Note: The information shown is Edamam's estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
An Arnold Palmer is a drink made of half tea and half lemonade and made famous by the golfer of the same name. This drink is as refreshing as it comes. We make our own simple lemonade here and sweeten the tea with honey for a bit of a floral note. Add more honey to make the drink a little sweeter if you like, but we think it’s just perfect.
Have you made this yet? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
Make lemonade: In a small pot over medium heat, bring 1 cup water and sugar to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Let boil for 2 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Combine simple syrup, remaining 2 cups water, and lemon juice.
Make tea: In a medium pot over medium-high heat, bring water to a boil. Add honey and stir to dissolve. Turn off heat and add tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature.
In a large pitcher, combine lemonade and tea. Pour into glasses over ice and garnish with mint and lemon wedges.
This recipe was originally published in Delish US.
The classic Arnold Palmer ratio is one part lemonade to one part iced tea, creating an even 50/50 balance of tart and sweet. However, the golfer himself famously preferred a ratio closer to three parts tea to one part lemonade for a less sugary, tea-forward profile. You can easily adjust this recipe to your preference by increasing the lemonade for a sweeter treat or adding more tea for a more refreshing, tannic bite.
Cloudiness in tea is caused by “tea tannins” precipitating when hot tea is cooled too rapidly in the refrigerator. To ensure a crystal-clear Arnold Palmer, let your honey-sweetened tea cool completely to room temperature on the counter before combining it with the lemonade or chilling it. If your tea does turn cloudy, a small splash of boiling water can often restore its clarity by re-dissolving the tannins.
For a “featured snippet” worthy drink, fresh-squeezed lemon juice and high-quality steeped black tea bags are essential for the brightest flavor profile. Bottled lemon juice often contains preservatives that add a metallic aftertaste, while instant tea lacks the floral complexity provided by the honey in this recipe. Using the simple syrup method in Step 1 ensures the sugar is fully dissolved, avoiding the gritty texture often found in shortcuts.
Creating a simple syrup by boiling water and sugar together (Step 1) ensures the sweetener is fully emulsified and stable, meaning it won’t settle at the bottom of your pitcher. Granulated sugar does not dissolve well in cold liquids, often leaving the last glass of your Arnold Palmer syrupy and the first glass too tart. This technique results in a consistent, professional-grade sweetness throughout the entire batch.
Store your Arnold Palmer in a glass pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3–5 days for optimal freshness. For the best quality, store the drink without ice to prevent dilution and add the fresh mint and lemon garnishes only when you are ready to serve. If you notice the flavor fading, a quick stir will reintegrate the honey-tea and lemon layers, as natural sediment may settle over time.
