Arnold Palmer drink, also known as half-and-half, is a classic beverage that combines iced tea and lemonade. It blends bold black tea flavours with the bright and zesty taste of lemons for an ultimate cool-down drink.
About the Arnold Palmer Drink
The Arnold Palmer drink is a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage that lovers of iced tea and lemonade would enjoy. It is named after an American professional golfer, Arnold Palmer, who was known to often request this combination.
This drink has become a popular choice at golf courses and is a staple at summer picnics.
Best of all, making it is simple and requires only a few ingredients. You start by steeping a strong black tea and letting it cool (or you can even cold brew black tea). Then, mix equal parts of the cooled tea and lemonade in a glass filled with ice.
Ingredient Notes
- Black Tea: Use loose leaf or tea bags.
- Water: Steep the black tea in freshly boiled water.
- Lemonade: Store-bought or homemade and sweetened to make a layered drink.
- Ice cubes, lemon slices and mint: Serve the drink over ice and garnish!
How to Make an Arnold Palmer Drink (Iced Tea Lemonade)
Grab the printable recipe card below for the full directions and measurements!
Step 1: Make unsweetened iced tea.
Steep black tea in freshly boiled water for 5 minutes.
After steeping, strain or remove the tea bags. Let the tea cool then place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
Step 2: Assemble the drink.
In a tall glass with ice and lemon slices, add lemonade then the unsweetened tea. Pour the tea very slowly over the ice cubes to create a layered drink.
Step 3: Garnish and enjoy!
Add a small lemon slice to the rim of the glass as well as a sprig of fresh mint before serving or enjoying.
Layered Arnold Palmer Drink
If you would like to make this drink more visually appealing, serve it layered! Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Pour lemonade first, then iced tea. The order in which you pour the ingredients is important. See next point for further details.
- Use unsweetened iced tea and sweetened lemonade. The higher sugar content in the lemonade is what keeps the unsweetened iced tea on top.
- Pour the unsweetened iced tea slowly and over the ice cubes. Pouring too fast right into the glass will mix the 2 ingredients together. You can also pour over the back of a spoon if you find that easier.
Variations
While the original recipe is delicious on its own, there are many variations of this drink that can be made to suit different tastes.
- Spiked Arnold Palmer: For those who want to turn this into an iced tea cocktail, add a shot of vodka or bourbon to the glass.
- Flavoured Tea: Other teas can be used like green tea and raspberry, or peach tea for fruity flavours. You can also add fruit pieces to the glass.
- Different Lemonade: Instead of a classic lemonade use pink lemonade to give the drink a unique and sweeter taste.
- Simple Syrup: Sweeten homemade lemonade or store-bought with a simple syrup for more great flavours. Try strawberry, mint or lavender!
- Herbs: For an herbaceous note, add fresh herbs like basil or rosemary to the tea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ideal proportions for iced tea and lemonade in an Arnold Palmer?
This recipe is equal parts iced tea and lemonade. For one serving, half a cup of iced tea and half a cup of lemonade are ideal proportions. However, you can also try with a 2:1 ratio, more iced tea than lemonade.
Can you make an Arnold Palmer with store-bought iced tea and lemonade?
Yes, if you would like to save on time and make this drink quicker, you can use store-bought iced tea and/or lemonade.
What type of tea is best used to create a homemade Arnold Palmer?
A basic black tea is best when you are trying to create the original recipe. However, you can also try it with green tea or herbal teas, including fun tea blends.
More Tea Lemonade Recipes:
Arnold Palmer (Iced Tea Lemonade)
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons loose leaf black tea or 2 black tea bags
- ½ cup water freshly boiled
- ½ cup lemonade sweetened (store-bought or homemade)
- ice cubes
- lemon slices and sprig of mint for garnish
Instructions
Make unsweetened iced tea:
- Steep black tea (loose leaf or tea bags) in freshly boiled water for 5 minutes.
- After steeping, strain or remove the tea bags. Let the tea cool then place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
Assemble the drink:
- In a tall glass with ice and lemon slices, add lemonade then the unsweetened tea. Pour the tea very slowly over the ice cubes to create a layered drink.
- Garnish the rim of the glass with a lemon slice and fresh mint before serving or enjoying.
Save this quick iced tea lemonade recipe on Pinterest so you can make it later. Click here and pin it!
