This is a homemade spiked Arnold Palmer cocktail recipe and it's not only super refreshing, but ridiculously easy to make at home with just three ingredients.
When you mix these two together, you get an Arnold Palmer drink. Half lemonade, half iced tea, what more could you ask for? Alcohol? Sure!
I'm not much of a soda girlie as much as I am a lemonade and ice tea lover. Give me a tall glass of iced tea or a fresh lemonade and I am a happy camper.
Cocktails/mocktails are fun to make and even more fun to savor with your favorite people around you. This particular beverage is great when the weather begins to warm up and the sun stays out way later than your kid's bedtime.
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Morgan's Recipe Rundown
- Taste - A subtly sweet cocktail packed with the flavor of vodka, lemon, and tea.
- Prep Level - This is very, very simple. Three ingredients in a glass, shake, pour, serve.
- Best Served With - Make a double batch of this cocktail for a BBQ alongside grilled teriyaki chicken thighs, a sheet pan of shrimp and vegetables, or a caesar pasta salad with a side of breaded and pan fried chicken cutlets.
- Lemonade and Iced Tea - You can easily use two separate drinks for this, but I love Santa Cruz's pre-made half lemonade/half iced tea in a glass jar. Easy peasy and ready to pour!
- Honey - I like adding just a little touch of honey to sweeten it up as I don't prefer sweetened tea. Local Hive Honey is my go to choice for honey!
- Vodka - The "spiked" portion of this cocktail comes from the addition of vodka to the drink.
Be sure to check out the recipe card at the end of this post for more information about quantities, measurements, and specific cooking instructions.
What is an Arnold Palmer drink?
An Arnold Palmer is essential 50% iced tea with 50% lemonade. It's named after professional golfer Arnold Palmer. Most restaurants can make this by simply mixing lemonade with iced tea in a glass and serve, but there is also an Arnold Palmer drink directly from a can, too!
Step by Step Process Photos
Step 1: Add ice to a cocktail shaker, than add in the honey, vodka, and half-lemonade/half iced-tea.
Step 2: Close the shaker tightly, and shake vigorously. Pour into a tall glass with ice and garnish with a lemon slice and thyme.
Simple Swaps and Substitutions
- Vodka - you can swap out the vodka for tequila or for gin if you prefer
- Frozen - add all of the ingredients to a blender and make it into a frozen drink.
- Spicy - if you want to add a little spice to it, rim the glass with tajin or use a jalapeno flavored alcohol.
- Ice Pops - add all the ingredients to an ice pop mold. Vodka technically doesn't freeze, but if you have enough of the iced tea/lemonade in there, it should still freeze into an ice pop.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make the drink in one large pitcher, but wait to add the ice. The ice will dilute the drink if left for an extended period if time. Right before you serve, add the ice.
If you have the time to make iced tea (steeped tea bags, then chilled) or lemonade (fresh squeezed lemon juice mixed with water and sugar), feel free to do so!
Thirsty for More?
Check out these other incredible cocktails!
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Homemade Spiked Arnold Palmer Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
- cocktail spoon
- jigger
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups half lemonade half iced tea
- 2 shots vodka
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 lemon slice
- 1 thyme sprig
Instructions
- Add ice to a cocktail shaker, than add in the honey, vodka, and half-lemonade/half iced-tea.
- Close the shaker tightly, and shake vigorously. Pour into a tall glass with ice and garnish with a lemon slice and thyme.
Evelynne says
I loved that this recipe didn’t ask me to make fresh iced tea or lemonade. I love a shortcut cocktail and this delivered big time. Can’t wait to make more tomorrow with friends!!!