Arnold Palmer Cocktail
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The Arnold Palmer cocktail is a refreshing blend of iced tea and lemonade with a punch of bourbon whiskey for the perfect summer drink.
This easy 3 ingredient Arnold Palmer Cocktail recipe is simple to make and a bright and refreshing spiked drink! Serve them by the glass or in a pitcher alongside other warm weather favorites like bbq chicken nachos, deviled egg potato salad, and orange creamsicle pie.
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Arnold Palmer Cocktail
Arnold Palmer Cocktail
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Why you’ll love this easy drink recipe!
📌 Bright, smooth, and delicious flavor.
📌 Simple to make.
📌 A classic well loved cocktail recipe.
Arnold Palmer Cocktail Ingredients
- Tea – Sweet or unsweet tea, depending on your tastes.
- Lemonade – Homemade lemonade is best, but you can use canned or a mix too.
- Whiskey – Good bourbon whiskey.
How do you make a Dirty Arnold Palmer? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, fill your glass at least halfway full with ice.
⭐ Next, measure and pour lemonade, whiskey, and tea. Taste and adjust as needed.
⭐ Then, garnish with sliced lemon or lemon wedges.
⭐ Finally, enjoy with a friend!
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
What is a an Arnold Palmer cocktail?
An Arnold Palmer Cocktail is a popular alcoholic beverage named after the professional golfer Arnold Palmer. It is a refreshing combination of iced tea and lemonade and bourbon.
The Arnold Palmer is it’s non-alcoholic predecessor.
Spiked Arnold Palmer Variations
- Different spirits: Try vodka, rum, or even tequila. The vodka version is often referred to as a “John Daly” cocktail.
- Raspberry Arnold Palmer: Introduce a fruity twist by adding raspberry syrup or muddled raspberries to the drink. This variation adds a hint of sweetness and a vibrant color.
- Strawberry Arnold Palmer: Similar to the raspberry variation, you can incorporate strawberry syrup or muddled strawberries to infuse the drink with a delightful strawberry flavor.
- Mint Arnold Palmer: Add a refreshing touch by muddling fresh mint leaves into the cocktail. This variation complements the tea and lemonade flavors beautifully.
- Ginger Arnold Palmer: For a spicy twist, you can add a splash of ginger syrup or muddled fresh ginger to the drink. The ginger adds a zingy and invigorating element.
- Peach Arnold Palmer: Incorporate the essence of ripe peaches by adding peach syrup, puree, or fresh peach slices to the cocktail. This variation lends a subtle sweetness and a summery flavor.
Preparation
How do you make a pitcher of Arnold Palmer Cocktails?
We typically consider a pitcher to be 8 servings. To make a pitcher, multiply each ingredient by 8 (exact measurements provided below).
If you’re making a pitcher ahead of time, combine the ingredients without ice and store it in the refrigerator. Immediately before serving, add ice to the pitcher.
Can you make a spiked Arnold Palmers ahead of time?
You can mix the liquids ahead of time, but don’t add the ice until immediately before serving (or the ice will melt and water down the drink).
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
What does an Arnold Palmer Whiskey Cocktail taste like?
The sweetness and tartness of the classic Arnold Palmer are complemented by the warmth and complexity of the bourbon, resulting in a delightful and more adult-oriented twist on the traditional beverage.
Why is it called a spiked Arnold Palmer?
The beverage is called an “Arnold Palmer” because it is named after the professional golfer Arnold Palmer. Legend has it that Arnold Palmer himself ordered a combination of iced tea and lemonade at a restaurant or a golf club and the drink became a favorite of his and was subsequently named after him.
The Arnold Palmer cocktail is often regarded as a refreshing and thirst-quenching beverage, making it a fitting tribute to the golfer who brought joy to millions of fans around the world.
Fun fact: the children’s hospital near us is named after Arnold Palmer, and the adjoining women’s hospital is named after his daughter, Winnie.
What to enjoy with an Arnold Palmer cocktail (serving suggestions)
This is a classic summer cool down drink that goes perfectly with cold refreshing dishes like tuna salad stuffed tomatoes, cucumber sandwiches, tuna pasta salad, and tomato mayo sandwiches.
More delicious cocktail recipes
- Tequila sunrise recipe
- Martini recipe
- Long island iced tea recipe
- Dirty shirley drink
- Rum punch recipe
- Fuzzy navel recipe
- Old fashioned
- Grapefruit margarita
- Frozen mango margarita cocktail
- Sex on the beach recipe
- See all our drink recipes!
Tools we love
- Glass pitcher – Everyone needs a gorgeous glass pitcher! Perfect for water on the weekdays and cocktails on the weekends!
- Stemless wine glasses – I am a huge fan of stemless wine glasses for cocktails as they’re much less likely to tip over. Read = I am clumsy.
- Upright blender – Frozen drinks deserve a good blender. Make sure you use one that can blend ice easily.
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How to Make an Arnold Palmer Cocktail
Arnold Palmer Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
BY THE GLASS
- 4 ounces iced tea sweet or unsweet
- 2 ounces lemonade
- 2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- ice
BY THE PITCHER
- 4 cups iced tea sweet or unsweet
- 2 cups lemonade
- 2 cups bourbon whiskey
- ice
Instructions
BY THE GLASS
- Fill your glass at least halfway full with ice.
- Measure and pour lemonade, whiskey, and tea. Stir, and adjust to taste as needed.
- Garnish with sliced lemon or lemon wedges.
BY THE PITCHER
- Add lemonade, whiskey, and tea to your pitcher. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Immediately before serving, stir then add ice, and lemon slices to the pitcher.
Notes
- Different spirits: Try vodka, rum, or even tequila. The vodka version is often referred to as a "John Daly" cocktail.
- Raspberry Arnold Palmer: Introduce a fruity twist by adding raspberry syrup or muddled raspberries to the drink. This variation adds a hint of sweetness and a vibrant color.
- Strawberry Arnold Palmer: Similar to the raspberry variation, you can incorporate strawberry syrup or muddled strawberries to infuse the drink with a delightful strawberry flavor.
- Mint Arnold Palmer: Add a refreshing touch by muddling fresh mint leaves into the cocktail. This variation complements the tea and lemonade flavors beautifully.
- Ginger Arnold Palmer: For a spicy twist, you can add a splash of ginger syrup or muddled fresh ginger to the drink. The ginger adds a zingy and invigorating element.
- Peach Arnold Palmer: Incorporate the essence of ripe peaches by adding peach syrup, puree, or fresh peach slices to the cocktail. This variation lends a subtle sweetness and a summery flavor.
Nutrition
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When my dad comes to visit, we have this recipe on repeat. He loves it! Thanks for sharing.
This cocktail is so easy to make and so refreshing! Thanks for the recipe, I think this is my new favorite summer drink!
My favorite cocktail I love that I can make it at home now!