You know the vibe. It’s a humid July afternoon, the kind where the air feels like a damp wool blanket, and you’re craving something that actually cuts through the heat. You reach for an Arnold Palmer. It’s the perfect 50/50 (or 60/40, if you’re a purist) split of iced tea and lemonade. But then, someone suggests "kicking it up a notch." Suddenly, you’re looking for an Arnold Palmer with alcohol, and things get a little blurry—not just from the booze, but from the names.
Is it still an "Arnie"? Or does it become something else entirely?
Honestly, if you ask for an "Arnold Palmer with vodka" at a bar, the bartender will know exactly what you want. But if you want to sound like you actually know your way around a clubhouse, there's a specific name you should be using.
What is an Arnold Palmer With Alcohol Called?
The most common name for this drink is a John Daly.
It’s named after the "bad boy" of golf, John Daly, who was basically the polar opposite of the polished, professional Arnold Palmer. While Palmer was known for his legendary swing and gentlemanly demeanor, Daly was famous for his long drives, colorful pants, and, well, his very public relationship with alcohol. Adding a splash of vodka to the classic tea-and-lemonade mix felt like the natural way to pay homage to a guy who lived life a bit more... loudly.
Some people call it a "Dirty Palmer" or a "Spiked Arnie," but if you're at a golf course or a halfway decent cocktail lounge, "John Daly" is the gold standard.
But wait. It gets more specific.
🔗 Read more: The Recipe With Boiled Eggs That Actually Makes Breakfast Interesting Again
If you swap the vodka for bourbon, some call it a Front Porch. Swap it for tequila, and you’ve got a Lee Trevino, named after another golf icon. It’s a whole ecosystem of drinks named after guys who spend way too much time on grass.
The Recipe: Getting the Ratios Right
Most people mess this up by going too heavy on the lemonade.
If you use too much lemonade, the drink becomes cloying. If you use too much tea, it’s thin. The secret to a perfect Arnold Palmer with alcohol isn't just dumping a shot into a glass; it's about the balance of tannin, acid, and sugar.
Here is how a pro actually builds one:
- The Base: Use 3 oz of high-quality black tea. Unsweetened is best because the lemonade usually brings enough sugar to the party.
- The Tartness: Add 2 oz of fresh-squeezed lemonade. If you’re using the stuff from a powder, just stop. Please.
- The Kick: Add 1.5 oz of vodka (for a John Daly) or bourbon.
- The Ice: Fill a highball glass to the brim. This drink needs to be ice-cold.
Stir it gently. Don’t shake it like a martini; you don't want to aerate the tea too much or break the ice down into slush.
Why Bourbon Might Be Better Than Vodka
I know, I know. A John Daly is "traditionally" made with vodka. But vodka is a neutral spirit—it doesn't bring much to the table other than a buzz.
💡 You might also like: Finding the Right Words: Quotes About Sons That Actually Mean Something
If you use a decent bourbon—something with notes of caramel and oak—it plays incredibly well with the tannins in the black tea. The corn sweetness of the whiskey bridges the gap between the tart lemon and the earthy tea leaves. It’s a more complex, grown-up version of the drink.
Commercial Options: Can You Buy It Pre-Mixed?
Sometimes you don't want to be a mixologist. You just want to grab a can and go.
The Arnold Palmer Spiked brand is the official heavy hitter here. It’s a collaboration between AriZona Beverages and the Molson Coors Beverage Company. It usually sits at about 5% ABV, which is roughly the same as a standard beer.
There are other players in the game now, too. Brands like Liquid Death have their own (non-alcoholic) versions that people frequently use as mixers, and "Hard Tea" as a category has exploded. You've got Twisted Tea, Owl’s Brew, and even Surfside, which uses real tea and vodka.
But let's be real: the canned stuff often tastes like chemicals and artificial sweeteners. If you have five minutes, mixing it yourself with real lemons and brewed tea is a massive upgrade.
The Myth of the "Original" Arnold Palmer
A lot of people think Arnold Palmer "invented" this combination. He didn't.
📖 Related: Williams Sonoma Deer Park IL: What Most People Get Wrong About This Kitchen Icon
Mixing tea and lemonade has been a thing in the American South for generations. It was just a smart way to stay hydrated. The story goes that Palmer used to make it at home and, one day in 1960 at a club in Palm Springs, he ordered it at the bar. A woman sitting nearby overheard him and said, "I'll have that Palmer drink."
The name stuck.
What’s interesting is that Palmer himself was famously a big fan of the non-alcoholic version. He actually preferred a ratio of about 75% tea to 25% lemonade. He wanted it "tea-forward." Most modern versions are 50/50, which is often too sweet for someone who actually likes tea.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Round
If you're planning on serving an Arnold Palmer with alcohol at your next BBQ or golf outing, keep these three things in mind to ensure it actually tastes good:
- Cold-Brew Your Tea: Instead of boiling water and waiting for it to cool (which can make tea bitter), throw some tea bags in a pitcher of cold water and leave it in the fridge overnight. It’s smoother and less astringent.
- Mint is Not Optional: Slap a sprig of fresh mint against the back of your hand before dropping it into the glass. This releases the oils and makes every sip smell incredible.
- Use Large Ice: Small ice cubes melt fast and turn your drink into watery tea-juice. Large cubes keep the temperature down without diluting the flavor before you can finish the glass.
Whether you call it a John Daly or a Spiked Arnie, the goal is the same: stay cool, stay refreshed, and maybe don't try to drive the green after your third one.
To get the best results, start by brewing a batch of strong black tea tonight. By tomorrow afternoon, you’ll have the perfect chilled base for a drink that tastes like a professional golfer’s weekend.