The Arnold Palmer is a refreshing, non-alcoholic summer
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About this classic Arnold Palmer Drink recipe
Salt or pepper? Peanut butter or jelly? Cream or sugar? Well, why should you have to decide? The best of both worlds is always better, in my opinion.
The same is true for lemonade and iced tea. These two go together like a horse and carriage.
Did you know that if you mix these two together it’s called an Arnold Palmer? It was the famous golfer’s favorite
Whatever you call it, it’s a classic summer
Why you’ll love this recipe
If you can never decide between tea and lemonade, this
- Iced tea and lemonade are two of the most refreshing drinks out there. Together, they’re a force!
- Though you can buy it at the store, perfecting the perfect Arnold Palmer ratio is even better.
- You can tweak the recipe with your favorite type of tea, preferred sweetness level, additional flavors or even a little alcohol to spike it.
This
The Arnold Palmer drink , explained
The Arnold Palmer
He often ordered and drank a combination of lemonade and unsweet iced tea, which earned the nickname of “The Arnold Palmer.” I can see why he loved it — it’s perfect for a hot day on the golf course!
Even though Palmer died in 2016, the
- First there’s the Winnie Palmer, named for Arnold Palmer’s first wife. This recipe uses sweet iced tea instead of unsweet.
- The restaurant chain Chick-Fil-A has its own version of the
drink called the Sunjoy that uses sweetened iced tea, though customers can customize it with unsweetened tea or diet lemonade. - At Starbucks, the
drink is called the Iced Tea Lemonade and is made with black tea and lemonade, then sweetened with simple syrup. Starbucks baristas can customize it with flavored teas and syrups to make different flavor combinations on this deliciousdrink . - And if you add alcohol — usually vodka — it’s called a John Daly, named for another famous professional golfer.
However you make it and whatever you call it, this iced tea lemonade recipe is the ultimate summer beverage full of ice-cold refreshment. It is definitely one of the summer classics!
Ingredients
Besides ice, you only need two simple ingredients to make an iced black tea lemonade — regular black tea and lemonade! Pick them up from your local grocery stores or get the ingredients to make them yourself.
Lemonade
Along with iced tea, sweet and tart lemonade is the co-star of this refreshing
You can use store-bought lemonade, absolutely, or even a lemonade concentrate. But a
I have found the best lemonade to be a homemade lemonade recipe made with fresh lemon juice and pure sugar.
However, a store-bought works just as well. An organic lemonade or a brand with a short ingredient list will probably taste the best. Keep an eye out for concentrates and strange ingredients.
Iced tea
Technically the Arnold Palmer uses unsweetened black tea, but if you want a sweeter
Personally, I like to use cold-brew iced tea. I love this method because it’s not as bitter as hot-brewed tea that has cooled down. It is made with cold water, black tea bags (or loose-leaf tea). It takes some time to steep but it makes a big difference in flavor.
You can also make tea with boiling hot water. You will need 1 tea bag or 1 teaspoon of loose-leaf tea for every 6 to 8 ounces of water, depending on the desired strength. Let the tea steep and then discard tea bags when it’s your desired flavor.
Usually iced tea lemonades are made with black tea, but if you want to get creative and try this with green tea or herbal tea, you absolutely can.
Best ratio for an Arnold Palmer
The best ratio for an Arnold Palmer comes down to personal preference. There are a few ratios to try:
- 1:1 — Fill the glass with ice, then fill it with half lemonade and half tea.
- 1:2 — Add lemonade ⅓ of the way with lemonade, then top with tea.
- 1:3 — Fill the glass ¼ full of lemonade, then top with tea.
My favorite ratio is the 1:2 ratio, because it feels perfectly balanced to me!
How to make an Arnold Palmer
The Arnold Palmer is a super simple recipe! This two-ingredient
- Fill a glass with ice. You can use a short glass or a tall glass.
- Pour in lemonade, about halfway or your favorite ratio. Then top with your favorite iced tea.
- Stir it up, garnish your lemonade iced tea with lemon slices, fresh mint leaves or fresh fruit.
Tips & tricks
- The ratio you use will depend on how sweet you like your Arnold Palmer drinks. If you are using unsweetened iced tea, it can help to tamp down on the sweetness of the lemonade.
- For more lemon flavor, stick to the half-and-half ratio or use less tea.
- To prevent ice watering it down, try making tea ice cubes that will melt into a stronger tea flavor.
Variations and substitutions
There are so many ways you can make this sweet tea lemonade recipe!
Winnie Palmer: Use sweet tea instead of unsweetened tea.
John Daly / Spiked Arnold Palmer: Add 1 ½ounces of vodka and shake it up in a cocktail shaker *. You could also use rum or limoncello.
Sugar-free Arnold Palmer: Use your favorite sugar-free sweetener, such as Stevia, to make your own lemonade and iced tea.
Arnold Palmer Punch: Multiply the recipe and serve it in a large pitcher to make a big batch for a party.
Flavored Arnold Palmer: Add some pizzazz to this easy
- strawberry lemonade
- lavender lemonade
- watermelon lemonade
- herbal limeade
- peach iced tea
- blueberry iced tea
Another great option is to add some flavored simple syrup for an extra layer of flavor.
What to serve with Arnold Palmers
Arnold Palmers are a great afternoon drink, when you just need a pick-me-up! It’s great on its own or with snacks.
- It’s great with teatime treats like blueberry muffins and madeleines.
- Try it with other lemon goodness like lemon Hawaiian rolls.
- Treats made with tea like these pretty Earl Grey tea cookies would also be lovely.
- Southern foods like cheese straws or classic lemon bars would be perfect pairings for this southern
FAQ
The Arnold Palmer is a non-alcoholic drink made with unsweetened iced tea and lemonade. If you make it with sweet tea, it’s called a Winnie Palmer, named for the golfer Arnold Palmer’s wife.
Vodka is typically used to make a spiked Arnold Palmer. The boozy version is called a John Daly, named for another famous golfer. However, you could also use rum, bourbon whiskey or tequila and it would still taste great.
The Arnold Palmer is sometimes called an iced tea lemonade. At Starbucks, you can order an iced black tea lemonade. At Chick-fil-A, it is called a Sunjoy. When alcohol, typically vodka, is added, it’s called a John Daly. Both Arnold Palmer and John Daly were golfers said to order their respective drinks. When made with sweetened iced tea, it’s called a Winnie Palmer, named for Palmer’s wife.
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Arnold Palmer Drink (Iced Tea Lemonade)
ingredients
- 2 ounces lemonade
- 4 ounces iced tea unsweetened
- 1 slice lemon for garnish
- 1 sprig fresh mint
instructions
- Fill a glass with ice. You can use a short glass or a tall glass.
- Pour in lemonade, then top with your favorite iced tea.
- Stir it up, garnish your lemonade iced tea with lemon slices, fresh mint leaves or fresh fruit.
notes
- 1:1 — Fill the glass with ice, then fill it with half lemonade and half tea.
- 1:2 — Add lemonade ⅓ of the way with lemonade, then top with tea.
- 1:3 — Fill the glass ¼ full of lemonade, then top with tea.
- Winnie Palmer: Use sweet tea instead of unsweetened tea.
- John Daly / Spiked Arnold Palmer: Add 1½ ounces of vodka and shake it up in a cocktail shaker. You could also use rum or limoncello.
- Sugar-free Arnold Palmer: Use your favorite sugar-free sweetener, such as Stevia, in homemade lemonade and iced tea.
- Arnold Palmer Punch: Multiply the recipe and serve it in a large pitcher to make a big batch for a party.
- Flavored Arnold Palmer: Add some pizzazz to this easy drink by adding a flavored lemonade or a flavorful iced tea.
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