Arnold Palmer Drink

Few beverages offer instant refreshment on a hot afternoon quite like the arnold palmer drink. By pairing rich black tea with tart lemonade, this simple creation strikes a balance between sweet, earthy, and sour notes. Whether you sip it on a back porch, at a summer barbecue, or after a round on the golf course, it remains an iconic choice across North America.

What Is the Arnold Palmer Drink?

At its core, the arnold palmer drink is a non-alcoholic beverage made by combining brewed iced tea with lemonade. The natural tannins in cold black tea cut through the sweet, tangy bite of citrus, creating a clean finish that quenches thirst better than soda or plain sweet tea.

While commercial versions often use a half-and-half mixture, the beauty of making it at home is that you can easily tweak the proportions to fit your taste preferences.

How the Arnold Palmer Drink Got Its Name

The story behind the arnold palmer drink traces back to the legendary American professional golfer whose name it carries. Arnold Palmer was famous for his dominant performances on the golf course, but he also had a personal habit of mixing unsweetened iced tea with a splash of lemonade at home.

During the late 1960s, while relaxing at a country club in Palm Springs after a long day in the heat, Palmer ordered his usual custom mixture at the bar. A woman sitting nearby heard his request and told the bartender she wanted “that Arnold Palmer drink.” The phrase caught on quickly among members before spreading to restaurants and golf courses nationwide.

Interestingly, Palmer’s preferred ratio differed from what most restaurants serve. While diners typically pour equal amounts of both liquids, Palmer preferred a ratio of roughly three parts unsweetened black tea to one part lemonade. That specific mix keeps the drink lean and tart rather than overly sugary.

How to Make the Arnold Palmer Drink

Crafting a traditional arnold palmer drink requires basic pantry staples and just a few minutes of hands-on time.

Ingredients You Need

3 cups unsweetened black tea: Cold-brewed or hot-steeped and chilled (English Breakfast or classic Ceylon works great).
1 cup fresh lemonade: Made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, water, and simple syrup.
Ice cubes: Enough to fill your glasses.
Garnish: Fresh lemon wheels or mint sprigs.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Brew and Chill the Tea: Steep 3 or 4 black tea bags in boiling water for four minutes. Remove the tea bags and let the liquid cool in the refrigerator until cold.
Prepare the Lemonade: Mix fresh lemon juice with cold water and a small amount of simple syrup until balanced.
Fill the Glass: Fill a tall highball glass or glass jar to the brim with ice cubes.
Pour the Mix: Fill three-quarters of the glass with chilled black tea, then top off the remaining quarter with fresh lemonade. Stir gently with a long spoon to combine.
Garnish and Serve: Place a lemon wheel on the glass rim or drop a fresh mint sprig on top before serving.

Similar Drinks and How They Are Made

The popularity of the arnold palmer drink inspired numerous spin-offs, ranging from spiked cocktail versions to regional sweet tea variations.

The John Daly

Named after another famous professional golfer known for his colorful personality, this cocktail adds alcohol to the classic mix.

How it is made: Fill a highball glass with ice, pour equal parts unsweetened iced tea and lemonade, and stir in 1.5 ounces of vodka.

The Winnie Palmer

Named after Arnold Palmer’s first wife, Winnie, this sweeter alternative replaces unsweetened black tea with classic Southern sweet tea.

How it is made: Combine equal parts sweet tea and lemonade in a glass filled with ice, gently stirring to blend the flavors.

The Juan Daly (or Lee Trevino)

Paying tribute to hall-of-fame golfer Lee Trevino, this option replaces vodka with silver tequila for an agave-forward twist.

How it is made: Pour equal parts iced tea and lemonade over ice in a tall glass, stir in 1.5 ounces of silver tequila, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

The Bourbon Palmer

This popular cocktail variant adds the warm oak and vanilla notes of American whiskey to the classic citrus-tea base.

How it is made: Add 1.5 ounces of Kentucky bourbon, 3 ounces of black tea, and 3 ounces of lemonade into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well, strain into an ice-filled glass, and top with a fresh mint leaf.

The Berry Palmer

A colorful non-alcoholic variation that swaps plain lemonade for fruit-infused versions.

How it is made: Mix equal parts cold-brewed black tea with strawberry lemonade or raspberry lemonade over fresh ice, garnishing with whole berries for extra flair.

Mastering the Arnold Palmer Drink

Crafting the perfect arnold palmer drink comes down to balancing sweet citrus against crisp black tea to suit your personal palate. Whether you stick with Arnold Palmer’s original three-to-one ratio or prefer an equal split, making your own batch gives you total control over ingredient quality and sweetness. Keeping a pitcher of cold black tea and fresh lemonade stocked in your fridge during warm months ensures you always have a quick, satisfying beverage ready to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Arnold Palmer Drink

What is the best ratio for an arnold palmer drink?

While commercial versions usually use equal parts iced tea and lemonade, Arnold Palmer favored a ratio of three parts unsweetened black tea to one part lemonade. Experimenting with different proportions helps you discover whether you prefer a sweeter beverage or a sharper, tea-forward flavor profile.

What kind of tea works best in an arnold palmer drink?

Unsweetened black tea is the traditional choice because its bold, earthy character stands up well against tart citrus. Classic options like English Breakfast, Ceylon, or Earl Grey work exceptionally well when cold-brewed or hot-steeped and chilled.

Can you make an arnold palmer drink alcoholic?

Yes, adding spirits transforms this classic non-alcoholic beverage into a popular cocktail. Adding a shot of vodka turns it into a John Daly, while mixing in Kentucky bourbon creates a Bourbon Palmer with warm oak notes.

How long does a pitcher of homemade arnold palmer drink last in the fridge?

A freshly mixed batch stays fresh in a covered glass pitcher for three to five days in the refrigerator. To keep the flavors crisp, hold off on adding ice directly into the main pitcher, pouring it over ice-filled glasses only when you are ready to serve.

Is the arnold palmer drink healthy?

Homemade versions can be quite healthy depending on how much sugar you add to the lemonade. Black tea provides natural antioxidants, and using freshly squeezed lemon juice with a touch of simple syrup or a natural sweetener creates a light alternative to bottled sodas.