Arnold Palmer spiked is a popular drink made by combining iced tea, lemonade, and alcohol. The classic non-alcoholic version was created by golf legend Arnold Palmer and has been loved for decades. The spiked variety simply adds vodka or rum to the tea-lemonade mixture.
But with many people avoiding added sugars, a common question is whether the Arnold Palmer spiked drink contains sugar. There are a few factors to consider when determining the sugar content of this mixed beverage.
Sugar in Iced Tea
One of the main components of Arnold Palmer spiked is iced tea. The sugar content of iced tea can vary greatly depending on how it is made:
Plain brewed iced tea
Plain iced tea that is brewed from tea bags or loose leaf tea contains no inherent sugars. Simply steeping tea leaves or bags in hot water produces an unsweetened tea that can then be cooled over ice. Plain brewed iced tea does not have any sugars added.
Sweetened iced tea
Many restaurants and bottled iced tea products contain added sugar in the form of things like high fructose corn syrup or cane sugar. These pre-sweetened iced teas can contain 35-45 grams of added sugar per 12 oz serving. So sweet tea made with sugar would contribute added sugars to an Arnold Palmer spiked drink.
Natural sugars
While plain brewed iced tea does not contain added sugars, it does have small amounts of natural sugars from the tea leaves themselves. Black tea gets its natural sweetness from compounds like theaflavins and thearubigins that form when the tea leaves are oxidized.
So while unsweetened iced tea does not have any added sugars, it can contain between 0-15 calories per 8 oz serving from naturally occurring sugars in the tea leaves.
Sugar in Lemonade
The other main component of Arnold Palmer spiked is lemonade. The sugar content of lemonade also varies based on homemade vs store-bought:
Homemade lemonade
Freshly squeezed lemon juice mixed with water contains no inherent sugars or calories. However, many homemade lemonade recipes call for adding granulated white sugar or simple syrup to sweeten the tart lemon juice. Recipes can include anywhere from 1/4 cup to 1 cup of added sugar per 4 servings of lemonade. So homemade lemonade can contribute a significant amount of added sugar to an Arnold Palmer beverage.
Store-bought lemonade
Prepared lemonades from bottles, powdered mixes, or restaurant fountain drinks contain added sugars for sweetening. Bottled lemonades like Minute Maid have about 44g sugar per 12oz. Powdered mixes like Country Time have about 26g sugar per 8oz serving when prepared according to instructions. And restaurant fountain drink lemonades can have even higher added sugar levels, in the range of 60-70g per 12oz serving.
So store-bought lemonade products contain significant amounts of added sugar.
Natural sugars
Lemons naturally contain small amounts of sugars, around 1.5 grams per ounce of juice. But the tart citric acid flavor overwhelms the minimal natural sweetness. So the natural sugar content of lemon juice is negligible compared to added sweeteners.
Sugar in Alcohol
The alcohol added to make Arnold Palmer a spiked beverage also contributes to the total sugar content:
Vodka
Most vodka is distilled from fermented grains or potatoes so it contains no sugar or carbohydrates after the distillation process. Plain vodka has 0 grams of sugar per serving, though some flavored vodkas may contain added sugar.
Rum
Like vodka, clear rums are usually distilled from fermented sugarcane so they contain minimal sugars after distilling. Spiced and flavored rums may have added sugars from flavors and spices. On average, a 1.5 oz serving of rum contains about 0-1 g of sugar.
So while the alcohols in Arnold Palmer spiked add calories, they contribute little to no sugar themselves.
Pre-made Arnold Palmer Products
There are many ready-to-drink Arnold Palmer products available in bottles and cans. These pre-mixed beverages simplify grabbing an Arnold Palmer on the go:
Arizona Arnold Palmer
A popular bottled version from Arizona Beverage Company contains 42g added sugar per 12 oz serving.
Pure Leaf Arnold Palmer
This ready-to-drink tea brand offers an Arnold Palmer style drink with 30g added sugar per bottle.
Ocean Spray Arnold Palmer
The Ocean Spray version contains 35g added sugar per 12 oz serving.
Peace Tea Arnold Palmer
This ready-made Arnold Palmer contains 36g added sugar per 23 oz can.
So while these bottled Arnold Palmer drinks offer convenience, they also pack a hefty dose of added sugars. Checking labels to find lighter versions with less added sugar is advised.
Sugar Content in Homemade Arnold Palmer Spiked
When making Arnold Palmer spiked at home, you control the sugar content based on your ingredients:
Using plain iced tea and lemon juice
Choosing unsweetened brewed iced tea and freshly squeezed lemon juice minimizes added sugars. The only sugars come from natural sources like tea leaves and lemon juice, at about 1-2 grams per serving.
Adding simple syrup
Some recipes call for muddling lemon wedges in simple syrup before mixing the lemonade. Simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water dissolved together over heat. A common ratio is 1 cup water to 1 cup sugar, which adds about 200g of sugar. Just a small amount of simple syrup can add 10+ grams of sugar per serving.
Using sweetened iced tea
If the iced tea base contains added sugar from sweeteners, this contributes a significant amount of added sugar too. Sweetened iced tea can have 35-45g sugar per glass, which then sweetens the whole Arnold Palmer. Read labels carefully to know how much sugar is in the tea.
Adding sugar when mixing
Instead of simple syrup, some directly add white sugar or other sweeteners when mixing up the lemonade. Directly adding 1-2 tablespoons of granulated sugar can add 12-24g of sugar per serving.
So the less added sweeteners used in the from-scratch version, the lower the sugar content will be. Using unsweetened ingredients is best for limiting added sugars.
Sugar Content in Restaurant Arnold Palmer
Ordering an Arnold Palmer spiked at a bar or restaurant makes getting this drink easy. But sugar content will depend on their recipe:
| Restaurant | Sugar Content |
|---|---|
| Starbucks | 34g per 16oz |
| Chick-fil-A | 44g per 32oz |
| McDonald’s | 69g per 32oz |
| Wendy’s | 82g per 32oz |
As the table shows, sugar content of restaurant Arnold Palmers varies widely from 34-82g per large serving. Ordering “light” or “unsweetened” can help reduce the amount of added sugar when dining out. Checking nutrition info online can give sugar numbers before you order too.
Making Your Own Low Sugar Arnold Palmer Spiked
Here are some tips for creating your own low sugar Arnold Palmer alcoholic drink:
– Use plain iced tea and fresh squeezed lemons for the base
– Avoid adding simple syrups, sugar or other sweeteners
– Add vodka or rum for the spirit – they contain little to no sugar
– For natural sweetness, add fruit like orange slices, berries, peaches, etc
– Try using stevia or monk fruit if you need a light sweetener
– Add fresh mint, ginger or herbs for flavor over sugar
– Control portions and limit high sugar mix-ins like sugary juices or sodas
With some simple tweaks, you can enjoy delicious Arnold Palmer spiked drinks without all the added sugar found in pre-made versions.
Sugar Substitutes in Arnold Palmer
To reduce sugar content of Arnold Palmers while keeping the sweet flavor, some use artificial sweeteners:
Aspartame
Aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet) is added to some low-calorie iced teas and diet lemonade. It provides sweetness without sugar’s calories and carbs. However, some find it has an aftertaste.
Sucralose
Splenda is a popular sucralose-based sweetener used in drinks. It mixes well into Arnold Palmers made with diet lemonade and is 600 times sweeter than sugar.
Saccharin
Sweet’N Low is a classic pink packet sweetener that uses saccharin. It has a bitter aftertaste for some, but can lightly sweeten unsweetened Arnold Palmers.
Acesulfame potassium
Ace-K is often blended with other sweeteners. It is 200 times sweeter than sugar and used in many diet drinks. It leaves a mild bitter residue.
Stevia
Stevia extracts like Rebiana offer low calorie sweetness from natural origins. They mix easily into drinks with no aftertaste and come in liquid, powdered, and packet forms.
Monk fruit
Monk fruit sweeteners contain natural compounds called mogrosides that provide a zero-calorie sweetness similar to sugar. The sweetness works well in lemonade drinks.
So diet drink products and sweetener packets provide options for reducing Arnold Palmer sugar levels. Combining stevia and monk fruit can provide the most natural, sugar-like taste.
Sugar Alcohol Sweeteners
Sugar alcohols like erythritol, xylitol, and maltitol are used to sweeten some low sugar drinks. Though they contain fewer calories than sugar, they are less sweet so may need to be blended with other sweeteners. They also tend to cause digestive side effects like bloating when consumed in excess.
Agave Nectar
Some use agave nectar as an alternative natural sweetener in Arnold Palmers. Though it doesn’t spike blood sugar as drastically as plain sugar, agave nectar is very high in fructose and calories. It lacks nutrients and is not significantly healthier than sugar.
Honey
Honey can add some sweetness, flavor, and nutrients when used sparingly in Arnold Palmers. It mixes well into the lemonade base. However, honey is still high in sugar and calories, so it does not save many calories over sugar.
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup contains some minerals like calcium and zinc, but it is still high in sugar. Using just a small amount adds nutty, earthy sweetness to Arnold Palmers. But maple syrup has a strong flavor that can overpower the lemon and tea notes.
Fruit Juice Concentrates
To naturally sweeten and flavor Arnold Palmer drinks, fruit juice concentrates like orange, pineapple, apple, cranberry, and grape can be mixed into the lemonade base or as complements to the tea. This adds nutrients and sweetness, but juice concentrates still have high sugar content.
Conclusion
Arnold Palmer spiked drinks can contain moderate to high amounts of added sugar depending on the recipe. Pre-made canned versions tend to be highest. Making your own allows control of added sweeteners. Choosing unsweetened ingredients is the best way to keep sugar content low. Adding fruit, herbs, and spices can allow the natural flavors to shine through without added sugar. Vodka and rum add alcohol without significantly increasing sugars. Overall, it is possible to create refreshing Arnold Palmer cocktails without excess added sweeteners with mindful recipes and ingredients.