I spiked an Arnold Palmer with Sweet Tea Vodka and now people refuse to leave my kitchen because it’s dangerously drinkable.

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I can’t stop thinking about the Dirty Arnold Palmer. I love how the Arnold Palmer Cocktail drops sweet tea into sharp lemonade and then gets naughty with vodka (use a decent plain vodka).

It’s not precious. It’s loud, cold, and hits like summer in a glass.

I adore that bitter tea edge against bright lemon and a hint of Sweet Tea Vodka vibes if I want to lean sweet. And it’s messy in the best way, ice clinking, lemon on the rim, that first sip making me forget the rest of my day.

I’m totally completely obsessed. Plain and glorious.

Ingredients

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A clean boozy backbone that lets tea and lemon shine; it’s smooth, not flashy, nicely.
Basically bold tannins, slight bitterness; it cuts sweetness and keeps things honest, refreshing with bite.
Plus bright, zippy citrus that brings tart balance and a juicy, sunny punch, and cheerful.
Loads of chill and dilution; it mellows the alcohol and opens flavors, quickly and crisp.
A bright, pretty garnish; it’s handy for squeezing extra zing if needed, citrusy right.
Mint adds cool herb notes; toss it in if you like freshness, instantly and bright.
Tiny sweetness fixer; basically smooths harsh edges without tasting syrupy, subtle and clean.

Ingredient Quantities

1.5 oz vodka (use a decent plain vodka)

3 oz strong black iced tea, chilled

3 oz fresh lemonade, chilled

Ice cubes, lots of em

1 lemon wheel or wedge for garnish

Fresh mint sprig for garnish optional

Simple syrup 1/4 oz optional if your lemonade isnt sweet enough

How to Make this

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1. Fill a tall glass or shaker with lots of ice cubes so the drink stays cold and diluted just right.

2. Pour
1.5 oz decent plain vodka over the ice. Don’t use that cheap stuff if you want it smooth.

3. Add 3 oz strong black iced tea, chilled. Strong tea keeps the flavor from getting lost.

4. Pour in 3 oz fresh lemonade, chilled, and watch the colors swirl a bit.

5. Taste it once, if your lemonade isn’t sweet enough add about 1/4 oz simple syrup and stir.

6. Give the mixture a good stir for 10 to 15 seconds if it’s in the glass, or shake briefly in a shaker for a colder, slightly frothy finish.

7. Top with a lemon wheel or wedge on the rim and drop in a fresh mint sprig if you want the extra aroma.

8. If you used a shaker, strain into a glass filled with fresh ice so it’s not watered down. If you mixed in the glass, just leave as is.

9. Sip, adjust next time: more tea for tannin, more lemonade for tang, more syrup if you like sweet.

10. Serve immediately and enjoy on a hot day, it’s simple, refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink.

Equipment Needed

1. Tall glass (or a cocktail shaker if you wanna shake it)
2. Jigger or shot glass for measuring 1.5 oz vodka and other liquids
3. Long bar spoon or regular spoon for stirring
4. Cocktail shaker (Boston or cobbler) if you plan to shake it
5. Hawthorne strainer or fine mesh strainer to pour from the shaker into a glass
6. Ice scoop or tongs to handle lots of ice without mess
7. Paring knife and small cutting board for the lemon wheel or wedge
8. Citrus juicer or reamer if you’re making your own fresh lemonade

FAQ

1.5 oz vodka (use a decent plain vodka)

3 oz strong black iced tea, chilled

3 oz fresh lemonade, chilled

Ice cubes, lots of em

1 lemon wheel or wedge for garnish

Fresh mint sprig for garnish optional

Simple syrup 1/4 oz optional if your lemonade isnt sweet enough

Q: Can I make this non alcoholic? A: Yes, just skip the vodka and add a splash more iced tea or lemonade, or use a non alcoholic spirit substitute for the boozy vibe.

Q: What tea works best? A: Strong black tea like English breakfast or Assam is great. Avoid delicate green or flavored teas unless thats the flavor you want.

Q: How sweet should the lemonade be? A: Personal call. If your lemonade is tart, add the 1/4 oz simple syrup. Taste and adjust a little at a time.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Sort of. Mix tea and lemonade ahead and chill. Add vodka and ice just before serving so it stays bright and cold.

Q: Any garnish ideas? A: Lemon wheel, wedge, or a mint sprig works great. A thin cucumber ribbon is nice if you want something different.

Q: What glass should I use? A: A tall Collins or highball glass is perfect, but any sturdy glass works as long as theres room for ice.

Dirty Arnold Palmer Cocktail Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Vodka: swap for gin for a piney, herbal edge (use a lighter London dry), or white rum for a softer, sweeter vibe, or tequila blanco if you want a bright agave kick.
Strong black iced tea: try cold brewed green tea for a lighter, grassy note, or rooibos for caffeine free and a honey like flavor, or peach iced tea to make it fruity.
Fresh lemonade: replace with limeade for a sharper tartness, or blood orange juice plus a splash of water for a sweeter citrus twist, or store bought lemonade in a pinch but add extra lemon zest.
Simple syrup 1/4 oz optional: use honey syrup (equal parts honey and hot water) for floral depth, or agave syrup for a milder sweetness, or skip sweetener and muddle a few berries if you want natural fruit sugar.

Pro Tips

1) Chill everything ahead. If your tea or lemonade arent ice cold the cocktail will taste flat. Pop bottles in the freezer for 10 minutes or keep a pitcher in the fridge so you dont need tons of ice to get it cold.

2) Control dilution with big ice. Use large cubes or a single big cube so the drink chills fast but doesnt water down too quick. If you like it stronger, stir gently instead of shaking, shaking opens it up and dilutes faster.

3) Taste and tweak. Strong tea brings backbone but can get bitter, so if it s too tannic add a splash more lemonade or that 1/4 oz simple syrup. If its too sweet, add a touch more tea. Always taste before you garnish.

4) Layer aroma for more interest. Bruise the mint slightly to wake it up and slap it against your hand before adding, and float the lemon wheel peel-side up so the oils sit on top. Little things like that make it feel fancy without extra effort.

Dirty Arnold Palmer Cocktail Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I spiked an Arnold Palmer with Sweet Tea Vodka and now people refuse to leave my kitchen because it's dangerously drinkable.

Servings

servings

Calories

140

kcal

Equipment: 1. Tall glass (or a cocktail shaker if you wanna shake it)
2. Jigger or shot glass for measuring 1.5 oz vodka and other liquids
3. Long bar spoon or regular spoon for stirring
4. Cocktail shaker (Boston or cobbler) if you plan to shake it
5. Hawthorne strainer or fine mesh strainer to pour from the shaker into a glass
6. Ice scoop or tongs to handle lots of ice without mess
7. Paring knife and small cutting board for the lemon wheel or wedge
8. Citrus juicer or reamer if you’re making your own fresh lemonade

Ingredients

1.5 oz vodka (use a decent plain vodka)
3 oz strong black iced tea, chilled
3 oz fresh lemonade, chilled
Ice cubes, lots of em
1 lemon wheel or wedge for garnish
Fresh mint sprig for garnish optional
Simple syrup 1/4 oz optional if your lemonade isnt sweet enough

Directions

Fill a tall glass or shaker with lots of ice cubes so the drink stays cold and diluted just right.
Pour
5 oz decent plain vodka over the ice. Don't use that cheap stuff if you want it smooth.
Add 3 oz strong black iced tea, chilled. Strong tea keeps the flavor from getting lost.
Pour in 3 oz fresh lemonade, chilled, and watch the colors swirl a bit.
Taste it once, if your lemonade isn't sweet enough add about 1/4 oz simple syrup and stir.
Give the mixture a good stir for 10 to 15 seconds if it's in the glass, or shake briefly in a shaker for a colder, slightly frothy finish.
Top with a lemon wheel or wedge on the rim and drop in a fresh mint sprig if you want the extra aroma.
If you used a shaker, strain into a glass filled with fresh ice so it's not watered down. If you mixed in the glass, just leave as is.
Sip, adjust next time: more tea for tannin, more lemonade for tang, more syrup if you like sweet.
Serve immediately and enjoy on a hot day, it's simple, refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.