The Perfect Drink to the Tee (Tea)
Monday, May 19th, 2008A few months back my friends and I were talking about Arnold Palmer (the drink, not the golfer) and wondered how one gets a drink named after them.
Apparently, it used to be known as the “half and half” but because the golf legend once said it was his favorite drink, the moniker stuck. Nowadays, you can go to any restaurant and the Arnold (Arnie) Palmer is immediately identified with the refreshing half lemondade - half iced tea beverage.
I have made a concoction that is a salute to Mr. Palmer’s drink of choice. Combine Simply Limeade (great bitter to tart ratio with just a smidgen of pulp) with Jasmine Tea (my personal favorite is Stassen Pure Jasmine Green Tea). When you brew the tea, the floral aroma of the tea instantly makes the entire kitchen smell divine. You may want to steep some extra just so you can savor the tea by itself. Pour the tea (about 3 cups) in a half-full bottle of Simply Limeade. Chill it for a few hours and remember to shake it before you drink it because the pulp does settle to the bottom. You’ll have the perfect summer afternoon drink…I promise. The jasmine notes blend beautifully with the tartness and cuts the bitterness of the lime significantly.
If you’re a fan of the Arnold Palmer, then I guarantee this is a great twist to a classic drink. And who knows, maybe someday, when you’re ordering the “Anita Chu,” a tall glass of limeade/jasmine tea will be in front of you, and you’ll know exactly where the name came from.
