History & Heritage
“Legendary golfer Arnold Palmer famously asked for a mix of strong iced tea and lemonade at a 1960s golf club bar, telling the waitress, "That's what I drink." Other patrons began ordering "that Palmer drink," and the name stuck. While recipes vary, Palmer preferred a tea-dominant ratio around 3:1. Bottled versions and fast‑food chains later cemented the non-alcoholic refresher as a summer staple.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Fill a highball glass with ice
Add iced tea and lemonade
Stir gently to combine
Garnish with a lemon wheel
Glassware
Built over ice in a highball glass
Garnish
Fresh slice
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
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Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Brew tea strong so it stands up to dilution
Use fresh-squeezed lemonade for brightness
Layer lemonade then tea for a two-tone look
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Arnold Palmer.
Half & Half
Equal parts tea and lemonade for a sweeter balance.
Changes
Winnie Palmer
Uses sweet tea instead of unsweetened for a sugarier sip.
Changes
John Daly
Spikes the classic with vodka for the 19th hole.
Changes
Southern John Daly
Bourbon and a sprig of mint give it a Southern drawl.
Changes
Juan Daly
Tequila adds an agave twist to the golfer's favorite.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
John Daly
The boozy Arnold Palmer—vodka with iced tea and lemonade over ice.
Juan Daly
A refreshing and deceptively simple tequila-based highball that represents a clever, colloquial evolution of the popular John Daly cocktail.
Blue Lagoon
Vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade for an electric-blue disco-era refresher.