The Arnold Palmer drink, named for the renowned golfer, is a refreshing non-alcoholic mixture of lemonade and iced tea. Arnold and his wife experimented with the proportions until they got it just right. From that point on, Arnold took a thermos full when he went off to play golf. This drink happens to be my husband’s favorite hot weather drink, so rather than purchase ready-made, I decided to try to make a homemade batch for him. Try it – it’s easy and delicious and uses only a few simple ingredients. Takes only about 15-20 minutes to make.
Home-Made Refreshing Arnold Palmer Drink
Ingredients
- 4 tea bags Experiment to find what you like best - we enjoy English breakfast tea
- Boiling water (1 tea kettle full)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup lemon juice
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 2 cups ice cubes
- fresh mint for garnish
Instructions
- Iced Tea: Tie tea bags together and attach to the handle of a large pitcher. Make sure the tea bags hang down a few inches inside the pitcher. Pour the boiled water into the pitcher over the tea bags and set aside to steep over the tea bags and into the pitcher. Set it aside to steep for 5 minutes. Don't steep for too long as the team can become bitter.
- Lemonade: While the tea bags steep, add the sugar and water to a medium-size saucepan. Bring to a boil, then allow to simmer until sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Once completely cooled, pour the syrup made from the sugar and water into a blender. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, and ice cubes, then pulse to puree the mixture. Place in the freezer until the tea finishes steeping.Add the lemon mixture to a pitcher similar in size to the iced tea pitcher. Add water to fill the pitcher to the top.
- Final Arnold Palmer concoction: Add more ice cubes to a tall glass. Fill half with iced tea and half with lemonade. Garnish with fresh mint. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Fun Facts About the Arnold Palmer Drink
The Arnold Palmer is a popular and refreshing beverage that consists of a mixture of iced tea and lemonade. It’s named after the famous American professional golfer Arnold Palmer, who reportedly ordered this concoction at a restaurant. Here are some fun facts about the Arnold Palmer drink:
Origins:
The exact origin of the Arnold Palmer drink is a bit of a legend. It’s said that Arnold Palmer himself requested the combination of iced tea and lemonade at a restaurant, and a lady sitting nearby overheard his order and asked for “that Palmer drink.”
Nomenclature:
The drink’s popularity led to it being named after Arnold Palmer, creating a lasting legacy for the golfer both on and off the course.
Variations:
There are variations of the Arnold Palmer drink. For instance, a “John Daly” is a spiked version of the drink, often mixed with alcohol like vodka or whiskey.
Commercialization:
The Arnold Palmer drink’s popularity led to it being bottled and sold commercially, making it easily available in stores and restaurants.
Charitable Contributions:
Arnold Palmer himself was known for his philanthropic efforts. He donated a significant portion of the proceeds from the commercial sales of the drink to various charitable causes.
Popularity:
The Arnold Palmer drink is a favorite among golf enthusiasts and has become a staple at golf tournaments and country clubs.
Customization:
Just like any beverage, the Arnold Palmer can be customized to suit personal preferences. Some people prefer a sweeter version with more lemonade, while others prefer a stronger tea flavor.
Health Conscious:
Depending on the ratios of tea to lemonade and any added sweeteners, the Arnold Palmer can be a relatively low-calorie and refreshing option, especially when compared to sugary sodas.
Cultural Impact:
The Arnold Palmer drink has become an iconic part of American culture, associated with relaxation, leisure, and outdoor activities.
Unofficial State Drink:
In 2012, the state of Pennsylvania declared Arnold Palmer (the drink) its official state beverage, recognizing the contribution of the legendary golfer to the world of sports and philanthropy.
Mixed Reception:
While Arnold Palmer is loved by many, some purists argue that mixing tea and lemonade can dilute the flavors of each beverage.
International Reach:
The popularity of the drink is known and enjoyed in various parts of the world outside the U.S.
Arnold Palmer Recipe – Larger Print
Need a larger print? No problem. We understand!
Ingredients
FOR THE TEA
4 tea bags (experiment to find what you like best – we enjoy English breakfast tea)
Boiling water (1 tea kettle full)
FOR THE LEMONADE
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup lemon juice
Zest from 1 lemon
2 cups ice cubes
Iced Tea: Tie tea bags together and attach to the handle of a large pitcher. Make sure the tea bags hang down a few inches inside the pitcher. Pour the hot water into the pitcher over the tea bags and set aside to steep over the tea bags and into the pitcher. Set it aside to steep for 5 minutes. Don’t steep for too long as the team can become bitter.
Lemonade: While the tea bags steep, add the sugar and water to a medium-sized saucepan. Bring to a boil, then allow to simmer until sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
Once completely cooled, pour the syrup made from the sugar and water into a blender. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, and ice cubes, then pulse to puree the mixture. Place in the freezer until the tea finishes steeping.
Add the lemon mixture to a pitcher similar in size to the iced tea pitcher. Add water to fill the pitcher to the top.
Final Arnold Palmer concoction
Add more ice cubes to a tall glass. Fill half with iced tea and half with lemonade. Garnish with fresh mint. Serve and enjoy!
Additional notes: You can change the proportions of the ingredients to suit your taste and experiment with different types of tea! We at 50PlusToday personally prefer 3/4 iced tea with 1/4 lemonade. If you prefer using decaffeinated or herbal teas, no problem! And if you don’t have time to make homemade lemonade, store-bought works too. Let us know how you make this recipe your own!
