about 5 minutes. Cool and pour through a strainer. Add the lavender water to 1 quart lemonade. Pour over ice. Garnish with lemon slices and lavender blossoms. (The lemonade may be made with 3 cups water, 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup sugar. Adjust to taste.)
The fun thing about this recipe is the way the lemonade turns pink as you add the lavender water (which is not pink) to it. It’s like a magic trick! =)
I found high quality, inexpensive lavender suitable for culinary use at Atlantic Spice…their Lavender #1 is only $6 for 8 oz. and that’s a lot of lavender!
I make a lemonade from scratch that I found in a Bon Appetit booklet many years ago that is similar to the syrup part of your recipe. You make a Ginger-Mint Syrup, mix it with lemon juice and water and ice and ta-da – lemonade. I have adapted it over the years and sometimes I make it with Meyer Lemon juice when I find the lemons at Costco, sometimes with plain organic lemons from the supermarket, sometimes I mix it with Crystal Light Iced Tea, or homemade Iced Tea or Chai Tea, depends on the mood. This looks really good.
I am a huge fan of ginger tea…. I have it every day… great alt for summer…. Will definitely have to try this!!
Great work. The ginger simple syrup is a perfect addition. I could use that for some other cocktails as well. A perfect drink for a perfect day. Thanks.
Well that looks absolutely delicious. I drink nothing but iced tea all summer so this is an interesting variation to spice things up a little. Plus, your photo makes it that more appealing!
This is on my must-make list for sure! ♥
Wow, this sounds amazing!! I’m going to have to try it…totally obsessed with ginger.
What a perfect summer drink :) This looks refreshing and delicious!
Definitely a taste of the summer! Have you ever tried iced tea, like the ones Lipton make? I think that’s like the Arnold Palmer you were talking about, although I’ve never tried that. Maybe they’re the same thing, they sound quite similar :)
I have never tried the Lipton iced tea mixes, but an “Arnold Palmer” is traditionally just half lemonade and half iced tea, no matter the brand.
I can’t wait to try this. We’re dying in the middle of a mid-90s heat wave and I’m desperate for a cool and refreshing (and tasty!) drink. Thank you so much for sharing!
I can’t say that I like black tea nor am I a huge fan of lemonade but I am most definitely intrigued by this recipe since I love ginger. I hope it really stands out!
This looks delicious! I love the fresh ginger too. Yum!
We have been drinking home-brewed iced tea by the gallon lately! I usually add in lemon or orange slices but now I definitely want to add in some sparkling water as well! Yum!
This looks ah-mazing. Very refreshing. Supposed to be beautiful in my neck of the woods tomorrow, so I may make myself a jug of this tea and enjoy all the flowers I planted last weekend!
Oooh this is perfect for a baby shower I’m hosting in a month. I’ll make a non alcoholic one for the mama though. :)
Hi Lindsey, This would be perfect for a shower! You don’t need to adapt it though – there is no alcohol in the recipe :)
I love making drinks and you don’t see them enough on food blogs. That color is great! Looks delicious and refreshing.
Beautiful! What a fun drink for summer :)
This recipe looks so good, and so easy to make. Thanks for sharing.
Brown Eyed, you get me every time I stop by…what a grogeous looking beverage! I loved your descriptive of yesterday’s Pittsburgh weather – California has been spoiling us too, but nonetheless, this cool drink is on my list for the hot days chomping at the bit. Best, Brooks
Looks so delicious and refreshing! Your pictures are beautiful as well!
Pretty pictures! Sounds great. I just bought two bags of lemons. Had planned on making lemonade but I just might give this a try :)
Hello perfect summer recipe!! The warm weather has yet to make it’s way to Chicago but I am ready and waiting for it!! :) This will be the perfect beverage to kick off the first day of nice weather….I’ll keep you posted if it ever comes! haha
This sounds so good! I love ginger and lemon together. I can’t wait for summer to get here, so I can have this drink on hand.
What a delicious drink. I love the idea of using fresh ginger. I’ll definitely be making this once it gets warmer here in Chicago. Fingers crossed that it happens soon!
yum this loooks good. I love the lemonade and tea combination on warm days.
This looks like a delicious and refreshing summer drink!
What a delicious and unique beverage! Looks yum.
Gorgeous photos!
This looks great – perfect for the warmer months! Thanks for sharing!
So refreshing! The combination of lemon and ginger is almost medicinal and so tasty
This is such a wonderful idea! I love ginger, and think pairing it with lemonade would be splendid!