Boozy Blended Arnold Palmer

This boozy Arnold Palmer blends vodka, lemonade and iced tea into a bright, refreshing slushy. The lemon-ice element—lemonade blended with ice and lemon zest—creates a light, frosty texture that contrasts beautifully with the smooth iced tea. It’s perfectly sweet, tart and easy to scale whether you’re making one glass or a pitcher for a group.

I love serving this at the cabin or any outdoor gathering. It’s quick to prepare, looks festive in a tall glass, and is easy to make alcohol-free by simply skipping the vodka. Below you’ll find practical tips, ingredient notes, a simple method and a few variations to customize the drink.

A glass of iced lemon drink with a slice of lemon on the rim and a glass straw, placed on a light surface with lemon slices nearby. — Frosty lemon slush topped with iced tea and vodka.

Recipe highlights

The key twist here is turning the lemonade into a lemon ice slushy by blending it with ice and lemon zest. This intensifies the citrus flavor and gives the drink a fun texture you don’t get from simply stirring lemonade and tea together. The recipe is versatile: use homemade lemonade for the freshest taste or a quality store-bought lemon drink for convenience. For a non-alcoholic Arnold Palmer, omit vodka and serve the slush topped with iced tea only.

Essential equipment and ingredients

Lemonade: Fresh homemade lemonade works best for bright flavor, but store-bought lemonade is fine if you’re short on time.
Lemon zest: Grated lemon zest blended into the ice adds concentrated citrus aroma and flavor without grainy texture.
Ice cubes: Regular ice works well—use enough ice to create a fluffy slush when blended with the lemonade.
Vodka: Choose a vodka you enjoy; it adds body and warmth without overwhelming the lemon and tea. For a non-alcoholic version, skip it entirely.
Unsweetened iced tea: Use chilled unsweetened black tea (or your preferred unsweetened brew) to top the slush. Sweet tea will make the drink noticeably sweeter.
Blender or food processor: A high-speed blender produces the smoothest, lightest slush, but a sturdy food processor will work as well.

Full ingredient amounts and step-by-step instructions appear in the recipe section below.

A glass with a pale yellow liquid and ice is being filled with an orange liquid from a glass bottle. Another similar drink is in the background.

Tip: Make it non-alcoholic

This blended Arnold Palmer converts to a terrific non-alcoholic slushy with no extra steps—just omit the vodka and top the lemon slush with iced tea. The lemon slush keeps the drink exciting and frosty, so even without alcohol it feels special and celebratory. If you want a little extra complexity without alcohol, consider adding a splash of sparkling water or a few drops of bottled lemon essence.

How to blend, pour, serve and enjoy

The technique is simple and fast:

Add the ice cubes, lemonade and lemon zest to a high-speed blender or food processor and blend on high until the mixture becomes light, fluffy and scoopable.
Pour the lemon slush into a tall, chilled glass. Add vodka (if using) and then top with unsweetened iced tea. Gently stir once to marry the flavors without losing the slushy texture.
Garnish with a fresh lemon slice, a sprinkle of extra zest or a sprig of mint if desired. Serve with a straw or spoon for scooping the slush.

A close-up of an iced orange drink in a ribbed glass with a clear straw and a lemon slice garnish.

Variations and serving ideas

Hibiscus twist: Substitute hibiscus tea for the iced tea to create a floral, berry-toned variation with a beautiful color contrast.
Fruit additions: Blend a few frozen strawberries or peaches with the lemonade for a fruity slushy base and top with the same unsweetened iced tea.
Herbal accent: Muddle a bit of fresh basil or mint in the glass before adding the slush for an herbal lift.
Pitcher method: Double or triple the recipe and keep the lemon slush in the freezer; pour portions into glasses, top with iced tea and vodka, and serve immediately.

Other cocktails to try

Sex on the Beach
Strawberry Peach Frosé
Frozen Peach Bellini
Easy Vodka Lemonade
Strawberry Vodka Lemonade

Boozy Blended Arnold Palmer — Recipe

Author: Lee Funke

Prep time: 10 minutes | Total time: 10 minutes | Servings: 1

Ingredients

1 cup ice cubes
1/2 cup lemonade
Zest of one lemon
1.5 oz (about 1½ oz) vodka (optional)
1/3 to 1/2 cup unsweetened iced tea, chilled

Instructions

Place the ice cubes, lemonade and lemon zest into a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend on high until the mixture becomes light, fluffy and scoopable—this creates the lemon slush.
Pour the slush into a chilled glass, leaving room at the top for liquid additions.
Add the vodka (if using), then gently top with the chilled unsweetened iced tea. Stir once very gently to combine without melting the slush too much.
Garnish with a lemon slice and a pinch of extra lemon zest or a fresh herb sprig. Serve immediately.

Tips & Notes

Homemade lemonade and good-quality store-bought lemonade both work—homemade will taste brightest.
The lemon zest is blended into the slush so it distributes flavor without a gritty mouthfeel. Don’t skip it if you want an extra citrus punch.
To make this alcohol-free, simply omit the vodka and follow the same method. The slushy texture makes the drink feel indulgent without alcohol.

Nutrition

Estimated per serving: Calories: 189 kcal; Carbohydrates: 23 g; Sugar: 22 g. Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation.

Photography by: The Wooden Skillet