John Daly Drink Recipe
The John Daly is just a boozy Arnold Palmer: equal parts unsweetened iced tea and lemonade balance each other so the drink isn't cloying, and the vodka stays neutral enough that the tea-lemonade flavor still comes through.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Servings
- 4
Ingredients
- 6 oz vodka
- 2 cups unsweetened black tea, brewed and chilled
- 2 cups lemonade, chilled
- 4 cups ice
- 4 slices lemon wheels, for garnish
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 149
- Protein
- 0g
- Carbs
- 14g
- Fat
- 0g
Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.
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Instructions
- 1Brew the tea and chill it completely, or use store-bought unsweetened iced tea straight from the fridge.
- 2Fill a large pitcher or four tall glasses with ice.
- 3Add the vodka, chilled tea, and lemonade to the pitcher.
- 4Stir gently for a few seconds to combine without churning up too much fizz or dilution.
- 5Pour into the ice-filled glasses and garnish each with a lemon wheel.
Tips & variations
- For a faster version, use a bottled half-and-half iced tea and lemonade blend and just stir in the vodka.
- Swap the vodka for bourbon to make what some bars call the 'Duval,' a whiskey riff on the same drink.
- Use fresh-squeezed lemonade instead of the bottled kind for a noticeably brighter, less sugary drink.
- To make it a mocktail, skip the vodka and add a splash of club soda for some fizz instead.
Storage & reheating
The tea-lemonade-vodka base can be mixed ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; add ice fresh to each glass at serving time so the drink doesn't get watered down sitting in the fridge.
Tips from the Tulo kitchen
- Chilling the glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before pouring keeps the drink cold longer without needing extra ice.
- Steep the tea a little stronger than usual if it's going over a lot of ice, since the ice will dilute it as it melts.
FAQ
What is a John Daly drink?
It's a vodka-spiked version of the Arnold Palmer, made with equal parts iced tea and lemonade, named after professional golfer John Daly, who was known for drinking a similar mix on the course.
Is a John Daly drink the same as an Arnold Palmer?
An Arnold Palmer is the non-alcoholic tea-and-lemonade mix; a John Daly is that same mix with vodka added, sometimes called an 'Arnold Palmer with a kick.'
What alcohol goes in a John Daly?
Vodka is standard because it's neutral and doesn't compete with the tea and lemonade, though some versions use bourbon or whiskey instead.
Can I make a John Daly drink without alcohol?
Yes, just leave out the vodka and add a splash of club soda or extra lemonade in its place; that reverts it to a classic Arnold Palmer.
