Arnold Palmer Drink

May 17, 2023 by Beth Pierce 40 Comments

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This classic Arnold Palmer Drink is a refreshing combination of unsweetened iced tea and homemade lemonade. It is one of my favorite summer beverages, and it is perfect for pool parties, patio and deck parties, and picnics. You don’t have to be on the golf course to enjoy this refreshing beverage. So grab a glass, pull up a chair, and let’s reminisce for a while.

Hubby and I love to have an assortment of quick and easy summer drink recipes on hand for when friends drop by. This recipe, fresh peach tea, blueberry lemonade, and strawberry lemonade, are just a few of our favorites. I like to prepare this refreshment with fresh squeezed lemonade, but summer is full of activities, so feel free to use already prepared bottled lemonade or frozen concentrate.

How to Make an Arnold Palmer Drink

Start by brewing some fresh tea. Let it cool for a little bit and then refrigerate for several hours up to overnight. Fill a small saucepan with about 2 cups water and 1/2 cup sugar. Bring to a low boil and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.

Add the lemon juice stirring to combine, and refrigerate for several hours. Now fill a pitcher (or glasses) with ice and pour equal parts tea and lemonade into the pitcher. Feel free to adjust the amounts to taste. If desired, add lemon slices or mint leaves to the pitcher and glasses.

Helpful Recipe Tips

Though you can make this with any tea, black tea is my preferred choice for the Arnie Palmer.
For a spiked Arnold Palmer, add a couple of ounces of alcohol like gin, vodka, rum, or bourbon. Vodka is by far the most popular choice making it a John Daly cocktail.
The simple syrup can be made up to 2 weeks in advance and stored in the fridge in an airtight container.
I think this is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, but if you want a sweeter drink, use sweet tea.

You don't have to be on the golf course to enjoy this refreshing beverage. So grab a glass, pull up a chair, and let's reminisce for a while.

Do you have to use fresh squeezed lemonade?

No, you can certainly use already prepared bottled lemonade or lemonade made from frozen concentrate. It is really entirely up to you and your busy schedule. I have done it both ways and even though I prefer the fresh lemonade in my Arnold Palmer, both are delicious. There is also the added advantage that bottled lemonade and lemonade concentrate have a longer life.

What is the correct ratio of tea and lemon in an Arnold Palmer drink?

The classic drink and the way the late great golfer liked it was with about 75% tea and 25% lemonade. But as the drink became more and more popular, the split became more half iced tea and half lemonade. However, the correct ratio is up to you and your taste buds. I personally like mine more along the halfway split, but as my late Mother used to say, “Different strokes for different folks.”

More refreshing beverages to enjoy!