The Arnold Palmer: Iced Tea, Lemonade, and a Golf Legend

The Arnold Palmer is the most famous non-alcoholic drink in American sporting culture — a simple, perfect combination of iced tea and lemonade, named after one of the greatest golfers who ever lived. It is a drink born not in a bar or a laboratory but on a patio in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, mixed by a man who wanted something refreshing after a round of golf. Its journey from a personal habit to a nationally bottled beverage is one of the most charming stories in American food and drink.

Arnold Palmer (1929–2016) was one of the most accomplished and popular golfers in the history of the sport. Nicknamed "The King," Palmer won 62 PGA Tour titles, including seven major championships, and was the first golfer to earn one million dollars in career prize money. He was also, by all accounts, a man of genuine warmth and accessibility — the kind of champion who would mix his own drink and explain it to a stranger at a bar.

The drink's origin story, as Palmer himself told it, begins at home in Latrobe, where he was in the habit of mixing iced tea and lemonade together for refreshment. The famous public moment came in the 1960s at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida — the course Palmer would later purchase and make his winter home. Palmer ordered his usual mixture of iced tea and lemonade at the bar. A woman sitting nearby overheard, pointed, and said, "I'll have that Arnold Palmer drink." The name stuck.

Palmer himself was specific about the ratio: it was not a 50/50 split. He preferred approximately three parts iced tea to one part lemonade — the tea should dominate, with the lemonade providing brightness and sweetness as an accent. In a 2012 video interview, Palmer demonstrated making the drink and confirmed that the ratio leaned heavily toward iced tea.

About the Ingredients

The quality of an Arnold Palmer depends entirely on the quality of its two components. **Iced tea** should be brewed fresh — not from a bottle. Black tea (such as Lipton or, better, Harney & Sons or Twinings) is the classic choice. The tea should be brewed strong, as it will be diluted by ice and lemonade.

Lemonade should be made from fresh lemons — never from a mix or a bottle. The ideal lemonade is simple: fresh lemon juice, water, and sugar (or simple syrup), in a ratio that balances tartness and sweetness. In The Raw organic cane sugar or a mild honey work well.

Ingredients (serves 6): For the iced tea: - 6 black tea bags (Lipton, Harney & Sons, or Twinings) - 4 cups boiling water - 2 cups cold water - Ice

For the lemonade: - 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6–8 lemons) - ½ cup granulated sugar (or simple syrup for faster dissolving) - 3 cups cold water

For the Iced Tea: Steep tea bags in boiling water for 5 minutes (no longer — over-steeping produces bitterness and tannin). Remove bags. Stir in cold water. Sweeten lightly if desired (the lemonade provides the sweetness). Chill at least 2 hours.

For the Lemonade: Dissolve sugar in 1 cup warm water. Add lemon juice and remaining 2 cups cold water. Stir well. Taste — it should be bright, tart, and pleasantly sweet. Chill at least 1 hour.

Instructions: Fill tall glasses with ice. Pour iced tea to fill ¾ of the glass. Top with lemonade — the lemonade, being lighter, will create a beautiful pale-yellow layer over the darker amber tea. Do not stir; the gradient is part of the drink's appeal. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a sprig of fresh mint.

The classic Arnold Palmer ratio is approximately 3:1 iced tea to lemonade. Adjust to taste — some prefer a 50/50 split, but Palmer himself preferred the tea-forward version.

Batch (serves 12): - 1 gallon iced tea (double the recipe above) - 1 quart lemonade - Set out a pitcher of each alongside a bowl of ice and lemon wheels. Guests mix their own.

Variations: - Add a splash of bourbon for an "Arnold Palmer with a Kick" (also known as a John Daly — named after another golfer, though this version is alcoholic). - Replace black tea with Tazo Zen Green Tea for a lighter, more caffeinated version. - Add 2 tablespoons of fresh mint simple syrup per batch for a Mint Arnold Palmer of added freshness.

Pairing: The Arnold Palmer is the classic American summer drink — it belongs at barbecues, picnics, golf outings, and brunches. Its tea-and-lemon profile pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, sandwiches, potato salad, and any classic American cookout food. It is equally excellent alongside Southern brunch dishes like biscuits and gravy or chicken and waffles.

Pro Tips: Brew the tea at the correct strength — too weak and the drink tastes like lemonade-flavoured water; too strong and the tannins overwhelm the lemon. The ideal tea should be robust enough to hold its own against the lemonade but not bitter. Always use fresh lemons for the lemonade — bottled lemon juice lacks the aromatic oils from the peel that give fresh lemonade its distinctive fragrance. Make both components well in advance and chill thoroughly — an Arnold Palmer served warm is a sad thing.

Reference Links: - Wikipedia — Arnold Palmer (drink): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Palmer_(drink) - Golfweek — Arnold Palmer Drink's Journey to Fame: golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/pga/2026/03/07/arnold-palmer-drinks-25-year-journey-to-fame/89018348007 - Bay Hill Club and Lodge: bayhill.com - AriZona Beverages — Arnold Palmer: drinkarnoldpalmer.com - LiveAbout — Arnold Palmer Drink History: liveabout.com/arnold-palmer-drink-1562658