Arnold Palmer Bourbon Cocktail

This Arnold Palmer Bourbon Cocktail spikes the classic drink to create the most refreshing summer sipper. Not too sweet and not too boozy, this is a cocktail you can sit back and relax with. 

Ingredient Notes

Honey

I prefer to naturally sweeten my cocktails. Honey, maple syrup and agave syrup are my go-to sweeteners for drinks because they easily dissolve into liquids. When making cocktails with honey, be sure you stir the honey into the liquid until it dissolves before adding ice and shaking. If you do not mix the honey in first, it will seize up and not dissolve due to the ice. 

Lemon Juice 

Fresh is best! Fresh lemon juice is an absolute must when making cocktails. Since most cocktails are made with just a handful of ingredients—quality matters. 

Iced Tea

For ease of preparation, we recommend grabbing some prepared iced tea from the grocery store. It’s just easier. Feel free to make your own iced tea or sun tea. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try out a peach tea for a bit of Southern flare. We recommend using unsweetened iced tea since we’re sweetening the drink ourselves. And finally, opt of decaffeinated if you’re sipping on this later in the day. 

Bourbon

Like I always say, the perfect cocktail is one made to your preference. And that means using the liquor you like best. We prefer bourbon in this drink over other types of whiskey for it’s smooth sweetness. Use whatever you like, and since there are a handful of other ingredients in this drink, use something middle of the road—nothing too expensive. 

How To Make An Arnold Palmer Cocktail

Step 1: combine honey and lemon juice

Mix the honey and lemon juice together in a cocktail shaker until the honey is fully dissolved. 

Step 2: add iced tea and bourbon

Add the remaining cocktail ingredients to the shaker then fill with ice. 

Step 3: shake until chilled

Secure the lid of the shaker and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled.

Step 4: strain, garnish and sip

Strain the cocktail into a Collins or rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel and enjoy. 

Variations to Try

• Use peach iced tea in place of regular iced tea.
• Skip the honey and lemon juice and use prepared lemonade.
• Make it sparkling and use sparkling lemonade instead of lemon and honey. 
• Muddle some mint in the cocktail shaker before adding the other ingredients. Garnish with additional mint. 

Additional Cocktail Recipes to Try

• For another delish summer sipper try our Dark Rum and Mint Ricky Bobbies made with limeade, dark rum and fresh mint.
• This bright pink Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail has a little ginger for a kick. The key is infusing your own vodka with freshly picked strawberries!
• Our Maple Mint Vodka Spritzers are light and refreshing for a hot summer evening.
• If you have never tried a red beer or Michelada then you are missing out. They are savory and refreshing!
• These Smoky Mescal Margaritas are perfect for to go with tacos and other Mexican fare.
• Have you ever used a Meyer Lemon to make a Whiskey Sour? Our Maple Meyer Lemon Whiskey Sour has maple in it too for a knockout combo!

Thanks so much for reading! If you make this recipe, please take a picture and share it on Instagram and be sure to tag me @ZestfulKitchen and Katie @HealthySeasonal so we can see your creations. And please leave a star rating and review below!

Print