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    Home » Recipes » Drinks (Non-Alcoholic) » How to Make an Arnold Palmer drink

    LAST UPDATED: May 23, 2022 • FIRST PUBLISHED: July 3, 2019 By Toni Dash 26 Comments

    How to Make an Arnold Palmer drink

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    arnold palmer drink title image

    An Arnold Palmer drink is a classic, refreshing mocktail sipper perfect for summer’s hot temps. Easy to make and even easier to drink!

    arnold palmer drink title image

    The first time I recall having an Arnold Palmer drink was poolside at the deluxe Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs.

    On a lazy afternoon break from a Barbecue University intensive course I was attending, a pool attendant was serving Arnold Palmer’s to take an edge off the heat.

    I was hooked!

    Jump to:
    • What’s in an Arnold Palmer drink?
    • How Did the Arnold Palmer Get its Name
    • Best Type of Tea to Use 
    • Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe
    • How to Sweeten an Arnold Palmer
    • Drink Variations
    • What Type of Alcohol Goes Well with an Arnold Palmer
    • Recipe

    What’s in an Arnold Palmer drink?

    As our summer temp’s begin to spike, and making Sun Tea becomes a norm, the Arnold Palmer drink is a perfect thirst quencher.

    An Arnold Palmer beverage is made with two summer drink classics: a combination iced tea and lemonade. It’s a slightly sweet lemony tea blend that has a refreshing taste. 

    glass pitcher of iced tea with ice

    How Did the Arnold Palmer Get its Name

    It was named after the golfer of the same name who became known to frequently request this drink combination at various golf club houses.

    The start of the official drink name was supposedly from a woman ordering the drink at a golf club asking for ‘that Arnold Palmer drink’.

    His preference was so well known all the big golf courses knew exactly how to make it! Palmer was said to order a ‘Mr. Palmer’ at golf country clubs when requesting the drink.

    It also became a springboard for spin-offs, of course many including booze.

    making an arnold palmer (pouring iced tea into the glass)

    Best Type of Tea to Use 

    A neutral unsweetened black tea is the classic choice. Orange Pekoe is a great option and goes with any lemonade.

    Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe

    This mocktail is more about proportions than a traditional recipe.

    Arnold Palmer’s original drink was made with:

    • 3 parts unsweetened tea
    • 1 part lemonade

    It’s served in a tall Collins glass full of ice.

    Widely available at any restaurant or bar, the ‘Arnie Palmer’ is often made with 50% lemonade and 50% iced tea.

    This ‘equal parts’ ingredient ratio sometimes is referred to a ‘Half and Half’.

    glass pitcher of fresh lemonade with lemon slices

    How to Sweeten an Arnold Palmer

    The easiest way to sweeten the drink is with simple syrup. It mixes quickly into the other ingredients since it’s a liquid.

    Making simple syrup at home is easy!

    Drink Variations

    • Can be made with prepared, store-bought ingredients.
    • Homemade Sun Tea can be used too.
    • Use either traditional black tea bags or a tea flavor of your choosing.
    • Homemade lemonade can be used if desired.

    Multiple variations of the Arnold Palmer have spun off including different flavored teas, frozen versions and even a slushie version. 

    What Type of Alcohol Goes Well with an Arnold Palmer

    An Arnold Palmer spiked has alcohol added making it into a cocktail.

    There are multiple ways to spike it:

    • A Captain Palmer uses rum versus the common spiking with gin or vodka.
    • The most well known cocktail spin is named after a rival golfer John Daly which included vodka.
    • Other spin-offs include a Juan Daly with tequila and Southern version uses sweet tea and bourbon.    
    an Arnold Palmer drink in hands

    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    Recipe

    arnold palmer drink title image

    Arnold Palmer drink

    The classic Arnold Palmer is a mixture of unsweetened iced tea and lemonade. Served over ice this mocktail takes the heat out of any day.
    5 from 27 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 glass (or 1 pitcher)
    Calories: 38kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    Ingredients

    For a Glass

    • 7.5 ounces unsweetened iced tea homemade or purchased, chilled
    • 2.5 ounces lemonade homemade or purchased, chilled
    • ice
    • simple syrup optional to sweeten if desired

    For a Pitcher

    • 3 cups unsweetened iced tea homemade or purchased, chilled
    • 1 cup lemonade homemade or purchased, chilled
    • ice
    • simple syrup optional to sweeten if desired

    Instructions

    For a glass

    • Combine chilled unsweetened iced tea with lemonade. Pour over ice in a tall Collins glass.

    For a pitcher (makes 1 quart)

    • Combine the chilled unsweetened tea and lemonade in a pitcher filled with ice. Garnish with lemon slices if desired.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 38kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 79mg | Sugar: 8g
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy says

      May 24, 2022 at 8:08 pm

      5 stars
      Definitely so delicious and tasty. Perfect to beat the heat this summer season. Thanks for sharing this with us!

      Reply
    2. Julie says

      January 18, 2021 at 4:21 pm

      5 stars
      I am in the UK and an American suggested this drink to me during Dry January 2021….never heard of the golfer or drink.

      I do drink iced tea, but adding lemonade takes it to a new level. I use black tea, slice of lemon and 3 : 1 ratio with lemonade. No added sweeteners. I make the tea, chill and add the lemonade when I am ready to drink.

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        January 18, 2021 at 4:35 pm

        Well as they say Julie ‘now you know’ probably more than you ever dreamed you would about Arnold Palmer and his iconic drink! Glad to spread the drink across the pond! Happy New Year.

        Reply
    3. Ruth I says

      July 12, 2019 at 9:37 pm

      5 stars
      Oh gosh. I feel like I’m missing a lot, haven’t tasted any of these! I will be trying this, I am sure the taste is yummy!

      Reply
    4. Pamela Frost says

      July 09, 2019 at 9:24 pm

      I can’t believe i just came across this. I just heard about this drink a week ago when I was at a lunch meeting and several attendees ordered them. When they came out they looked so cool and amazingly delicious on such a hot summer day! I want to make my own from organic lemons and some good quality tea!

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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