If you’re looking for a refreshing and delicious drink recipe to enjoy on a hot summer day, look no further than ‘Arnold Palmer’. This classic beverage is a simple mix of sweet tea and lemonade, named after the legendary golfer who popularized it. And as someone who absolutely loves both lemonade and sweet tea, this recipe is perfect for satisfying both of these cravings! So stick around and I’ll show you how to make the perfect Arnold Palmer from scratch, with some tips and variations to suit your taste.
A Brief History of the Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe
This sweet tea and lemonade recipe was invented by none other than Arnold Palmer himself, one of the greatest golfers of all time. According to Palmer, he first made the drink at home by adding a splash of lemonade to his iced tea, and liked it so much that he started ordering it at restaurants and golf courses. One day, in the late 1960s, a woman overheard him ordering the drink and asked for the same thing, saying “I’ll have that Arnold Palmer drink, too.” And thus, the drink’s name was born.
Since then, the sweet tea and lemonade Arnold Palmer recipe has become a staple of American cuisine, especially in the South, where sweet tea is widely consumed. It’s also a popular choice for golfers and sports fans, who associate it with Palmer’s legacy and charisma. The drink is so iconic that it even has its own trademark and logo, featuring a silhouette of Palmer’s golf swing.
Ingredients and Equipment
Now you know a bit about origins, it’s time to get ‘full swing’ into the recipe itself. To make the perfect Arnold Palmer iced tea, all you’ll need is a few very simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 4 cups of water
- 4 black tea bags (preferably Ceylon or Assam)
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
- 4 large lemons
- Ice cubes
You’ll also need the following equipment:
- A kettle or a pot
- A pitcher or a large jar
- A fine-mesh strainer
- A juicer or a fork
- A measuring cup and a spoon
- A knife and a cutting board
- Glasses for serving
Arnold Palmer Recipe Steps
Once you have all the correct ingredients ready and waiting, it’s time to get started! Follow along with these easy steps to make your own Arnold Palmer drink:
1. Sweet Tea Preparation
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a kettle or a pot.
- Turn off the heat and add 4 tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes, or longer if you like a stronger tea flavor.
- Remove the tea bags and stir in 1/2 cup of sugar until dissolved. You can adjust the amount of sugar according to your preference, or use a different sweetener like honey or agave nectar.
- Transfer the sweet tea to a pitcher or a large jar and let it cool slightly.
2. Lemonade Preparation
- Wash and dry 4 lemons. Cut them in half and squeeze the juice into a measuring cup. You should get about 1 cup of lemon juice.
- Strain the lemon juice through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any seeds and pulp.
- Add water to the lemon juice until you have 2 cups of liquid. You can adjust the amount of water according to how tart or diluted you like your lemonade.
- Taste the lemonade and add more sugar if needed. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.
3. Combining the Two
- Fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour 3/4 cup of sweet tea and 1/4 cup of lemonade over the ice. Stir to combine. This is the original Arnold Palmer ratio, but you can adjust it to your liking. Some people prefer a 50/50 mix, or even more lemonade than tea.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
The Arnold Palmer iced tea recipe is delicious on its own, but why not experiment and make it even better?! You can try changing some of the ingredients or adding additional ingredients to give it a unique twist. Here is few ways to customize and enhance your Arnold Palmer iced tea:
- Use different types of tea, such as green tea, oolong tea, or herbal tea. Each tea will give a different flavor and color to your drink. One of my favorite variations of this drink uses fruit tea and cold-brewing instead. Check out my strawberry lemonade cold brew recipe to find out more
- Use flavored lemonade, such as strawberry, raspberry, or peach. You can either buy ready-made lemonade or make your own by adding fresh or frozen fruit to the lemon juice and water mixture. For an even more unique and creamy twist, you could try using cream soda instead.
- Add a splash of tangerine juice, orange juice, or lime juice to your drink for a citrusy twist. Another great variation that uses orange juice is the Earl Grey Lemonade – A Simple And Zesty Recipe.
- Make a low-sugar or sugar-free Arnold Palmer by using unsweetened tea and lemonade, and sweetening them with a natural or artificial sweetener of your choice.
- Make a sparkling Arnold Palmer by using sparkling water instead of still water for the lemonade, or by topping your drink with club soda or seltzer.
Health and Dietary Information
Whilst this Arnold Palmer recipe is not the healthiest drink in the world, since it contains lots of sugar. It does contain a few benefits that might be good for you. Here are some of them:
- Tea is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect your cells from damage and reduce inflammation. Tea also contains caffeine, which can boost your energy and alertness.
- Lemon juice is a good source of vitamin C, which can help support your immune system and fight off infections. Lemon juice also has antibacterial and antiviral properties, and can help balance your pH levels and detoxify your body.
- Sugar provides a quick source of carbohydrates, which can fuel your brain and muscles. However, too much sugar can have negative effects on your health, such as weight gain, diabetes, and tooth decay. Therefore, it’s best to limit your sugar intake and use natural sweeteners whenever possible.
The Arnold Palmer recipe can also be easily adapted to different dietary needs and preferences. Here are some suggestions:
- To make it vegan, use a plant-based sweetener instead of sugar, such as maple syrup, agave nectar, or stevia.
- To make it keto-friendly, use a low-carb sweetener instead of sugar, such as erythritol, monk fruit, or xylitol.
- To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free tea brand, such as Twinings, Celestial Seasonings, or Lipton.
Conclusion
The Arnold Palmer recipe is a classic and refreshing beverage that you can easily make at home with just a few simple ingredients. Not only is It a great way to enjoy the flavors of sweet tea and lemonade, it also honors the legacy of the golf legend who created it!
What’s also great about it? It’s a versatile drink and you can customize and vary it according to your taste and mood. So why not try making your own Arnold Palmer today and share your own recipe and experience with us in the comments below!
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