The Best Lemonade Substitute To Use When Making An Arnold Palmer

You want to make an Arnold Palmer at home that the late legendary king of golf would be proud of but just ran out of lemonade. Fret not because the best lemonade substitute for this delicious drink is probably already in your refrigerator. If you're thinking apple or orange juice, you're close. The perfect substitute for lemonade is actually cranberry juice, thanks to its matching sweetness, tang, and tartiness. 

But let's say you're not too keen on the idea of drinking a red-tinged Arnold Palmer. In that case, you can also use white cranberry juice for a flavorful drink that won't stain and better mirrors the aesthetics of this traditional refreshment. Once you pick your cranberry juice brand of choice, you're ready to make your next batch of Arnold Palmer.  

First, add ice to a pitcher. Since another name for the drink is "half and half," you'll be adding a 1:1 ratio of brewed black tea to white or red cranberry juice to the pitcher. For a more lemony flavor, feel free to mix in some freshly squeezed lemon juice or add slices of lemon. Give the mixture a good mix before pouring it into chilled glasses to enjoy. 

The beauty and lasting appeal of this beverage lie in the drink's versatility and potential for variations and customization. For example, there's an easy way to give your Arnold Palmer a hint of mint.  Make the cranberry juice version, then you can either make a simple syrup using melted sugar and fresh mint leaves or crush the mint leaves directly in the drink.

Let's say you want to give your cranberry Arnold Palmer a boozy upgrade. Making a spiked version is easy, especially when there are so many good liquors to mix with cranberry juice, including rum, vodka, and gin. For the adults, simply add a shot of liquor to mix into each cold glass of Arnold Palmer. The drink will taste clean with a shot of vodka or add rum if you crave a hint of warmth and spice.