Spiked Arnold Palmer

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 04/23/21
Spiked Arnold Palmer (John Daly) Cocktail
The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
459 Calories
3g Fat
97g Carbs
9g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 459
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 3%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 23mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 97g 35%
Dietary Fiber 22g 79%
Total Sugars 43g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 432mg 2,161%
Calcium 206mg 16%
Iron 5mg 27%
Potassium 1342mg 29%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Add vodka to the famous iced tea and lemonade drink and you have a spiked Arnold Palmer. It's sometimes called the John Daly cocktail (named after another famous professional golfer) or the back nine. Whatever name you give it, this is a tall, refreshing summertime beverage that's easy to make.

A spiked Arnold Palmer requires three simple ingredients: vodka, lemonade, and iced tea. This recipe also shows you how to make a single glass of lemonade from scratch. "Bartender's lemonade" uses a basic formula of 1 part each lemon juice and simple syrup with 2 parts water, shaking it with ice for the perfect balance of sweet and sour. It's a great alternative to mixing up an entire pitcher whenever you want a glass of lemonade or need a small amount for a cocktail. You can skip that step and use premixed lemonade in the cocktail.

For the iced tea, black tea brewed with hot water, then chilled is one of the most flavorful options. Use your favorite type of tea or make sweet tea, if you prefer. Vodka is the most popular liquor in this drink—Arnold Palmer was known to prefer Ketel One—but rum, tequila, and whiskey make fine alternatives. Flavored lemonades, teas, and spirits are also fun options.

Ingredients

For the Lemonade:

  • 2 ounces simple syrup

  • 4 ounces water

  • 2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice

For the Cocktail:

  • 2 ounces vodka

  • 2 to 3 ounces lemonade

  • 2 to 3 ounces iced tea

  • Lemon wheel, for garnish

  • Mint sprig, for garnish

Steps to Make It

Make the Lemonade

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for a Spiked Arnold Palmer Cocktail
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

  2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the simple syrup and water. Add the lemon juice, straining it through a fine-mesh strainer if you want to remove the pulp and seeds.

    Mixing Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade by the Glass
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

  3. Shake well.

    Freshly Shaken Lemonade for an Arnold Palmer
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

  4. Strain into a tall glass. You should have about 8 ounces of lemonade, enough for 3 or 4 spiked Arnold Palmers. Keep the excess covered in the refrigerator until needed.

    Freshly Shaken Lemonade for an Arnold Palmer
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Make the Cocktail

  1. In a highball glass filled with ice, pour the vodka.

    Adding Vodka to a Spiked Arnold Palmer
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

  2. Top with equal parts of iced tea and lemonade.

    Mixing Tea and Lemonade Into a Spiked Arnold Palmer Mixed Drink
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

  3. Stir well.

    Stirring a Spiked Arnold Palmer Mixed Drink
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

  4. Garnish with a lemon wheel and mint sprig. Serve and enjoy.

    Spiked Arnold Palmer (John Daly) Cocktail
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Tips

  • The average lemon yields about 1 3/4 ounces, so you'll need about 1 1/2 lemons for the lemonade (use the other half to cut the garnish). To maximize juice yield, ensure the fruit is at room temperature and roll it under your palm on the countertop before cutting the fruit.
  • A rich (2:1) simple syrup will create a slightly sweeter lemonade, though a shaken 1:1 bar simple syrup doesn't require heat and is an excellent shortcut.
  • To sweeten iced tea, stir in sugar while the water is still hot or add honey or agave nectar to taste.

Recipe Variations

  • Switch from vodka to rum, tequila, or whiskey. Aged spirits add a deep background flavor to the drink that's quite nice.
  • Use a flavored vodka. Fruits are perfect for the tea and lemonade mix, particularly berries and pomegranate. Tea-infused vodka enhances that flavor, citrus vodka complements the lemonade, and coconut vodka (or rum) adds an interesting spin.
  • Pour a fruity iced tea such as raspberry or watermelon, or try something like lemon-ginger.
  • Likewise, add flavor with the lemonade. Watermelon lemonade is a delicious choice, or you can give the drink a floral twist with lavender lemonade.

How Strong Is a Spiked Arnold Palmer?

Pouring more tea and lemonade will create a lighter drink. Generally, though, the spiked Arnold Palmer is pretty casual and similar to drinking a glass of wine. At it's strongest (with a 2-ounce pour of each mixer), it weighs in at about 12 percent ABV (24 proof).