Brew the tea: Bring 4 cups of water just to a boil. Remove from heat. Add tea bags and steep for 4–5 minutes for black tea. Avoid over-steeping to prevent bitterness.

Sweeten the tea (optional): If you prefer lightly sweet tea, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of sugar or honey while the tea is warm. Let cool to room temperature, then chill in the fridge.

Make the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Warm over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cool completely.

Mix the lemonade: In a pitcher, combine 1 cup fresh lemon juice, 3/4 to 1 cup simple syrup, and 2 cups cold water. Stir and taste. Adjust sweetness or tartness to your liking.

Chill everything: Cold tea and cold lemonade make the best Arnold Palmer. Pop both into the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Combine in a 1:1 ratio: In a large pitcher or individual glasses, mix equal parts iced tea and lemonade. Stir gently. Taste and tweak—add more lemonade for brightness, more tea for a stronger backbone.

Serve over ice: Fill glasses with ice. Pour the Arnold Palmer over, and garnish with lemon slices and mint if you like.

Make it ahead: If serving later, keep the tea and lemonade separate and combine just before serving for the freshest flavor.