If there was one drink that I thought had already made its spirited debut, it was the Arnold Palmer. But nope. A hard take on the iconic sipper — a blend of equal parts iced tea and lemonade made famous by the late golfing legend Arnold Palmer, who really dug the combo — premiered nationwide in late February as Arnold Palmer Spiked Half & Half, a flavored malt beverage.
A partnership between MillerCoors and AriZona Beverages, which has sold the OG AP for years, Arnold Palmer Spiked is boozed up with five percent alcohol by volume in 24-ounce cans — and, wait for it, six-packs of 12-ounce slim cans.
According to Justine Stauffer, MillerCoors marketing manager for Arnold Palmer Spiked, the new noncarbonated drink can be enjoyed both in the backyard or on the back nine.
“In creating Arnold Palmer Spiked we made sure it had the signature flavor combination of half iced tea and half lemonade that drinkers expect from the beloved original,” Stauffer said in a statement. “And with that, we believe it is sure to become the new fan favorite.”
One launch party venue, Topgolf Orlando, plans to celebrate the rollout of Arnold Palmer Spiked from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday with complimentary plays, food and giveaways (there's no better time than during the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational, I guess). For regionites willing to make the drive, the event is free and open to the public, but online registration is required.
Several Tampa Bay establishments also have the beverage in stock locally — including a bunch of 7 Elevens, Cheval Golf and Athletic Club, and the region's own Topgolf location. However, visitors to the Arnold Palmer Spiked website should use its product locator to find the closest cans in their neck of the woods. You know, just to be sure.