We owe the Arnold Palmer to eavesdropping. The story dates back to the 1960s when, while at a restaurant in Palm Springs, golfer Arnold Palmer ordered his favorite drink: two parts unsweetened iced tea to one part lemonade. A woman sitting nearby overheard the call and ordered one for herself, referring to the beverage as “that Palmer drink.” The Arnold Palmer was born—and with it, the inevitable spiked variations.
While most spiked Arnold Palmer recipes call for vodka, such as the Republican National Convention drink of choice, we at Supercall have a few other ideas for boozifying the classic combo of iced tea and lemonade. Here, the five best ways to spike your next Arnold Palmer.
Note: Two ounces of spirit per cocktail should make a strong enough drink, but scale up or down to suit your tastes.
Limoncello
This sweet-tart Italian liqueur transforms an Arnold Palmer into a low-ABV aperitivo. The lemon liqueur adds rich lemon curd flavors to the already bright and tangy lemonade.
Tequila
Add tequila to your Arnold Palmer for a Long Island Iced Tea-esque tipple. Silver tequila gives the refreshing sipper a touch of peppery brightness, while reposado tequila imparts notes of caramel and vanilla, which play perfectly with iced black tea.
Dark Rum
Try a splash of dark demerara rum for a tropical Arnold Palmer—one that belongs on a golf course in Bermuda. Opt for an overproof or navy strength rum, and you have yourself a stripped down spin on Planter’s Punch.
Bourbon
As any Whiskey Sour drinker knows, fresh lemon juice and sweet, spicy bourbon are a perfect pair—and black tea only makes things better. Try simply adding a splash of bourbon to your Arnold Palmer, or for a long, refreshing take on a Mint Julep, muddle a few mint leaves into the cocktail and add a dash or two of Angostura bitters.
Apple Jack
The addition of applejack or Calvados turns the summer staple into the perfect fall cocktail. Add half an ounce of cinnamon syrup to the mix and you’ll be rewarded with a potable apple pie.
A Spiked Arnold Palmer is the perfect summertime (or anytime) cocktail. Nothing is more refreshing than cooling off with a blend of lemonade, sweet iced tea and whiskey or Bourbon. It's so easy, and you'll be sipping this Arnold Palmer with alcohol in just a few minutes. The refreshing Arnold Palmer drink has
been around forever (or at least before I was even born). This has been my favorite beverage to drink on a hot day since I have been a teenager. Of course, it didn't contain alcohol when I first started drinking it. We always keep whiskey and Bourbon in our house as this is my husband's drink of choice. What better match than to make a refreshing Arnold Palmer cocktail with whiskey or Bourbon?
Ingredients Needed
- Sweet Tea – Sweetened black tea is my favorite choice here but feel free to experiment with green tea or even herbal teas.
- Lemonade – I'm a fan of good old fashioned homemade lemonade.
- Whiskey or Bourbon – Choose your favorite and adjust the amount to your preferred tastes. You can also use vodka.
- Lemon or Orange Slices – Fresh citrus slices add a little extra flavor and make this Spiked Arnold Palmer look beautiful.
How To Make A Spiked Arnold Palmer
- Fill two glasses halfway with ice.
- Pour in the whiskey or bourbon.
- Add in the lemonade and sweet tea.
- Stir and garnish with a citrus slice before serving.
Tips for Making Arnold Palmer with Alcohol
- Save time by using storebought lemonade and sweet tea or take this coctail to a whole new level by making homemade lemonade and homemade sweet tea.
- For an extra cold and refreshing tea, mix everything in a shaker with ice before straining into a cup with fresh ice.
- Double, triple or quadruple the recipe and make a pitcher full to serve a crowd. This Spiked Arnold Palmer is perfect for a backyard party.
- Don't like a watered down drink once the ice melts? Freeze lemonade or sweet tea in ice cube trays.
More Refreshing Cocktails
- Orange Basil Cocktail
- Strawberry Mojitos with Fresh Strawberries
- Blood Orange Rosemary Vodka Cocktail from Souffle Bombay
If you like this Arnold Palmer with Alcohol, please leave a 5-star rating.
Spiked Arnold Palmer with Whiskey
This refreshing spiked Arnold Palmer cocktail includes sweet tea, lemonade and whiskey.
Prep Time3 mins
Total Time3 mins
Course: alcoholic beverage
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cocktail, lemonade, refreshing, sweet tea
Servings: 2 glasses
Calories: 218kcal
Cost: $3
- 8 ounces sweet tea
- 6 ounces lemonade
- 4 ounces Whiskey or Bourbon
- fresh lemon or orange slices for garnish
Fill two glasses halfway with ice. Add 2 ounces of whiskey to each glass. Fill with divided amounts of sweet tea and lemonade. Garnish with fresh lemon or orange slices.
Serving: 1glass | Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 12mg | Sugar: 21g | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
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