Technique
Chill both components before pouring them over a full glass of ice, then stir briefly. Starting cold limits dilution and keeps the first and last sips closer in flavor, especially on a warm day.
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Arnold Palmer
A timeless half-iced-tea, half-lemonade mocktail named after the legendary golfer. Refreshing, simple, and endlessly satisfying.
Directions
- 1Fill a tall glass with ice.
- 2Pour in equal parts iced tea and lemonade.
- 3Stir gently and garnish with a lemon wedge.
TonicDB editorial guide
Make a better Arnold Palmer
The Arnold Palmer works because brisk tea reins in sweet-tart lemonade while the lemonade softens the tea’s tannic edge. Equal parts are a dependable starting point, but the final balance depends on how strong the tea is and how sweet the lemonade is.
Serving
A tall glass and a lemon wedge are all this drink needs. Brew the tea a little stronger than you would serve it plain so its flavor remains clear after the lemonade and melting ice are added.
What to avoid
Warm tea melts the ice immediately and produces a weak drink. Over-steeping is not the answer to stronger tea, because it can add harshness; use more tea leaves or bags for the same brewing time instead.
Try a variation
Shift the ratio toward tea for a drier drink or toward lemonade for a sweeter one. Fresh mint can add aroma, but add it as a garnish rather than muddling it into the clean tea-and-lemon mixture.
These notes explain how to execute and adapt the recipe shown above. Ingredients and serving traditions vary, so taste and adjust thoughtfully.
Contributed by @alfg