How To Spike An Arnold Palmer For An Invigorating Iced Cocktail

An Arnold Palmer is a timeless classic. The combination of astringent tea and sweet lemonade is both refreshing and delicious. That being said, there may be some special occasions — like cookouts, pool days, and holidays — when you want a little extra kick to your drink. There's a simple way to do just that. Turn the historic Arnold Palmer into a memorable mixed drink by spiking it with your favorite spirit.

In order to figure out how best to spike your Arnold Palmer, look to standard pours — the measurements that equate to one drink for a specific type of spirit. If you are going to use a hard liquor, the standard is 1.5 ounces. You can add up to three ounces of a liqueur and up to five ounces of wine. Adding one standard pour of any of these options should give you the flavor you're seeking without overtaking the Arnold Palmer itself. 

The one exception to this rule is beer and malt beverages, like hard seltzer. The standard pour for these drinks is 12 ounces and 10 ounces respectively, both of which would overly dilute your beverage. Instead, it is recommended to add these drinks in no more than a 1-to-1 ratio.

When it comes to selecting a liquor for your Arnold Palmer, you really can't go wrong. If you're not sure where to begin, though, vodka is an approachable starting point. Many people enjoy vodka mixed drinks thanks to the spirit's crisp mouthfeel and neutral flavor, and an Arnold Palmer mixed with vodka even has its own name: a John Daly. If you like richer, more complex flavors, add a pour of whiskey for a creative twist on a whiskey sour. If you prefer floral notes, adding gin will give your Arnold Palmer a refreshingly herbaceous undertone.

There's no reason to stop at classic liquors, though. Explore more unique spirits to completely transform your cocktail. Specialty fruit liqueurs will add an extra sweet and summery element, while prosecco brings the fun of bubbles to your Arnold Palmer in the style of a mimosa. For those seeking an even more sophisticated beverage, drop in a shot of coffee liqueur to mimic kaffelemonad, a non-alcoholic coffee and lemonade drink popular in Sweden.