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The John Daly Cocktail is a perfect drink for summer…it’s an Arnold Palmer with an adult kick! A delicious combination of homemade lemonade, fresh-brewed sweet tea, and your favorite vodka, the John Daly Cocktail is light and refreshing
This post and recipe card were updated June 6, 2019
One of the first things I learned when I moved to Oklahoma is that sweet tea is basically its own religion in the South. People are very particular about their tea…it has to be brewed, and they’ll quickly tell you if it’s not. They’re also team sweet or team unsweet, and there’s no in between.
When I first heard about the Arnold Palmer I was super confused, because the only Arnold Palmer I knew was the golfer. Then I learned it’s a drink, a combination of iced tea and lemonade. I still didn’t get the appeal until I tried it. The Arnold Palmer is light and refreshing, and fabulous.
I decided to take it up a notch and make a Boozy Arnold Palmer. I just knew I had a hit and that nobody else had come up with the idea. Not only was I wrong, it already has its own name! But I didn’t let that stop me from sharing the John Daly Cocktail
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
- You use fresh-brewed tea and fresh lemonade
- You can adjust the amounts to your preference
- It’s a perfect, refreshing summer cocktail
You can make a John Daly cocktail in about one minute! Yes, it takes time to brew the tea and make the lemonade, but it’s worth it. Both are so simple to make, and brewed tea and fresh lemonade make a big difference in taste.
MAKING YOUR OWN ICED TEA AND LEMONADE
LEMONADE
- Use fresh lemons, and make the lemonade one day ahead
- For 4 cups of lemonade, I use 2-3 lemons, depending on the size of the lemons
- Add the lemons to a glass decanter, fill with water and rest for at least 4 hours, up to overnight. The longer it rests, the more flavor you get
- I do not sweeten the lemonade when I’m using it strictly as an Arnold Palmer or John Daly Cocktail, but of course it’s personal preference
ICED TEA
- Make the iced tea one hour ahead
- You can use Tea Bags or Iced Tea Bags. I’ve used both, and use them interchangeably
- Three easy steps to fresh-brewed tea
- Steep the tea bags in boiling water for about 5 minutes
- Add cold water or ice cubes
- Chill in the fridge for one hour
- Make sure to use a heat-proof container! Don’t be like me, when the glass pitcher shattered in my hands…
- I sweeten the iced tea with Demerera Sugar because that’s what I use in my coffee and I really like it. Of course, you can use regular White Sugar.
JUST ONE STEP FROM AN ARNOLD PALMER TO A JOHN DALY COCKTAIL
Vodka is what turns an Arnold Palmer into a John Daly Cocktail. My favorite brands are Tito’s and Grey Goose, but of course you can use your favorite
I don’t recommend a flavored vodka, because it will alter the flavor of the cocktail.
I garnish my John Daly Cocktail with mint because it adds a wonderful fresh bite to the drink.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use pre-prepared lemonade and/or iced tea? Yes, but I prefer the flavor of fresh-made.
What if I don’t like the proportions you recommend? The great thing with this drink is it’s SO easy to customize! Want it stronger? Add more vodka. Want more lemonade? Add more lemonade. I recommend experimenting with different proportions and figure out what you like best.
How much sugar should I use for the iced tea? That is personal preference. I use 2 Tablespoons for a 1 Liter bottle
What’s the best way to serve for entertaining? I like to keep the iced tea and lemonade separate, so my guests can make it to their preference.
MORE COCKTAIL RECIPES
WHAT GOES BEST WITH THE JOHN DALY COCKTAIL?
- Peppercorn Garlic Pork Chops
- Broccoli Salad with Homemade Dressing
- Funfetti Macaroni Salad
- Grilled Vegetable Fajitas
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John Daly Cocktail
The John Daly Cocktail is a perfect drink for summer…it’s an Arnold Palmer with an adult kick! A delicious combination of homemade lemonade home-brewed sweet tea and your favorite vodka, the John Daly Cocktail is light and refreshing
Ingredients
- 2 unsweetened iced tea bags
- 2-3 large lemons
- vodka (I use Tito's or Grey Goose)
- cold water
- sugar, to taste (I use 2 Tablespoons)
- fresh mint, for garnish
Instructions
- Slice lemons into 1/4" slices and add to a 1 liter glass decanter. Fill with water, and let rest overnight in the fridge
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Pour water into a heat-proof pitcher, add tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags. Add sugar, to taste. Pour in 4 cups cold water to dilute iced tea. Stir well, and chill in fridge for one hour
- TO MAKE ONE DRINK: Add ice cubs in a tall glass. Pour 4 ounces of iced tea; 2 ounces of lemonade, and 1 ounce of vodka. Stir, and garnish with a lemon slice and mint
Notes
I do not sweeten the lemonade, but you can do so if you choose
You can use Tea Bags or Iced Tea Bags. I’ve used both, and use them interchangeably
I don’t recommend a flavored vodka, because it will alter the flavor of the cocktail
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use pre-prepared lemonade and/or iced tea? Yes, but I prefer the flavor of fresh-made, and they're so easy to make
What proportions of tea and lemonade should I use? It’s up to you! I prefer more tea because I like the punch of flavor. But you could certainly go equal parts.
How much sugar should I use for the iced tea? That is personal preference. I use 2 Tablespoons for a 1 Liter bottle
What’s the best way to serve for entertaining? I like to keep the iced tea and lemonade separate, so my guests can make it to their preference.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 12ozAmount Per Serving:Calories: 27 Total Fat: 0g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 4mg Carbohydrates: 4g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 2g Protein: 0g
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
Oh man, I’m there with you girl; I’ve heard of Arny Palmers (in fact, they’re a summer time favorite in this household) but I never knew there was a boozy version, with a name no less! These sound amazing. And since we already love Arnold Palmers, we’ll definitely have to give these a try.
Elena says
I’ve never heard of John Daly cocktail but now that I’ve read your post, I will make sure to give it a try! It sounds amazing and I love vodka-based cocktails. You can’t have too many cocktail recipes in your back pocket, can you?
Karyl says
You are so right about that Elena! I hope you love the drink as much as I do. It’s so delicious and refreshing
Amanda Mason says
It’s so funny that I ran into this recipe because my husband loves Arnold Palmer! When he’s had it with vodka, it’s been crap vodka so I bet gray goose is amazing in this drink! I’m so making this for my hubby!!
Karyl says
Oh yeah, you’ve got to use the good stuff LOL! I hope he loves it as much as I do
Vanessa says
This sounds so refreshing! I love freshly brewed tea. My mom use to set a big jar out in the sun and make sun tea when I was a little girl.
Karyl says
What a great childhood memory! It’s just perfect for summertime
Tammy says
This sounds like such a great summer mix! So refreshing..definitely need to give this a try!
Eva says
Uhh I had never heard of this one before, but I love iced tea, to me it’s the perfect summer beverage. I also love vodka, so this sounds likea great summertime spiked beverage to enjoy in the sun!
Karyl says
I hadn’t heard of it before either…and that’s why I was so sure it was completely unique LOL!! I hope you make it this summer and enjoy it as much as I do!
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen says
I’ve never heard of either of these drinks either but they sound delicious! Looks like a great refreshing drink for summer!
Karyl says
It’s such a delicious drink, as the John Daly or the non-alcoholic Arnold Palmer. I hope you get a chance to try them
Denise says
I have made this recipe and it is delicious, refreshing and easy to drink. Its a hit at the summer parties for sure!
Karyl says
Yes it is delicious, refreshing and easy to drink! Thanks for the kind comments Denise
Aleta says
One of my favourite summer drinks is iced tea crossed with lemonaide, I buy it premade from the grocery store so this cocktail is right up my alley! I’ll be making a huge batch this weekend for Father’s Day, thanks for sharing 🙂
Karyl says
I’ve done it with premade from the grocery store in a pinch as well! I hope everyone enjoys it for Father’s Day this weekend
Nicoletta says
I don’t know much about cocktails, so I have not heard of John Daly cocktail. Love the ingredients in there, though, so I might attempt to make it! Thank you for sharing.
Karyl says
It’s so super easy Nicoletta, I hope you get a chance to try it!
Paula Montenegro says
I’m all in for making cocktails by adding vodka to regular drinks, especially those containing lemonade! Great recipe Karyl. I laughed when I read that you named it John Daly. I met him once btw.
Karyl says
Thanks Paula! I wish I could take the credit for the name, but it was actually a bartender that did that some years ago. But it’s very fitting 🙂
Elaine Benoit says
Yummy! I’ve heard of the Arnold Palmer cocktail but not the John Daly! This looks both refreshing and delicious and I’m sure will be a hit at my next summer gathering.
Karyl says
It’s so good Elaine! And I like that you can easily make it as strong or as tame as needed