Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe: Classic, Spiked & From Scratch 

An Arnold Palmer is a half-and-half mix of unsweetened iced tea and lemonade, named after golf legend Arnold Palmer. To make one, fill a glass with ice, pour in equal parts cold brewed tea and lemonade (about 4 ounces each), stir, and garnish with a lemon slice. The whole process takes under 5 minutes, and the drink runs roughly 33-100 calories per serving depending on your lemonade.

What Is an Arnold Palmer and Why Is It Named After a Golfer?

An Arnold Palmer is a non-alcoholic drink made from equal parts unsweetened iced tea and lemonade. It’s named after the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, who reportedly ordered the combination regularly during the 1960s. As the story goes, a woman overheard him ordering it at a restaurant and asked for “that Arnold Palmer drink”  and the name stuck.

The drink also goes by a few other names, including “half and half,” “fifty-fifty,” and, in some regions, “Swamp Water.” A sweeter variation made with sweet tea instead of unsweetened tea is often called a “Winnie Palmer,” after Arnold’s wife.

What Makes a Perfect Arnold Palmer?

The magic is in the ratio and the ingredients, not the technique. Here’s what separates a great Arnold Palmer from a mediocre one:

• Equal parts, always. A true Arnold Palmer uses a 1:1 ratio of tea to lemonade. Straying too far in either direction throws off the balance.
• Unsweetened black tea. Since lemonade already brings plenty of sugar, unsweetened tea keeps the drink from becoming cloying. Save sweet tea for a Winnie Palmer.
• Fresh, cold ingredients. Freshly brewed tea and real lemonade beat bottled versions every time, though quality store-bought options work in a pinch.
• Ice added last. Adding ice too early dilutes the drink as it melts, watering down the flavor before you even take a sip.

Classic Arnold Palmer Recipe (Non-Alcoholic)

Ingredients

• Ice
• 4 ounces lemonade (homemade or store-bought)
• 4 ounces unsweetened brewed black tea, chilled
• Lemon slice, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Fill a tall glass halfway with ice.
2. Pour in the lemonade and unsweetened tea.
3. Stir gently and garnish with a lemon slice.

Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe From Scratch

Making everything from scratch  including sun tea  brings out the drink’s fullest flavor and is how many families have made it for generations.

Ingredients

• 7 cups filtered water
• 7 standard black tea bags (Lipton or similar), or 4 family-sized bags
• 1/2 of a 6-ounce can frozen lemonade concentrate (or homemade lemonade: lemons, sugar, and water)

Instructions

1. Combine the water and tea bags in a large glass container. Cover and set in direct sunlight for about 2 hours, or until the tea turns a deep amber color.
2. Stir in the lemonade concentrate (or homemade lemonade) until fully blended.
3. Refrigerate until chilled, then serve over ice with a lemon wedge.

Tip: Adjust the lemonade amount if you prefer a sweeter or more tart drink. For clear, unwatered-down ice, freeze a second batch of tea into ice cubes.

Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe With Vodka (The John Daly)

Add vodka to a classic Arnold Palmer and you get the John Daly, named after golfer John Daly  a nod to his reputation both on and off the course.

Ingredients

• 1.5 to 2 ounces vodka
• 2 ounces lemonade
• 2 ounces unsweetened iced tea
• Lemon slice, for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Pour in the vodka, lemonade, and iced tea.
3. Stir gently and top with a lemon slice.

For a pitcher (serves 8): Combine 12 ounces vodka, 16 ounces lemonade, and 16 ounces iced tea over a tray of ice cubes, then garnish with lemon slices.

Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe Alcoholic (Bourbon Version)

Bourbon offers a warmer, smokier alternative to vodka in a spiked Arnold Palmer.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces unsweetened tea, freshly brewed
• 2 ounces lemonade (homemade or a mix like Country Time)
• 2 ounces bourbon or whiskey
• Ice
• Mint leaf, for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a glass about halfway with ice.
2. Pour in the lemonade, bourbon, and tea, in that order.
3. Stir well, add a straw, and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Choose bourbon if you want a richer, slightly sweeter cocktail with more depth of flavor. Choose vodka if you’d rather keep the tea and lemonade flavors front and center without added warmth from the spirit.

Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe UK: What’s Different?

Making an Arnold Palmer in the UK requires one key adjustment: “lemonade” means something different across the pond. In the US, lemonade is a still, tart drink made from lemon juice, sugar, and water. In the UK, “lemonade” typically refers to a carbonated, lemon-flavored soft drink similar to Sprite.

To recreate the authentic American-style Arnold Palmer in the UK:

• Look for still, cloudy lemonade (brands like Belvoir or Bottlegreen work well), rather than the fizzy, clear variety.
• Alternatively, make your own by diluting fresh lemon juice with water and sugar to taste.
• Use standard British breakfast tea or any unsweetened black tea, brewed and chilled, following the same equal-parts ratio.

The rest of the method stays the same: equal parts chilled tea and still lemonade, served over ice with a lemon slice.

Arnold Palmer Drink Mix: The Quick Version

For a faster alternative to brewing tea and squeezing lemons, a powdered or concentrate-based drink mix works well.

Ingredients

• 1 packet powdered unsweetened iced tea mix
• 1 packet powdered lemonade mix (or frozen lemonade concentrate)
• Cold water, per package instructions
• Ice

Instructions

1. Prepare the iced tea mix and lemonade mix separately, according to package directions.
2. Combine in equal parts in a pitcher or glass.
3. Serve over ice with a lemon slice.

This method is ideal for large batches at picnics or tailgates, since powdered mixes store easily and don’t require refrigeration until they’re prepared.

Tips for Making the Best Arnold Palmer

• Brew tea strong. Since it’s diluted with lemonade, tea brewed a bit stronger than usual holds its flavor better.
• Taste your lemonade first. If it’s especially sweet or tart, adjust the tea-to-lemonade ratio to compensate.
• Make ice cubes from tea. This keeps your drink from getting watered down as the ice melts.
• Batch it for parties. Multiply the recipe and serve from a large pitcher or a drink station with separate tea and lemonade containers so guests can mix to taste.
• Avoid the most common mistake: using sweetened tea and sweet lemonade together, which results in an overly sugary drink that masks the tea’s flavor.

Serving Suggestions

The Arnold Palmer is a natural fit for backyard barbecues, Fourth of July cookouts, golf tournaments (naturally), and any hot afternoon that calls for something refreshing. It pairs well with grilled foods  burgers, ribs, and chicken  and lighter fare like pasta salads and sandwiches. For a party, serve in mason jars with striped straws and lemon wheel garnishes for a casual, summery presentation.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Arnold Palmer drinks (without alcohol) can be refrigerated for up to one week. Store the tea and lemonade separately if you’re making a big batch ahead of time, and combine just before serving to keep the flavors fresh. Don’t add ice until you’re ready to drink it, since melting ice will dilute the mixture over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in an Arnold Palmer?
A classic 8-ounce non-alcoholic Arnold Palmer has approximately 33-100 calories, depending on whether you use homemade or sweetened lemonade. The vodka version (John Daly) runs 149-182 calories, and the bourbon version has about 215 calories per serving.

How long does an Arnold Palmer last in the fridge?
A prepared Arnold Palmer stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to one week. For best results, store the tea and lemonade separately and combine them just before serving.

Can I make an Arnold Palmer ahead of time for a party?
Yes. Brew the tea and prepare the lemonade in advance, storing each separately in the fridge. Combine them right before serving, and add ice only at serving time to prevent dilution.

What’s the difference between an Arnold Palmer and a John Daly?
An Arnold Palmer is non-alcoholic, made from equal parts tea and lemonade. A John Daly is the same drink with vodka added, named after golfer John Daly.

What’s the difference between an Arnold Palmer and a Winnie Palmer?
An Arnold Palmer uses unsweetened tea, while a Winnie Palmer  named after Arnold Palmer’s wife  uses sweet tea instead, resulting in a sweeter drink.

Can I use sweet tea instead of unsweetened tea?
Yes, though the drink becomes a Winnie Palmer rather than a classic Arnold Palmer. Reduce the lemonade slightly to avoid an overly sweet result.

What alcohol works best in a spiked Arnold Palmer?
Vodka (John Daly) and bourbon are the two most common choices. Vodka keeps the tea and lemonade flavors dominant, while bourbon adds a smokier, richer note.

Is there a UK version of the Arnold Palmer?
Yes. Since UK “lemonade” is typically carbonated, use still, cloudy lemonade or homemade lemon juice, sugar, and water instead of fizzy lemonade to match the traditional US recipe.

Can I make an Arnold Palmer with a powdered drink mix?
Yes. Prepare powdered unsweetened iced tea and powdered lemonade separately per package instructions, then combine in equal parts over ice.

How do I scale an Arnold Palmer recipe for a crowd?
Multiply the tea and lemonade in equal ratios  for example, a pitcher serving 8 people uses about 16 ounces each of tea and lemonade (or 16 ounces each plus 12 ounces of vodka for a John Daly pitcher).