What is this drink?
The Spiked Arnold Palmer is a boozy take on the classic Southern half-lemonade, half-iced-tea beverage popularized by golfer Arnold Palmer, with vodka added to the familiar combination for a refreshing summer cocktail.
Why you'll love it
The tannic depth of iced tea pairs beautifully with the citrusy brightness of lemonade, and the vodka integrates seamlessly without disrupting the comforting familiarity of the non-alcoholic original.
When to serve
Perfect for backyard barbecues, golf outings, summer parties, tailgates, or any casual outdoor setting where a refreshing and easy-drinking cocktail is welcome.
Pro tip
Brew the iced tea strong — double the normal tea concentration — because dilution from the lemonade and ice will bring it to the perfect intensity without any bitter aftertaste.
Vodka
A clean, neutral spirit that integrates invisibly into the tea-lemonade combination, providing alcoholic strength without altering the drink's comforting, familiar flavor profile.
Iced Tea
Brewed black tea chilled over ice brings tannins and earthy depth that balances the lemonade's sweetness and gives the drink its classic Southern character.
Lemonade
Sweet and tart lemonade provides the citrusy counterpoint to iced tea, softening its astringency while adding refreshing acidity that makes the whole drink lively.
Swap Options
Replace vodka with bourbon for a Southern Sweet Tea Bourbon variation. Use hard lemonade instead of regular lemonade to double the alcohol without adding a separate spirit. Try green tea instead of black tea for a lighter, more delicate flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Combine ingredients
Add vodka, lemonade, iced tea, and ice to a glass.
Tips:
- •Stir to mix flavors.
Garnish
Add a lemon wheel on the rim.
Tips:
- •Serve immediately.
Flavor Profile
Alcohol Content
Fun Fact
Bartender's Tips
- Use chilled tea and lemonade for best taste.
- Adjust vodka for desired strength.
- Serve over fresh ice.
Different ways to make this drink your own
Sweet Tea Bourbon Spiked Arnold Palmer
Replace vodka with bourbon for a deeply Southern variation — the whiskey's caramel and vanilla notes meld beautifully with the sweetened black tea, creating a cocktail that feels warmly American and is perfectly suited to slow-porch sipping. Named a 'John Daly' by some bartenders, this bourbon version has its own devoted following.
Green Tea Arnold Palmer
Substitute black tea with chilled green tea for a lighter, more delicate variation with a subtler, more vegetal character. Green tea's gentle sweetness and clean, grassy notes produce a more refined base for the vodka and lemonade, creating an Arnold Palmer with a more contemporary, health-conscious feel.
Hard Lemonade Arnold Palmer
Replace regular lemonade with hard lemonade (alcoholic lemonade) for a version that doubles the alcohol content without adding a separate spirit. The combined ABV of the vodka and hard lemonade produces a stronger drink with the same visual and flavour profile, ideal for those who want more potency in their tall, refreshing cocktail.
Tools that make this drink come together
Tall Glass and Long Spoon
The Spiked Arnold Palmer is built directly in the glass — vodka over ice, followed by equal parts of cold sweetened tea and lemonade. A long bar spoon gives a gentle stir to combine without over-mixing, preserving any carbonation if sparkling lemonade is used. No shaker or specialist equipment is needed.
Teapot or Saucepan (for fresh iced tea)
For the best result, brew strong black tea — using 4 tea bags per litre of boiling water steeped for 5 minutes — and allow to cool before refrigerating. Fresh brewed iced tea has a complexity and depth that bottled or powdered iced tea cannot replicate. Once chilled, it keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Citrus Juicer (for fresh lemonade)
Freshly squeezed lemon juice combined with cold water and sugar syrup produces a lemonade that is dramatically brighter and more complex than bottled varieties. The natural acidity of fresh lemon cuts the sweetness of the iced tea and vodka without introducing the artificial aftertaste of commercial bottled lemonade.
Can't Find These?
Bottled iced tea and bottled lemonade are perfectly acceptable shortcuts for casual preparation. Any long spoon stirs the drink adequately. No juicer is needed if using bottled lemonade. The Spiked Arnold Palmer is one of the most straightforward cocktails to prepare — pour three ingredients over ice and stir.
The right glass makes a real difference
Collins Glass or Mason Jar
The Spiked Arnold Palmer is best served in a tall Collins glass or a large mason jar over plenty of ice. The tall format allows a proper volume of tea and lemonade to dilute the vodka to the correct strength, and the height displays the drink's pale amber colour attractively. A mason jar in particular suits the drink's American heritage and casual, convivial character. A lemon wheel and a sprig of mint or a fresh tea bag as garnish complete the presentation.
Alternatives
A highball glass works identically. A pint glass is a practical option for casual outdoor events. A wide-mouthed tumbler with ice is entirely appropriate. The Arnold Palmer is an unpretentious, all-American drink that works in any vessel — the quality of the tea and lemonade matters far more than the glass it's served in.
Perfect food pairings to complete the experience
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
Thinly sliced cucumber on buttered white bread with cream cheese and dill are a classic companion to iced tea, and equally at home alongside the Spiked Arnold Palmer. The lightness and freshness of the cucumber sandwich provides a palate-cleansing bite between sips without competing with the cocktail's subtle flavours.
Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf Slices
Moist lemon poppy seed loaf cake directly echoes the cocktail's lemon component. The cake's sweet-citrus crumb complements the tea's tannins and provides a light, baked accompaniment that suits the drink's summertime, al fresco character without feeling too heavy or rich.
Chicken Salad Croissants
Flaky croissants filled with a classic mayonnaise chicken salad with celery, lemon, and fresh tarragon are a satisfying, crowd-pleasing accompaniment. The creamy, savoury filling balances the cocktail's acidity, and the croissant's buttery richness provides substance without overwhelm.
Fresh Peach and Mint Salad
Sliced ripe peaches with torn fresh mint, honey, and a squeeze of lemon create a light, seasonal fruit salad that complements the iced tea's natural fruit affinity. The peach's sweetness mirrors the cocktail's sweetened tea component, and the mint adds freshness that makes each successive sip even more refreshing.
Prep in advance for effortless serving
Brew and Chill the Tea in Advance
Brew strong black tea using 4–6 tea bags per litre of boiling water, steep for 5 minutes, remove bags, stir in sugar syrup to taste, then refrigerate overnight. Pre-made sweet tea keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days without quality loss and is the single most impactful preparation step for a superior Spiked Arnold Palmer.
Make Fresh Lemonade Ahead
Combine freshly squeezed lemon juice, cold water, and sugar syrup 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. Fresh lemonade improves as it chills and the ingredients meld. Pre-made lemonade and pre-made sweet tea combined in individual glasses with vodka takes under a minute per cocktail during service.
Set Up a Build-Your-Own Station
Arrange the vodka bottle, a jug of sweet tea, a jug of lemonade, ice bucket, and tall glasses in one location before guests arrive. A build-your-own station allows guests to customise their own Spiked Arnold Palmers — adjusting the ratio of tea to lemonade and the vodka measure to their own preference. This is particularly effective at casual outdoor parties and barbecues.
Batch as a Pitcher Cocktail
Combine vodka, sweet tea, and lemonade in the correct proportions in a large pitcher up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate. Pour individual glasses from the pitcher at service — no assembly required. A pre-mixed pitcher is the fastest possible service format for this drink and works beautifully at garden parties where a self-serve approach is preferred.
Common questions answered by our bartenders
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