Few things are as refreshing on a warm day as a homemade Arnold Palmer Drink. This simple but iconic drink combines the crisp taste of iced tea with the zesty brightness of lemonade, making it the perfect thirst-quencher.
Best of all, you can easily customize it to your taste whether that means adjusting the sweetness, using different types of tea, or even turning it into a spiked Arnold Palmer.
What’s The Story?
Arnold Palmer tells us it was really just by accident that he created this drink he is now famous for. One day in the late 1960s, after designing a course in Palm Springs, Arnold Palmer ordered a mix of lemonade and iced tea from a waitress while ordering lunch. A woman sitting nearby heard what he ordered and said, “I’ll have an Arnold Palmer drink.” The official Arnold Palmer Iced Tea and Lemonade beverage was created.
Arnold had been drinking the combination for years prior. His wife would make the half lemonade and half tea for him on hot days after being on the course.
Before You Get Started
Choose Your Tea: Black tea is the classic choice, but green tea, herbal tea, or even peach tea can add a fun twist.
Sweetness Level: Start with the recommended sugar amount and adjust to taste.
Make It Ahead: Brew the tea and mix in the lemonade, then chill for at least an hour for the best flavor.
Ingredient Information
There are only a few simple ingredients to make the perfect Arnold Palmer drink.
- Black Tea: Use classic black tea, or try Orange Pekoe for a smooth taste.
- Lemonade: Fresh-squeezed is best, but a high-quality store-bought version works too.
- Sugar: Adjust based on your sweetness preference, or swap for stevia for a low-sugar version.
- Ice: Essential for keeping the drink perfectly chilled.
- Lemon Slices & Mint (Optional): Adds an extra refreshing touch.
How To Make An Arnold Palmer Recipe
- Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and add the tea bags to the hot water. Let them steep for about 5 minutes.
- After steeping, remove the tea bags and discard them.
- Add 1 cup of granulated sugar to the hot tea, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Pour the sweet tea into a plastic pitcher and add the lemonade. Stir to combine.
- Chill the tea and lemonade mixture in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Serve our Arnold Palmor iced tea over ice in tall glasses, and garnish with lemon slices if desired.
Tips For Serving
- Serve in tall glasses over plenty of ice for the best refreshment.
- Add a wedge of lemon and a sprig of mint for an elegant touch.
- Use flavored ice cubes (made with lemonade or tea) to prevent dilution.
Big Batch Arnold Palmer Drink For A Party
When making a big batch of Arnold Palmer iced tea for a party, you’ll need to adjust the ingredients accordingly. This recipe makes 1.5 quarts.
Arnold Palmer tea drink = 2 gallons of tea per 25 guests
Arnold Palmer cocktail = 1 1/2 drinks per guest each hour
Party Tip: Make your tea and lemonade the day of the party. Tea, especially sweetened tea, is best consumed the day it is made.
Arnold Palmer Spiked
A classic Arnold Palmer drink is a refreshingly simple summertime mocktail. However, the drink also makes a great base for delicious cocktails.
When you add alcohol, usually vodka, to an Arnold Palmer, it becomes a John Daly. This cocktail is named after another famous professional golfer, John Daly, who was known for his love of alcohol. The name is a playful nod to Daly’s reputation for enjoying a drink or two.
John Daly (Spiked Arnold Palmer Half and Half)
This cocktail is light and refreshing, but be cautious as it’s deceptively smooth.
- Homemade Arnold Palmer Iced Tea
- 1 1/2 oz. vodka
Stir well and serve over ice.
Peachy Arnold Palmer 🍑
- Homemade Arnold Palmer Iced Tea
- 1 ounce bourbon
- ½ ounce peach liqueur
- 5 fresh peach slices
Mix liquids in a tall glass and stir well. Add peach slices and ice. Serve with a slice of peach on the side of the glass.
If you’re a golf fan, you’ll love learning about the History of Masters Golf Tournament Concession Stand Food and the iconic snacks served at Augusta National. The Arnold Palmer drink is a perfect refreshment to enjoy while watching the tournament or recreating the Masters experience at home!
Masters Party Food Menu
Get ready for the 2025 Masters Tournament with these authentic tasting copycat recipes inspired by the historic Augusta National’s Masters golf tournament. Create a full Masters Party Food Menu with these make-at-home recipes.
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
The Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
You can add any recipe from Intentional Hospitality to your shopping list to plan a full menu!
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 3 teabags tea, family-sized tea bags or 6 regular-sized tea bags
- 1 cup sugar, more if you like it sweeter or make it unsweet like Arnold drinks it. I like to make it a diet Arnold Palmer by adding stevia.
- 3 cups lemonade, fresh made or good quality store bought
- Ice
Instructions
- Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan.3 cups water
- Remove the saucepan from heat and add the tea bags. Let them steep for about 5 minutes.3 teabags tea
- After steeping, remove the tea bags and discard them.
- Add 1 cup of granulated sugar to the hot tea, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.1 cup sugar
- Pour the sweet tea into a plastic pitcher and add the lemonade. Stir to combine.3 cups lemonade
- Chill the tea and lemonade mixture in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Serve our Arnold Palmor iced tea over ice in tall glasses, and garnish with lemon slices if desired.Ice
