Recipe

Elevate the classic Arnold Palmer with this refreshing adult beverage. Combining our Original Black Tea with fresh lemonade and your choice of spirit, this spiked version is perfect for summer gatherings, backyard BBQs, or relaxing on the porch.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Riverboat Tea Original Black Tea Grounds
• 2 cups fresh filtered water
• 2 cups fresh lemonade (homemade or quality store-bought)
• 3-4 oz vodka or bourbon (per serving)
• Ice cubes
• Fresh lemon slices
• Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
• Simple syrup (optional, to taste)

Brewing Instructions

1. Brew the tea: Brew in a coffee maker or heat 2 cups of fresh filtered water to 200-212°F (full boil). Add 2 tablespoons of Original Black Tea Grounds and steep for 3-5 minutes.
2. Strain and cool: Remove tea grounds and let tea cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold (at least 2 hours).
3. Mix base: In a pitcher, combine chilled black tea with 2 cups of fresh lemonade. Stir well and taste—add simple syrup if you prefer it sweeter.
4. Serve: Fill glasses with ice. Pour tea-lemonade mixture halfway up the glass.
5. Add spirit: Add 1.5-2 oz of vodka or bourbon per glass (adjust to preference).
6. Garnish: Top with lemon slices and fresh mint sprigs. Stir gently and enjoy!

Pro Mixing Tips

Vodka creates a cleaner, more neutral spiked Arnold Palmer, while bourbon adds warm, oaky notes that complement the tea beautifully. Fresh-squeezed lemonade makes all the difference—avoid overly sweet commercial lemonades. The classic ratio is 50/50 tea to lemonade, but adjust to your taste.

Variations

Bourbon Arnold Palmer: Use bourbon for a Southern-style twist with caramel and vanilla notes.
Vodka Arnold Palmer: Use vodka for a lighter, more refreshing version.
Sparkling Spiked Palmer: Top with a splash of club soda for fizz.
Peach Arnold Palmer: Add peach schnapps or muddled fresh peaches.
Mint Julep Palmer: Use bourbon and muddle fresh mint for a hybrid cocktail.

Perfect Occasions

This spiked Arnold Palmer is ideal for summer cookouts, golf outings, pool parties, porch sitting, tailgates, or any casual outdoor gathering. It's a crowd-pleaser that's easy to batch for parties—just multiply the recipe and mix in a large pitcher or drink dispenser.

Batch Recipe for Parties

To serve 8-10 people: Brew 8 cups of black tea, mix with 8 cups lemonade, and let guests add their own spirit to taste. Keep the tea-lemonade base chilled in a drink dispenser with plenty of ice, lemon slices, and mint.