Kentucky Bourbon Arnold Palmer (The Ultimate Spiked Arnold Palmer)
The Arnold Palmer is already one of the greatest drinks ever invented. Add bourbon and it becomes something truly special.
This Kentucky Bourbon Arnold Palmer is smooth, refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink. Equal parts lemonade and iced tea with a generous pour of Kentucky bourbon shaken together over ice. It’s summer in a glass, basically.
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WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE:
- Ready in 2 minutes — shake, pour, done
- Only 4 ingredients — bourbon, lemonade, iced tea, ice
- Perfectly balanced — sweet, tart, and smooth all at once
- Crowd pleaser — make it by the pitcher for a party
- The ultimate warm weather cocktail — Derby season through Labor Day
SHOP THIS RECIPE:
- Cocktail shaker — for combining and chilling everything properly
- Highball glasses — tall glasses show off the color beautifully. These also look cute in a mason jar mug.
- Nice Pitcher – To make Kentucky Arnold Palmers for a crowd. This one is gorgeous and under $20
- Good Kentucky bourbon — Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, or Buffalo Trace all work beautifully here. Jim Beam is great for a budget friendly option.
Kentucky Bourbon Arnold Palmer (The Ultimate Spiked Arnold Palmer)
Ingredients
Method
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
- Pour in the bourbon, lemonade, and iced tea.
- Shake well.
- Pour into a glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint. Cheers!
TIPS & VARIATIONS:
- Use good lemonade — fresh squeezed is ideal, but a quality store-bought works fine
- Tea matters — a good strong brewed black iced tea gives the best flavor. Avoid weak or overly sweet bottled teas
- Make it a pitcher — multiply everything by 8, combine in a pitcher, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Add ice per glass
- Flavored variations — swap regular iced tea for peach tea or raspberry tea for a fun twist
- Go non-alcoholic — skip the bourbon entirely for a classic Arnold Palmer that’s just as refreshing
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
- Serve over ice in a tall highball glass with lemon slices and fresh mint
- Pair with our Classic Mint Julep and Grapefruit Whiskey Smash for a full bourbon cocktail spread
- Perfect for Derby parties, backyard cookouts, and lazy summer afternoons
STORAGE:
- Best made fresh and served immediately
- Pre-mix the lemonade and iced tea up to 24 hours ahead and store in the fridge. Add bourbon and ice right before serving
Frequently Asked Questions
What bourbon works best in an Arnold Palmer? Any smooth Kentucky bourbon works well — Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, and Buffalo Trace are all great choices. Avoid anything too smoky or peaty.
Can I make this ahead for a party? Yes — pre-mix the lemonade and iced tea in a pitcher and refrigerate. Add bourbon and ice right before serving.
Can I make this non-alcoholic? Absolutely — just skip the bourbon for a classic Arnold Palmer. Just as refreshing, zero proof.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
Equal parts lemonade and iced tea create the perfect sweet-tart base, and bourbon adds warmth and depth without overpowering either. Shaking over ice chills and dilutes everything to exactly the right balance.
More Drinks to Shake Up
- Classic Mint Julep (pictured) – The official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Fresh mint, smooth bourbon, and crushed ice in a frosty silver cup is traditional. If you’re making one bourbon cocktail this spring, make it this one.
- Bourbon Lemonade – Bright, tart, and smooth — this bourbon lemonade is the two-ingredient upgrade your lemonade didn’t know it needed.
- Grapefruit Whiskey Smash – Bold whiskey, fresh grapefruit, and a serious citrus punch. This smash is bright, boozy, and built for warm weather.
- Peach Sweet Tea – All the sweet tea energy without the bourbon. This peach sweet tea is the perfect non-alcoholic companion for your party spread.
