The Arnold Palmer is a delightful beverage made simply from iced tea and lemonade. Its perfect blend of sweetness and the tartness of lemons creates a refreshing drink, often with a hint of caffeine. You can customize it by preparing tea and lemonade at home or quickly mixing store-bought versions.
Adjust the Arnold Palmer to your taste by varying the portions of tea and lemonade. Whether you prefer it more tea-forward or sweeter, the Arnold Palmer remains recognizable.
What Is an Arnold Palmer?
Named after the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, this drink combines iced tea with a splash of lemonade. Palmer, fond of this combination, began ordering it regularly.
During the 1960s, as others overheard Palmer’s order, the drink gained popularity through the simple act of imitation: “I’ll have what he’s having.”
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
The Arnold Palmer Ratio
Originally, Palmer preferred a splash of lemonade, something akin to an 8:1 tea-to-lemonade ratio. However, many restaurants today opt for a 1:1 mix, yielding a much sweeter version.
For my taste, a 2:1 ratio of iced tea to lemonade strikes the perfect balance. Ultimately, it’s about personal preference, so feel free to adjust to your liking.
The Best Tea for an Arnold Palmer
Tea is a crucial component of an Arnold Palmer. Traditional black teas like Assam, Ceylon, or Darjeeling offer classic flavor profiles. Assam’s boldness complements the lemonade, Ceylon provides a fruity softness, and Darjeeling balances between the two.
Assam’s robust flavor makes it stand out against the lemonade, while Ceylon’s softer, fruity notes blend harmoniously. Darjeeling sits somewhere in between, providing a balanced taste.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
The Best Lemonade for an Arnold Palmer
In lemonade, a nice tartness alongside sweetness is ideal. Eureka lemons provide this balance, but combining them with Meyer lemons gives a naturally sweeter, less tart option.
I prefer using organic cane sugar for its molasses notes, resulting in a darker lemonade. For a brighter color, standard granulated sugar works well.
While I’ve provided homemade recipes, your favorite store-bought iced tea and lemonade will work perfectly, making this a quick and easy drink to prepare.
Variations on the Arnold Palmer
Once you’ve mastered the classic Arnold Palmer, explore some exciting variations:
- Minty twist: Blanch a bunch of mint, pat dry, and blend the leaves with simple syrup for a minty infusion.
- Green tea variation: Replace black tea with green tea varieties like sencha or jasmine for a delightful alternative.
- Herbal option: Use cold-brewed hibiscus flowers as a herbal swap for a unique flavor.
- Boozy version: Add a shot of whiskey or tequila for an adult twist on the classic drink.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
Cold Drinks for a Hot Day
Feel free to adjust the tea-to-lemonade ratio according to your preference.
The homemade tea and lemonade recipes yield enough for 8 Arnold Palmers, allowing you to prepare them individually or in a large batch.
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For a single serving Arnold Palmer
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1/2 cup black iced tea
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1/4 cup lemonade
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Lemon slices, for garnish, optional
For homemade black iced tea
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1/2 cup (29 g) Assam tea
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4 cups cold water
For homemade lemonade
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1 pound lemons, about 4 medium
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1 1/2 cups water, divided
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1/2 cup sugar
To make an Arnold Palmer:
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Combine the ingredients:
Fill a glass 2/3 full with ice. Add the black iced tea and lemonade and stir gently.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
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Garnish:
Optionally, garnish with lemon slices before serving.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
To make homemade black iced tea and lemonade:
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Cold brew the tea leaves:
Mix tea leaves with 4 cups of cold water in a glass container and refrigerate for 8-12 hours, adjusting the steep time for preferred strength.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
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Strain and chill:
Strain the tea into a pitcher. Refrigerate and use within 5 days.
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Juice the lemons:
Juice lemons over a bowl through a sieve to catch seeds until you have 1/2 cup of juice.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
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Make the simple syrup:
Heat 1/2 cup of water with sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Cool it to room temperature, yielding roughly 3/4 cup of syrup.
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
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Combine the ingredients:
In a pitcher, mix the cooled syrup, 1 cup of water, and lemon juice. Refrigerate for up to 1 week, or serve immediately.
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| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 26 | Calories |
| 0g | Fat |
| 7g | Carbs |
| 0g | Protein |
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| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 1 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 26 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| 0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| 0mg | 0% |
| 2mg | 0% |
| 7g | 2% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 6g | |
| 0g | |
| Vitamin C 2mg | 12% |
| Calcium 2mg | 0% |
| Iron 0mg | 1% |
| Potassium 34mg | 1% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) shows how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. A daily intake of 2,000 calories is commonly used for general nutritional guidance. | |
Nutrition details are based on an ingredient database and should be viewed as estimates. When alternatives are listed, the calculations default to the first option. Optional garnishes and ingredients are excluded from nutrition information.
