Earl Grey Lemonade

Cool, citrusy, and lightly floral, honey-sweetened Earl Grey Lemonade is an easy drink to enjoy on sunny summer days. It blends bergamot orange–infused black tea with the brightness of fresh lemon juice, with just the right amount of sweetness that’s both soothing and refreshing.

When the weather warms up, I always keep a pitcher of iced tea in the refrigerator. This summer, I’m switching it up with a pitcher of this Earl Grey Lemonade—which has been a popular drink here since 2017.

Ingredients

• Earl Grey tea bags
• Fresh lemon juice
• Honey
• Lemon slices
• Orange slices
• Fresh mint 

Warm-weather mocktails are more popular than ever, and I’ve been adding plenty to my recipe list. Have you tried my Mango Coconut Mocktail? This one is also a must-try! Fresh lemonade remains one of the most popular drinks—especially with modern twists like this, and my Ginger Mint Lemonade.

Similar to an Arnold Palmer Iced Tea

Are you familiar with an Arnold Palmer iced tea (regular black tea and lemonade)? I put a British twist on this American classic drink by using Earl Grey tea.

What is Earl Grey Tea?

Earl Grey tea has been around since the 1830s, and I crave it first whenever I’m back in England. Earl Grey has floral and orange flavors, making it the perfect match for tart lemonade.

Serving Earl Grey Lemonade

Simply pour it over ice cubes in a tall glass. For an extra summery touch, garnish with lemon and orange slices and a mint leaves.

Honey vs Sugar

Honey is better than sugar for iced tea because it dissolves more easily in cold liquids, adds a natural floral sweetness, and brings extra depth of flavor. Stir in as much or as little as you like to your taste.

If you don’t like honey, simple syrup is a great alternative sweetener for cold drinks because it dissolves easily—unlike granulated sugar, where sugar dissolves slowly in cold liquids.

How to Make Earl Grey Lemonade and tips for the best iced tea

Here’s how you can make your own perfect Earl Grey lemonade at home—plus some tips to keep your iced tea perfect.

• Use fresh, high-quality tea – Choose loose leaf tea or good-quality tea bags. Fresh tea delivers brighter, more vibrant flavors.
• Use a heatproof jug or teapot to brew the tea. Most pitchers are not heatproof.
• Use about the right water to tea ratio – 1 cup (236 ml) of water per bag (4 cups/1 liter of hot water for this recipe). This amount gives you a nice, balanced strength. If you want a stronger brew (especially for iced tea), you can use slightly less water—around 6 ounces per tea bag.
• Don’t let tea steep too long – Steep the tea for about 2-4 minutes to avoid bitterness. Oversteeping can make the tea taste harsh.
• Sweeten while warm – Add honey or simple syrup while the tea is still warm so it dissolves completely. Avoid granulated sugar—it can take longer to dissolve in cold drinks.
• Use fresh lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds the best bright, tart flavor. Store-bought works in a pinch but can taste artificial.
• Chill before serving – Let your tea cool down in the fridge before mixing with lemonade and ice. This prevents your drink from getting watered down too fast.
• Serve over ice – Ice keeps your drink refreshing and cool but don’t add so much that it dilutes the flavors.
• Add a twist – Try adding fresh herbs like mint or a slice of orange for a fun flavor boost.

Spiked Lemonade

This lemonade is perfect for long summer days and can easily transition into the evening. Just add a splash of vodka, gin, or tequila if you’d like to spike it—completely optional, but always fun.

If you’ve made my Earl Grey Lemonade, please leave a star rating in the recipe card. You can also leave a comment or ask a question below.

You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER (X), INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see daily recipe updates.