Head to head

Arnold Palmer vs. Rock Shandy

Arnold Palmer and Rock Shandy side by side: what changes in the recipe, the balance, the strength and the calories.

The difference, by the numbers

They have no ingredient in common: the Arnold Palmer has iced tea and lemonade, the Rock Shandy lemon-lime soda, soda water and alcohol-free aromatic bitters. In parts, an Arnold Palmer is 2 iced tea and 1 lemonade; a Rock Shandy is 1 lemon-lime soda and 1 soda. By volume, the Arnold Palmer is 100% mixer and juice; the Rock Shandy is 100% mixer and juice. Different bottles, similar balance: that makes them close cousins on the ratio map.

They are about equally strong in the glass (both 0.0% ABV), and they hold about the same alcohol (0.00 standard drinks each). The Rock Shandy has more calories (about 51 against 26) and more sugar (13.0 g against 6.2 g). Both are built and served in a highball.

On the ratio map

SpiritVermouthCitrusMixerSyrupLiqueurArnold PalmerRock Shandy

Each drink sits nearer the corners it has more of: spirit, vermouth and bitter, citrus, mixer, syrup or liqueur. The gray dots are the other classics. Explore the full ratio map.