Feeling the sun beating down on you, wishing you were relaxing on a beach somewhere but instead you’re studying for final exams? I might just have a few things, namely, sweet treats, in mind that might be the perfect pick-me-up to get you through the rest of the school year and excited for summer vacation ahead!
Let me introduce you to what I call the beverage of the summer: the Arnold Palmer. Also known in some places as a “Half and Half”, it’s sweet tea mixed with lemonade over ice, absolutely refreshing. In fact, it gets its name from the highly revered golfer Arnold Palmer as it was his signature drink. Just ask students at his alma mater, Wake Forest University; they have an annual “Arnold Palmer Day ” to celebrate him and enjoy the ice-cold beverage. Southern states come with perks of having the best-made Arnold Palmers and Charlotte is full of some great restaurants that will serve you up with that sweet tea, lemon goodness! My recommendations are CookOut, Hubee D’s, The Southern Pecan, Park Road Soda Shoppe, and of course, the Chick-fil-A “Sunjoy.” You can enjoy your Arnold Palmer on the go and I always look forward to getting it as my little treat for the day. Making your own at home is also a great option because you can customize it to your liking. I like using Arizona sweet tea or Bojangles sweet tea with a splash of fresh squeezed lemon juice or Simply Lemonade and adding a couple lemon slices in. Sipping on it certainly makes it feel like summer.
I would be a fool if I didn’t talk about the other summer treat: milkshakes! Who doesn’t love a good milkshake? It’s about that time of year too when you need to cool off but don’t want to make a mess with ice cream. Milkshakes are an up and coming market in the dessert industry as well; let me give you a few recommendations! Cook Out is famous for their creamy, thick milkshakes with 40+ flavors. My go-tos are Chocolate Cherry and Oreo Peanut Butter. Chick-fil-A is another popular choice with delicious shakes such as Strawberry, Cookies and Cream, and Peach, all topped with whipped cream and a cherry. Both of those options are cheap and convenient. I would also recommend Shake Shack, they have unique-tasting, classic and seasonal shakes from Tiramsu to Dreamsicle; the Chocolate is definitely my favorite., Cowfish, Golden Cow Creamery, Ninety’s Dessert Bar, Ben and Jerry’s, and Bad Daddy’s are also at the top of my milkshake list in Charlotte.
Whether it’s an Arnold Palmer or a milkshake, you’ll be set for summer and to finish the school year strong!