Sunjoy Drink Recipe: Make Chick-fil-A’s Refreshing Sweet Tea Lemonade at Home

Chick-fil-A fans know the Sunjoy drink recipe as the perfect balance of sweet tea and lemonade. This iconic drink combines the best of both worlds in one refreshing glass. You can make this beloved beverage at home with just a few simple ingredients.

The beauty of the Sunjoy lies in its simplicity. You need only tea, lemonade, ice, and a few minutes of your time. Home cooks love this Sunjoy drink recipe because it tastes just like the original without a trip to the drive-thru.

What Is a Sunjoy Drink?

A Sunjoy is a half-and-half mix of sweet tea and lemonade. Chick-fil-A trademarked this name in 2020 to describe their signature blend. The Sunjoy drink offers a sweet, tangy, and refreshing taste that quenches thirst on hot days.

Many people compare the Sunjoy to an Arnold Palmer. Both drinks mix tea and lemonade. The main difference is that a Sunjoy uses sweetened tea, while an Arnold Palmer traditionally uses unsweetened tea. This gives the Sunjoy a sweeter profile overall.

The drink typically contains around 30 grams of sugar per medium serving [Source: Chick-fil-A nutrition data]. That’s roughly the same as a regular soda. You can adjust the sweetness at home to fit your taste.

What Is Sunjoy at Chick-fil-A?

Chick-fil-A introduced the Sunjoy name in 2020, though customers had been ordering the combination for years. The fast-food chain combined two popular menu items into one official drink. The name “Sunjoy” blends “sunshine” and “enjoy” to create a cheerful brand.

The restaurant serves the Sunjoy in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Each size comes over ice in their signature cups. You can order a Sunjoy at any Chick-fil-A location across the United States.

Chick-fil-A makes their sweet tea fresh daily with premium tea leaves. They brew it strong and add sugar while it’s hot. Their lemonade is also made fresh with real lemons. This attention to quality makes the Sunjoy drink special.

The Story Behind the Sunjoy Name

The Sunjoy name came from customer feedback and internal creativity. Chick-fil-A employees noticed that many guests ordered “half sweet tea, half lemonade” at the counter. The chain decided to give this popular combo an official name.

The trademark protects the Sunjoy brand. Other restaurants can’t use this exact name. However, you can still make the drink at home and call it whatever you like.

How Does Sunjoy Compare to an Arnold Palmer?

The Arnold Palmer is the grandfather of tea-lemonade drinks. Professional golfer Arnold Palmer made this combination famous in the 1960s. He would order unsweetened iced tea mixed with lemonade at country clubs.

The key difference is sweetness. An Arnold Palmer uses unsweetened or lightly sweetened tea. A Sunjoy uses fully sweetened Southern-style sweet tea. This makes the Sunjoy noticeably sweeter.

The ratio also differs slightly. An Arnold Palmer often leans toward more tea than lemonade. A Sunjoy maintains a strict 50-50 balance. Both drinks serve the same purpose: a refreshing beverage that balances tea and citrus.

Some people prefer the Arnold Palmer for its lower sugar content. A typical Arnold Palmer contains about 15-20 grams of sugar per serving [Source: USDA]. The Sunjoy’s higher sweetness appeals to those who enjoy Southern sweet tea.

What Ingredients Do You Need for a Homemade Sunjoy?

The Sunjoy drink ingredients are remarkably simple. You need just four basic items to make this copycat Chick-fil-A Sunjoy recipe:

• Black tea bags (4-5 bags for a strong brew)
• Granulated sugar (1 cup for sweet tea)
• Fresh lemons or quality lemonade (2-3 cups)
• Ice cubes
• Water (4 cups for brewing tea)

Black tea forms the base of your sweet tea. Orange pekoe or English breakfast tea works best. Avoid flavored teas, as they change the classic taste.

Fresh lemon juice creates the best lemonade. You need about 6-8 lemons for homemade lemonade. Store-bought lemonade works in a pinch. Choose a brand that uses real lemon juice rather than artificial flavors.

Sugar is essential for authentic sweet tea. Southern sweet tea uses a lot of sugar. You can reduce the amount if you prefer less sweetness. Start with 3/4 cup and adjust from there.

How Can You Make a Chick-fil-A Style Sunjoy at Home?

Making a homemade Sunjoy takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Most of that time is brewing and cooling the tea. The actual hands-on work takes less than 10 minutes.

This Chick-fil-A Sunjoy recipe serves four people. You can easily double or triple the batch for parties. The drink stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Sunjoy Recipe Card

Yield: 4 servings

Prep time: 10 minutes

Brew time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water
• 4-5 black tea bags
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2-3 cups lemonade (store-bought or homemade)
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slices for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Brew Your Sweet Tea

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove the pan from heat once the water boils. Add your tea bags to the hot water. Let them steep for 5-7 minutes.

Longer steeping creates stronger tea. You want a bold tea flavor that won’t disappear when mixed with lemonade. Remove the tea bags after steeping. Squeeze them gently to extract extra flavor.

Add 1 cup of sugar to the hot tea. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Hot liquid dissolves sugar much better than cold liquid. This is why you add sugar immediately after brewing.

Let the sweet tea cool to room temperature. This takes about 20 minutes. You can speed up the process by placing the container in an ice bath. Transfer the cooled tea to your refrigerator.

Step 2: Mix the Tea and Lemonade

Pour equal parts sweet tea and lemonade into a large pitcher. Use 2 cups of each for a full batch. Stir the mixture gently to combine the Sunjoy ingredients.

Taste the blend at this point. You can adjust the ratio based on your preference. Some people like more tea, while others prefer extra lemonade. The standard 50-50 ratio works for most tastes.

Step 3: Serve Over Ice

Fill tall glasses with ice cubes. Pour the Sunjoy mixture over the ice. The drink should be cold and refreshing.

Garnish each glass with a lemon slice if desired. Fresh mint leaves also make a nice addition. Serve your Sunjoy drink immediately for the best taste and temperature.

What Are the Best Tips for Making the Perfect Sunjoy?

Several small details make a big difference in your final drink. These tips come from making countless batches of Sunjoy at home.

Use filtered water for brewing tea. Tap water can add unwanted flavors. Clean, neutral water lets the tea flavor shine through.

Brew your tea strong. The ice will dilute the drink as it melts. A robust tea flavor holds up better over time. Use 4-5 tea bags per 4 cups of water for optimal strength.

Add sugar while the tea is hot. Cold tea won’t dissolve sugar properly. You’ll end up with grainy sweetness at the bottom of your glass.

Chill everything before serving. Room temperature drinks don’t taste nearly as good. Cold ingredients mean your ice melts slower. This keeps your Sunjoy from getting watery too quickly.

Taste as you go. Different lemons have different sweetness levels. Store-bought lemonades vary by brand. Adjust your ratio to match your ingredients and personal taste.

Can You Make Variations of the Classic Sunjoy Recipe?

The basic Sunjoy drink recipe is just the starting point. You can customize this drink in many creative ways.

Diet Sunjoy (Sugar-Free Version)

Make unsweetened tea instead of sweet tea. Use sugar-free lemonade or add stevia to fresh lemon juice. This version has minimal calories and works well for people watching their sugar intake.

Health experts recommend limiting added sugars to less than 25 grams per day for women and 36 grams for men [Source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health]. A diet Sunjoy helps you enjoy the flavor without the sugar load.

Strawberry Sunjoy Variation

Add 1/2 cup of pureed strawberries to your pitcher. The fruit adds natural sweetness and a pretty pink color. Strawberry pairs beautifully with both tea and lemon flavors in this Sunjoy variation.

Muddle fresh strawberries in each glass before adding the mixture. This creates a more intense berry flavor. Top with a whole strawberry for a restaurant-quality presentation.

Peach Sunjoy Twist

Mix in 1/4 cup of peach puree or peach nectar. Peach and tea are classic Southern partners. The stone fruit adds depth without overwhelming the citrus notes.

You can also add a splash of peach syrup. Many coffee shops sell flavored syrups that work perfectly. Start with one tablespoon per glass and adjust to taste.

What Is the Nutrition Information for a Sunjoy Drink?

A standard medium Sunjoy from Chick-fil-A contains approximately 160-180 calories [Source: Chick-fil-A nutrition data]. Most of these calories come from sugar. The drink has no fat or protein.

Each serving provides about 30-35 grams of sugar. That’s roughly 7-8 teaspoons of sugar per glass. The Sunjoy also contains 15-20 milligrams of caffeine from the black tea [Source: USDA].

Caffeine content is relatively low compared to coffee. An 8-ounce cup of coffee has about 95 milligrams of caffeine. The drink won’t give you a strong energy boost, but you’ll notice a mild lift.

You can reduce calories by using less sugar in your sweet tea. Cut the sugar in half for a lighter version. Switch to sugar-free lemonade to save even more calories.

What Are the Best Ways to Serve Your Homemade Sunjoy?

The Sunjoy works well with many different foods. Its sweet and tart profile complements both savory and sweet dishes.

Serve it alongside grilled chicken sandwiches for a classic pairing. The acidity in the lemon cuts through rich, fatty foods. This makes the drink perfect with burgers and fried chicken.

The beverage also pairs well with summer salads. Try it with a crisp Caesar salad or a fresh garden salad with vinaigrette. The citrus notes echo many salad dressings.

Light desserts work beautifully with this refreshing drink. Serve it with fruit tarts, lemon bars, or vanilla ice cream. The tea provides a slightly bitter note that balances sweet treats.

Some people enjoy comparing different refreshing drinks. For instance, what is sunjoy drink at chick fil a on wasabi-mixer explores various beverage options. Other fun drinks to try include classic milkshakes. The best five guys milkshake options offer a completely different treat when you want something creamy and indulgent.

Where Can You Learn More About What Is Sunjoy Drink at Chick fil A?

Many food blogs and recipe sites now feature Sunjoy recipes. You can find variations and tips across the internet. Video tutorials on cooking channels show the process step by step.

Chick-fil-A’s official website provides nutrition information for their version. You can compare your homemade recipe to the restaurant standard. This helps you adjust your Sunjoy drink recipe to match the original more closely.

Local Chick-fil-A restaurants also answer questions about their drinks. Staff members can tell you about brewing methods and ingredient sources. Most employees are happy to share general information about how they prepare menu items.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sunjoy Drinks

Can you order a Sunjoy at any Chick-fil-A location?

Yes, every Chick-fil-A in the United States serves the Sunjoy. You can order it by name at the counter or through the drive-thru. The drink is also available through the Chick-fil-A mobile app. International locations may have different menu options, so check with your local restaurant.

Is Sunjoy caffeinated?

Yes, the Sunjoy contains caffeine from the black tea. A medium serving has about 15-20 milligrams of caffeine. This is much less than coffee but more than most lemonades. The caffeine level is similar to decaf coffee. You can make a caffeine-free version at home using herbal tea instead of black tea.

Can you make Sunjoy with unsweet tea?

You can make a drink with unsweetened tea, but it won’t taste like the Chick-fil-A Sunjoy. The result will be closer to an Arnold Palmer. Many people prefer this less sweet option. You can always add sugar to taste after mixing. Start with unsweetened tea and add sweetener gradually until you reach your preferred level.

What’s the best lemonade to use for homemade Sunjoy?

Fresh-squeezed lemonade creates the best flavor for your Sunjoy drink recipe. You get bright, natural citrus taste without artificial notes. If you’re short on time, Simply Lemonade or Minute Maid lemonade work well. Look for brands that list real lemon juice as the first ingredient. Avoid lemonades with high fructose corn syrup if possible. The flavor isn’t as clean.

Does Sunjoy pair well with other drinks like milkshakes?

The Sunjoy doesn’t typically get paired with milkshakes since both are beverages. You would drink one or the other with your meal. However, some people enjoy having one with their main course and saving a milkshake for dessert. The light, refreshing drink cleanses your palate before a rich, creamy shake. This combination works well at restaurants that serve both options.