Arnold Palmer

Name: Arnold Palmer
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 120 ml / 4 oz Iced Tea; 120 ml / 4 oz Lemonade

Ingredients Instructions

The Arnold Palmer is a beloved and remarkably simple beverage, consisting of half iced tea and half lemonade. Named after the legendary American golfer Arnold Palmer, this drink is celebrated for its perfect balance of sweet, tart, and tannic flavors. It's an incredibly refreshing choice, especially popular during warm weather, for social gatherings, or as a classic thirst-quencher on the golf course.

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Arnold Palmer is a classic non-alcoholic beverage, often classified as a mocktail or a specialty iced tea. It falls into the category of simple, refreshing mixed drinks perfect for any time of day. Its straightforward composition makes it a staple in the world of thirst-quenching beverages.

Serving

This refreshing, non-alcoholic drink is served cold over ice in a tall Highball or Collins glass. The serving size is typically generous, around 12 ounces, to maximize its thirst-quenching quality.

Serving size

approx. 350 ml / 12 oz

Alcohol content

0% ABV (non-alcoholic)

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Highball or Collins glass

Glass treatment

None

Backstory

The drink's creation is attributed to the famous golfer Arnold Palmer, who was known to order it frequently. Legend has it that in the late 1960s at a golf club in Palm Springs, California, Palmer ordered a mix of iced tea and lemonade. A woman sitting nearby overheard him and ordered 'that Palmer drink,' and the name stuck, quickly spreading across the country.

Origin

United States, circa 1960s. The drink was popularized by and named after professional golfer Arnold Palmer.

Arnold Palmer

The drink is commonly known as an Arnold Palmer, but is also frequently called a 'Half and Half'. This latter name directly describes its composition of equal parts iced tea and lemonade. While Arnold Palmer is the most recognized name, Half and Half is also widely understood, particularly in certain regions of the United States.

Original name

Arnold Palmer

Alternative name

Half and Half

Characteristics overview

The Arnold Palmer has a perfectly balanced sweet and tart flavor profile, with distinct notes of lemon and black tea. It's a smooth, still, light-bodied beverage with a refreshing, clean aftertaste, making it an ideal summery drink.

Flavor

Sweet, tart, lemony, tea, refreshing, balanced

Aroma

Lemon, black tea

Taste balance

Sweet, sour

Aftertaste

Clean, refreshing, lingering sweet-tartness

Fizziness

Still

Color appearance

Amber, light brown, cloudy, translucent

Texture

Smooth, watery, light-bodied

Seasonality

Refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The drink offers a balanced and moderate flavor intensity, where the sweetness of lemonade is perfectly countered by its sourness and the subtle bitterness from the iced tea. It is not alcoholic and typically not carbonated, making it an easy-drinking beverage.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

The classic Arnold Palmer requires just two simple ingredients: freshly brewed iced tea and high-quality lemonade. Typically, these are combined in equal parts for a perfectly balanced flavor.

Iced Tea120 ml / 4 oz
Freshly brewed and chilled unsweetened black tea is recommended for the best flavor.
Lemonade120 ml / 4 oz
Use high-quality, fresh lemonade for a brighter taste.

Ice type

Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment is needed to make an Arnold Palmer. You can build it directly in the serving glass and stir gently with a bar spoon to combine.

Bar spoon for stirring

Instructions

Making an Arnold Palmer is straightforward: simply fill a glass with ice, add equal parts iced tea and lemonade, stir gently, and garnish with a lemon slice.

1. Fill a Highball or Collins glass with ice cubes.

2. Pour 4 oz (120 ml) of chilled iced tea into the glass.

3. Top with 4 oz (120 ml) of lemonade.

4. Stir gently to combine the ingredients.

5. Garnish with a lemon wheel or wedge.

6. Serve immediately.

Garnishing

A simple garnish of a fresh lemon wheel or wedge is perfect for the Arnold Palmer. It enhances the citrus aroma and adds to the visual appeal.

Lemon wheel or wedge

Dietary Information

This drink contains caffeine from the tea but is otherwise dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. It is a suitable beverage for both vegans and vegetarians.

✕ Contains alcohol

✕ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✓ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

An Arnold Palmer is relatively low in calories, around 100 kcal per serving. Most of its calories come from the sugar in the lemonade, with an average serving containing about 24 grams of sugar.

Calories

averagely 100 kcal / 418 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

averagely 25 g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

averagely 24 g

Sugar level

Occasions

The Arnold Palmer is a versatile drink suitable for numerous casual occasions. It's a perfect refreshment for a hot summer day, a staple at barbecues and picnics, and famously enjoyed on the golf course. Its non-alcoholic nature makes it a great choice for any time of day.

Summer day
Barbecue
Casual gathering
Golf course
Daily refreshment

Pairing suggestions

As a light and refreshing beverage, the Arnold Palmer pairs wonderfully with classic American summer fare. It complements grilled foods like burgers and barbecue, as well as sandwiches, salads, and salty snacks. Its balanced profile cuts through rich flavors without overpowering the food.

Grilled foods (burgers, hot dogs)
Sandwiches and salads
Light pasta dishes
Salty snacks
Southern cuisine

The Arnold Palmer: A Refreshing Legend in a Glass

The Arnold Palmer is a quintessential American non-alcoholic beverage, celebrated for its refreshing simplicity. By combining equal parts iced tea and lemonade, it achieves a perfect harmony of sweet, tart, and tannic notes. Named after the legendary golfer who popularized it, this drink has become a symbol of leisure and a staple at golf courses, summer barbecues, and casual gatherings. Its ease of preparation and universally appealing taste make it a timeless classic.