How to Make an Arnold Palmer

A sweet and refreshing, non-alcoholic summertime beverage, the "Arnie" Palmer is almost as legendary as the golfing legend for which it's named. As a pro golfer, Arnold Palmer is legendary, having been the first to win the Masters four times, with 60 total PGA wins between 1954 and 1975.

Arnold Palmer's Own Arnie Palmer Recipe

Like other kid-friendly beverages such as the Shirley Temple and the Rob Roy, the Arnie Palmer is a non-alcoholic drink, lending to its sometimes classification as a so-called mocktail.

Ingredients

The basic Arnold Palmer recipe contains two main ingredients: iced tea and lemonade. It is widely believed that the two are mixed in equal parts, but in a recent ESPN video the real Arnie Palmer himself set the record straight, clarifying that the drink as he invented it contains 3 parts iced tea to 1 part lemonade. In a single glass, that would amount to filling the glass 3/4 of the way with iced tea and 1/4 of the way with lemonade.

How to Make an Arnold Palmer

The two liquid ingredients in the Arnie Palmer drink are poured over ice and served with a lemon wedge.

Usually an Arnie Palmer is served in a Collins glass or a highball glass, both of which are tall, narrow tumblers that resemble a standard pint glass in which beer on tap is traditionally served. A Collins glass, however, is a bit taller, containing 12-16 ounces versus a highball's 8-12 ounces.

To make a single serving of the drink, use about 5 ounces each of the two liquid ingredients. To make a party sized pitcher or punch bowl, use about 65 ounces each.

Variations

Lemon iced tea is best for a truly citrusy drink. If you use unsweetened iced tea, the drink may not be sweet enough and you might want to add some sugar to compensate. By the same token, if a traditional Arnie Palmer made from sweetened iced tea tastes too sweet for you, simply using unsweetened iced tea instead can help even out the flavor some.

You can also try adding new flavors that complement the tea and lemonade. This mint-lime iced tea puts a minty twist on this summer classic.

Energy in a Glass

Appropriate for a drink designed by a golfer for outdoor summertime activity, an Arnold Palmer is high in calories, sugar, sodium and carbohydrates with a little protein and almost no fat. This, some have found, makes for a perfect recipe for energy and electrolyte recovery during the heat and humidity of summer.

Tips

Remember that iced tea, unless you make it from herbal tea, is caffeinated. Keep this in mind when serving Arnie Palmers to children in order to monitor their caffeine intake and keep them from getting too hyper.

Traditionally a summertime drink—like golf is traditionally a summertime sport—an Arnie Palmer can really be enjoyed anytime for cool refreshment and sweet summery memories year-round.