Arnold Palmer Half and Half

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The Arnold Palmer Half and Half is an iconic American refresher that pairs freshly squeezed lemonade with cold, briskly steeped iced tea. Named after the legendary golfer who famously ordered this exact combination on hot afternoons, it strikes the ideal balance of sweet, tart, and tannic. It remains the unofficial drink of summer picnics, backyard barbecues, and porch sitting across the United States.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (estimated)

• 95 kcalCalories
• 0 gFat
• 0 gSaturated Fat
• 25 gCarbs
• 0 gFiber
• 23 gSugar
• 0 gProtein
• 10 mgSodium
• 75 mgPotassium
• 12 mgCalcium
• 0.1 mgIron
• 30 mgVitamin C
• 0 mcgVitamin A

Ingredients

For the homemade lemonade

• 1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice (about 6-8 large lemons)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 cups cold filtered water
• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (optional, for brightness)

For the iced tea

• 6 black tea bags (such as Lipton or Luzianne)
• 4 cups cold filtered water, divided
• 2-4 tablespoons simple syrup (optional, to taste)
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda (optional, to soften bitterness)

For assembling the drink

• 4 cups ice cubes
• Lemon wheels, for garnish
• Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish
• 1 cup cold sparkling water (optional, for a spritzy top-up)

Directions

1. Juice the lemons: roll each lemon firmly on the countertop under your palm, then halve and squeeze to yield 1 cup of juice. Strain out seeds and any large pulp.
2. Make the lemonade: in a 2-quart pitcher, whisk together the lemon juice, sugar, and lemon zest until the sugar mostly dissolves, then stir in 3 cups of cold water. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 30 minutes.
3. Brew the iced tea: bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil, then remove from the heat and add the tea bags along with the baking soda, if using. Steep for 5 to 7 minutes for a robust, classic flavor—longer steeping will turn the tea bitter.
4. Dilute and chill: lift out the tea bags without squeezing them and discard. Stir in the remaining 2 cups of cold water and sweeten with simple syrup to taste. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold.
5. Mix the half and half: in a large pitcher filled halfway with ice, pour in 4 cups of the chilled lemonade and 4 cups of the chilled iced tea. Stir gently to combine.
6. Taste and adjust: sip the base and tweak the ratio toward more lemonade for extra tartness or more tea for a bolder, more tannic finish.
7. Serve: fill four tall glasses with fresh ice, ladle or pour the Arnold Palmer over the top, and finish with a splash of sparkling water if you like bubbles. Garnish each glass with a lemon wheel and a sprig of fresh mint.
8. Store separately: keep leftover lemonade and iced tea in covered pitchers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, mixing only what you'll drink right away so the citrus flavor stays bright.

Cook’s Notes

• Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice—bottled juice gives a flat, overly tart result that cannot be saved with extra sugar.
• Luzianne or Lipton tea bags are the traditional American choices and deliver the brisk, slightly malty flavor Arnold Palmer himself favored.
• The 'half and half' ratio is a personal choice; the golfer reportedly preferred his drink closer to 60% lemonade and 40% iced tea.
• For an adult version sometimes called a 'John Daly,' add 1.5 oz of vodka or bourbon per glass.
• Make a quick simple syrup by simmering equal parts sugar and water until clear; this dissolves easily into cold drinks without grittiness.

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