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Classic Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe

Arnold Palmer Drink

iamwinfred
The classic Arnold Palmer is a timeless combination of half sweet iced tea and half fresh lemonade — refreshing, simple to make, and satisfying in a way that's hard to explain until you've had a cold glass on a warm afternoon. Named after the legendary golfer who famously sipped this combination throughout his career, this homemade version puts you in full control of the sweetness, tea strength, and lemon tartness for a perfectly balanced drink you'll want to make all summer long.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 130 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pitcher At least 2-quart capacity; glass pitcher with a lid is ideal
  • Small saucepan For making the simple syrup
  • Citrus juicer Handheld or countertop, for squeezing the lemons
  • Fine-mesh strainer To strain out lemon seeds and tea
  • Heatproof bowl or large measuring cup For steeping the tea
  • Stirring spoon or long-handled bar spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Tall glasses For serving; 16-ounce glasses work perfectly

Ingredients
  

For the Iced Tea

  • 4 black tea bags Standard black tea like Lipton or Luzianne; use 5 bags for stronger flavor
  • 4 cups boiling water For brewing the tea; about 950ml

For the Lemonade Base

  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice About 240ml; from 6–8 lemons; bottled works in a pinch but fresh is strongly recommended
  • 1 cup simple syrup 240ml; see notes for how to make; reduce to ¾ cup for lighter sweetness
  • 2 cups cold water About 480ml; for diluting the lemonade base

For the Simple Syrup

  • 1 cup granulated sugar 200g
  • 1 cup water 240ml

For Serving

  • ice Plenty; large ice cubes preferred as they melt more slowly
  • lemon slices Optional, for garnish
  • fresh mint sprigs Optional, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar fully dissolves (3–5 minutes). Remove from heat and cool completely before using.
  • Pour boiling water over 4 tea bags in a heatproof bowl and steep for exactly 5 minutes — no longer or the tea will turn bitter. Gently remove bags without squeezing, then cool to room temperature and refrigerate until fully chilled.
  • Roll lemons on the countertop to soften, then cut in half and juice with a citrus juicer until you have 1 cup of juice. Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds.
  • In a large pitcher, stir together the fresh lemon juice, cooled simple syrup, and 2 cups of cold water. Taste and adjust — add more lemon juice if too sweet, or a splash more syrup if too tart.
  • Add the fully chilled iced tea to the lemonade base in the pitcher at a 50/50 ratio and stir gently to combine. Taste and adjust the balance to your preference.
  • Fill tall glasses generously with ice and pour the Arnold Palmer over the top. Garnish with a lemon slice and fresh mint sprig if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemon juice, not bottled — fresh juice is noticeably brighter and more vibrant in flavor.
  • Do not steep the tea longer than 5–7 minutes or it will turn bitter and affect the entire drink.
  • Never squeeze the tea bags after steeping; this releases harsh tannins that make the tea bitter.
  • Let the simple syrup and brewed tea cool completely before combining — warm liquid melts ice quickly and dilutes the drink.
  • The classic ratio is 50/50 iced tea to lemonade, but adjust to taste: more tea for a bolder flavor, more lemonade for extra tartness.
  • Make-ahead tip: Brew the tea and lemonade base separately and refrigerate in covered containers. Combine right before serving for the freshest flavor.
  • Storage: The combined drink keeps in a covered pitcher in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stored separately, each component lasts up to 5 days.
  • For a sugar-free version, substitute monk fruit sweetener or erythritol 1:1 for the granulated sugar in the simple syrup.
  • Spiked version (John Daly): Add 1.5 oz of vodka per glass for an easy adult upgrade.
  • Use large ice cubes when serving — they melt more slowly and keep the drink cold without diluting it quickly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 34gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 60mgSugar: 32gVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg
Keyword arnold palmer drink, homemade lemonade, iced tea lemonade, non alcoholic drinks, summer drinks
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