John Daly Drink

Author Notes

John Daly is a professional American golf player—and he’s also the inspiration for one of the most refreshing, all-American cocktails, the John Daly Drink. It’s a boozier version of the Arnold Palmer, made with the usual duo of lemonade and black iced tea, plus vodka. Add a splash of orange liqueur to amplify the citrus flavor, and for a totally tart twist, garnish with a lemon wheel. Drink it on the course or poolside during the dog days of summer, and don’t forget to wear some outrageous pants, as Daly would.

We developed this recipe with store-bought lemonade and black iced tea, though feel free to brew your own. Wondering how to make homemade lemonade? Grab four to five lemons, granulated sugar, water, and salt. Mix the zest of 4 lemons with 1 cup of granulated sugar; let it sit for about an hour and then add it to a cup of boiling water. Simmer until dissolved—this is your lemony simple syrup! Strain it thoroughly into a pitcher and add 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 4 1/2 cups of water. Stir to combine and drink straight up with a twist or, better yet, mix with vodka and black iced tea for this summery cocktail. If you go this route, you may need to add a touch more simple syrup since homemade lemonade tends to be less sweet than the bottled variety.
—Kelly Vaughan