I grew up loving an Arnold Palmer. Half tea, half lemonade. No fuss. So when I heard the “John Daly” is the same thing with vodka? I had to make it. For anyone new to it, the John Daly cocktail is simply lemonade and iced tea spiked with vodka. (If you want the step-by-step breakdown, I first discovered the full John Daly cocktail method over at Roosterfish Bar.) I mixed a few versions over two weekends. Backyard grill, golf on TV, and yes, a Mason jar because I’m that person.
Let me explain how it went, what I used, and what I’d change next time.
What I used (real stuff in my kitchen)
- Vodka: Tito’s for the smooth batch. Deep Eddy Lemon (yep, the bright Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka that tastes like fresh-squeezed lemons) when I wanted extra zip. I tried Svedka too; it was fine, just sharper.
- Lemonade: Simply Lemonade (fresh taste), Country Time powder (cheap and sweet), and Chick-fil-A lemonade once, because I was already in the drive-thru.
- Tea: Luzianne family-size bags for classic iced tea. Lipton in a pinch. I also tried Milo’s Unsweet Tea from the grocery store when I got lazy.
- Ice: Big cubes from my freezer tray. I did one test with pellet ice from a friend’s Opal machine. That one watered down faster but felt fun to sip.
You know what? The brand you pick really changes the drink. Not a little—A LOT.
The base recipe that worked best
Here’s my “house pour.” It hits the sweet spot for most folks.
- 2 oz vodka
- 3 oz lemonade
- 3 oz iced tea (black tea)
- Lemon wheel and a small mint sprig (optional, but it wakes it up)
Build it in a tall glass with ice. Give it a quick stir. That’s it.
Tip: Brew tea for 4 minutes max. Any longer and it can taste bitter. I learned the hard way.
For extra inspiration on shaking up backyard-ready drinks, browse the creative recipe list at Roosterfish Bar.
My taste notes (and a tiny rant)
- Tito’s + Simply Lemonade + Luzianne tea: Clean, bright, not harsh. Tastes like a warm porch and a slow afternoon. I kept sipping without thinking. That’s the sneaky part.
- Deep Eddy Lemon + Milo’s Unsweet Tea: More lemon pop, less sugar. My friend called it “grown-up lemonade” and asked for another. I liked this one best.
- Svedka + Country Time + Lipton: Big sweetness. Fun for one glass, but my throat felt syrupy by glass two. Great for a crowd that likes sweet drinks, though.
Little thing that bugged me: Lemonade with pulp clogged my straw, which made me laugh and also mildly annoyed. So, pulp-free is easier for parties.
Quick bar talk (but keep it simple)
- Ratio matters. 1 part vodka to 3–4 parts mix keeps it easy drinking.
- Build in glass. No shaker needed. Stir works.
- Proof check. Higher-proof vodka hits harder, so sip first and see how you feel.
Easy tweaks, because we’re picky
- More tart: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon and a pinch of salt. Yes, salt. It softens any bitter edge from the tea.
- Less sweet: Use unsweet tea and a drier lemonade (or cut lemonade with water).
- Fizz it: Top with a splash of plain seltzer. I liked the bubbles more than I thought I would.
- Peachy: Swap in peach tea (I tried Snapple Peach Tea). It felt like a fairground in a glass.
- Frozen: Blend ice, lemonade, tea, and vodka. Thick slush. Careful—the brain freeze is real.
- Floral spin: Try the Masters-inspired Azalea cocktail with grenadine and pineapple juice — it pours a bright pink and feels right for any watch party.
- Berry twist: Swap lemonade for muddled berries and mix up a Raspberry Lemon Drop if you want something tart and vibrant.
Pitcher math for a cookout
This filled my 2-quart pitcher just right and served 6–8 cups, depending on the glass.
- 2 cups vodka
- 3 cups lemonade
- 3 cups iced tea
- Ice to the top; lemon wheels floating
Stir gently. Taste. If it’s too bold, add 1 cup cold water and a handful more ice.
If, while mixing up a batch, you start thinking beyond your usual circle of friends and wonder where to meet new adults who’d appreciate a no-fuss cocktail on the patio, consider reading this in-depth Adult Friend Finder review — the article breaks down the platform’s features, safety tips, and overall legitimacy so you can decide whether it’s a smart way to connect with like-minded party guests.
Looking for something even more upscale than a casual meet-up, perhaps the glitzy side of L.A. where the drinks flow as easily as the conversation? Explore the nuances of the Hollywood sugar-daddy scene — you’ll find insider tips on where to mingle, how to set expectations, and the etiquette that keeps these high-end arrangements both fun and drama-free.
What I loved
- It’s simple. No weird syrups, no fancy tools.
- It tastes like summer. Bright, friendly, easy to share.
- It’s flexible. You can make it tart, sweet, bubbly, or bold.
What I didn’t love
- It gets sweet fast with store lemonade. I had to cut it with water sometimes.
- Tea can turn bitter if you forget the timer. Been there.
- Pellet ice melts quick and weakens the last half of the glass.
A note on the non-alcoholic version
Want a no-booze round? Make an Arnold Palmer. Half lemonade, half iced tea. Add muddled strawberries or a mint sprig. My kids called it “fancy tea,” which made my Sunday.
My odd little gear note
A big cube (like a whiskey cube) kept the drink cold without watering it down too much. A metal straw made it colder on my lips, which I liked, but it also made me say “whoa” on the first sip. Tiny things matter.
Final sip: Would I make it again?
Oh, 100%. It’s a keeper. I’d reach for Deep Eddy Lemon with unsweet tea for an easy, bright mix. If I’m hosting, I’ll do Tito’s with Simply Lemonade and add a splash of seltzer so it doesn’t get too sweet.
Score from me: 8.5/10 for taste and ease. A little sugar-heavy if you’re not careful, but when it hits, it sings. And yes, I’ll be pouring it again next game day—lemon wheel and all.