How many calories are in Arnold Palmer tea?

January 2, 2026 •

3 min read

According to Arizona's official nutritional information, a 12-ounce serving of their classic Arnold Palmer Half & Half contains 120 calories. This popular blend of iced tea and lemonade prompts many to question exactly how many calories are in Arnold Palmer tea, depending on how it's prepared and what brand is chosen.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for an Arnold Palmer beverage varies significantly depending on the brand and sugar content, ranging from 120 calories in a standard 12oz serving of Arizona Half & Half to zero calories in diet and sugar-free versions.

Key Points

Arizona Classic: A 12 oz serving of Arizona's standard Arnold Palmer Half & Half contains 120 calories.
Arizona Zero: For a zero-calorie option, Arizona offers a version sweetened with artificial sweeteners.
Homemade Calories: The calorie count for a homemade Arnold Palmer depends entirely on the type and quantity of sweetener used, ranging from very low to several hundred calories per serving.
Sugar is the Primary Source: In traditional and standard versions, the sugar in the lemonade is the main contributor to the total calorie count.
Healthier Alternatives: You can make a low-calorie Arnold Palmer at home using unsweetened iced tea and a zero-calorie sweetener to control sugar intake.
Lite Option: Arizona also produces an Arnold Palmer Lite with 80 calories per 12 oz, which has reduced sugar compared to the original.

A Tale of Two Beverages: Understanding the Calorie Differences

The iconic Arnold Palmer, a refreshing mix of iced tea and lemonade, has a calorie count that is far from uniform. The total calories hinge on several factors, including the ratio of tea to lemonade, the type and amount of sweetener, and whether it's a store-bought version or a homemade concoction. In essence, the sweetness is the most significant contributor to the calorie load.

Popular Store-Bought Brands: The Arizona Standard

When most people think of a pre-packaged Arnold Palmer, the Arizona beverage brand is often the first to come to mind. Their products offer a clear baseline for calorie content, but even within their product line, there are important distinctions:

Classic Arizona Arnold Palmer (Half & Half): A standard 12 fl oz serving contains approximately 120 calories. This is due to the high fructose corn syrup used as a sweetener. A full 20 fl oz bottle would therefore contain 200 calories.
Arizona Arnold Palmer Lite: This version is made with a mix of high fructose corn syrup and low-calorie sweeteners like Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium. As a result, it contains 80 calories per 12 fl oz serving.
Arizona Arnold Palmer Zero: This option is sweetened exclusively with artificial sweeteners and contains zero calories, catering to those who want the flavor without the sugar.

Homemade Arnold Palmer Calories: You Control the Sweetness

Making your own Arnold Palmer at home gives you complete control over the ingredients and, most importantly, the sugar. The calorie count can swing wildly from almost nothing to significantly more than the store-bought versions. A classic homemade recipe, for instance, might call for a substantial amount of granulated sugar to sweeten the lemonade, driving up the calories considerably.

Consider the ingredients that impact the total calories:

Lemonade: The main calorie source. Freshly squeezed lemonade made with lemons and a sweetener (sugar, honey, etc.) will have a different calorie profile than a pre-made mix.
Iced Tea: Typically, unsweetened iced tea contains virtually no calories. However, if using a sweetened pre-made iced tea, the calories will increase.
Sweetener: Granulated sugar, honey, or simple syrups add significant calories. Using a zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or monk fruit can drastically reduce the total.

Here are the typical calories for different homemade versions:

Unsweetened/Sugar-Free: An Arnold Palmer made with unsweetened tea and sugar-free lemonade will have a negligible calorie count, often in the single digits.
Standard Sugar: Depending on the amount, this could range from 100 to over 250 calories per serving. A recipe calling for 1.5 cups of sugar to make 6 servings adds around 100 calories per serving from sugar alone.

Comparison of Arnold Palmer Varieties


Type of Arnold Palmer	Typical Serving Size	Approx. Calories	Primary Sweetener	Key Consideration
Arizona Classic	12 fl oz	120	High Fructose Corn Syrup	High in added sugar.
Arizona Lite	12 fl oz	80	HFCS + Artificial Sweeteners	Moderately reduced sugar and calories.
Arizona Zero	12 fl oz	0	Artificial Sweeteners	No calories from sugar.
Homemade (Sweetened)	1 cup (8 fl oz)	100-250+	Granulated Sugar, Honey	Full control over sugar content.
Homemade (Unsweetened)	1 cup (8 fl oz)	<10	None / Zero-Calorie Sweetener	Minimal to zero calories.

Making a Healthier Arnold Palmer

For those who enjoy the flavor but are mindful of their calorie and sugar intake, making a healthier version is simple. The core of a healthy Arnold Palmer lies in controlling the sugar. You can opt for bottled zero-calorie options like Arizona Zero or create your own guilt-free version at home.

Use freshly brewed unsweetened black tea.
Make your own lemonade using freshly squeezed lemon juice and a natural, zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or monk fruit.
Adjust the ratio of tea to lemonade to your preference. Less lemonade means fewer calories if you're using a sweetened version.
Try adding natural flavors from herbs or fruits, such as mint or berries, to reduce the need for added sugar.

Conclusion

Understanding how many calories are in Arnold Palmer tea requires looking beyond the beverage's name and considering the ingredients. While commercial versions like Arizona's classic can pack a significant sugar punch, the market now offers lighter and zero-calorie alternatives. For the most control, a homemade Arnold Palmer is the best choice, allowing you to tailor the sweetness and calories to your exact needs. By being aware of the different options, you can enjoy this refreshing drink without compromising your dietary goals.

For additional nutritional information and product details on Arizona beverages, you can visit the official Arnold Palmer Enterprises website.

Frequently Asked Questions

An Arizona Arnold Palmer Half & Half contains 120 calories per 12 fl oz serving, primarily from high fructose corn syrup.

Yes, Arizona offers an Arnold Palmer Lite with 80 calories per 12 fl oz, which uses a mix of sugar and low-calorie sweeteners. There is also a zero-calorie version available.

The calories in a homemade Arnold Palmer vary widely. If made with unsweetened tea and a zero-calorie sweetener, it's very low. A recipe using standard sugar could contain 100-250+ calories per serving, depending on the amount of sugar.

To reduce calories, use unsweetened iced tea and a sugar-free lemonade or make your own with a zero-calorie sweetener. You can also adjust the ratio to be more tea than lemonade.

An Arnold Palmer is traditionally a mix of half iced tea and half lemonade. The Winnie Palmer, named after Arnold Palmer's wife, is a sweeter version made with sweetened iced tea and lemonade.

A traditional, sugar-heavy Arnold Palmer offers minimal health benefits due to its high sugar content. However, healthier, homemade versions using unsweetened tea can provide antioxidants from the tea.

No, Arnold Palmer Zero is a zero-calorie beverage. It uses artificial sweeteners to achieve the classic taste without the added sugar.