Palmer In Bloom: A Floral Arnold Palmer Cocktail Recipe
A low-proof summer cocktail featuring Madame Noir Black Tea & a splash of Orange Bitters.
Some drinks just make you want to slow down and relax on the porch. Palmer In Bloom fits the mood perfectly.
Inspired by the classic Arnold Palmer, this floral twist blends black tea, lemonade, and bitters into something soft, refreshing, and just a little more playful. It feels like porch swings at golden hour, garden parties with good friends, and those rare summer afternoons when nobody’s asking anything from you.
This low proof summer cocktail is easygoing in the best kind of way. Bright citrus, gentle florals, and a touch of bitterness come together for a drink that feels relaxed and inviting.
WHAT MAKES THIS ARNOLD PALMER DIFFERENT?
At the heart of this cocktail is our Madame Noir Black Tea. It’s smooth and lightly floral with orange peel and lavender woven throughout. Softer than a traditional breakfast tea, but still bold enough to hold its own in the glass.
A few dashes of Orange Bitters brighten everything up and pull the citrus notes forward. The bitterness add depth without making the drink feel heavy and brings balance to the sweet lemonade.
For an extra layer of orange blossom and stone fruit flavor, a splash of Pavan adds a delicate, summery finish.
OPTIONAL WHISKEY TWIST
Palmer In Bloom shines beautifully as a low alcohol cocktail, but if you’re in the mood for something stronger, a shot of whiskey folds in surprisingly well. It turns the drink into something a little richer while still keeping the tea and citrus at the center.
WHY TEA COCKTAILS ARE PERFECT FOR SUMMER
There’s something about iced tea cocktails that feels naturally suited to summer. Maybe it’s the ritual of slowing down to brew something delicious. Or how tea carries so much flavor without being overly sweet while still making the drink undeniably refreshing.
This black tea cocktail keeps things simple. Brew the tea ahead, grab your favorite lemonade, and suddenly you’re halfway to a drink that feels effortless and nostalgic.
It’s a recipe that invites you to pause for a minute. To sit outside longer. To savor something cold and citrusy while the evening air starts to cool down.
PALMER IN BLOOM
1 1/2 oz lemonade
1 1/2 oz prepared Madame Noir Black Tea
1 oz bourbon (optional)
1/4 oz Pavan
1 dropper Orange Bitters
lemon wheel, to garnish
Prepare Madame Noir Black Tea according to package directions. Cool to room temperature or chill for 30 minutes. Shake lemonade, tea, whiskey, pavan, & bitters with ice. Strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with lemon.
MAKE IT YOUR OWN
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize.
Top it with sparkling water for a lighter, spritz-style version that feels especially good on hot afternoons. Try fresh herbs. Mint, basil, or even a little lavender can shift the drink in completely different directions while still keeping that bright citrus backbone. Try swapping in different tea blends. Cardamom Rose Green Tea makes an excellent variation, but I imagine a chamomile or citrus-forward tea also working well.
Once you start tinkering with flavors, you discover how fun (and delicious) it is to experiment. Who knows. Maybe you’ll even find your next signature porch sipper to drink again and again all summer long.
However you pour it, Palmer In Bloom is a reminder that slowing down is a pleasure worth savoring.
