The John Daly Is A Clubhouse Classic

The John Daly Is A Clubhouse Classic

Everything You Need To Know About The John Daly

Named with a nod to the professional golfer’s colorful reputation, the John Daly is the "spiked" evolution of the Arnold Palmer. It is a straightforward, reliable highball that combines the crispness of unsweetened black tea with the tartness of lemonade, fortified by a clean vodka base. It has become a clubhouse standard for its high-volume accessibility and refreshing, low-effort build.

John Daly

Prep Time2 min
Yield1 Cocktail
Base SpiritVodka

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz Vodka
  • 3 oz Unsweetened Black Tea
  • 3 oz Lemonade
  • Lemon Wedge and Mint Sprig, for garnish
The John Daly Is A Clubhouse Classic

Instructions

  1. Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice.
  2. Add the vodka, followed by the lemonade and the black tea. Stir gently to integrate the ingredients without over-diluting.
  3. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of mint.
Pro Tip
The quality of the tea is paramount. Use a cold-brewed black tea to avoid the bitterness that can come from over-steeping hot tea. If the lemonade is very sweet, lean slightly heavier on the tea to maintain the drink's "Daylight-Social" balance.

John Daly Riff

A popular variation is the "Southern Daly," which swaps the vodka for Bourbon and uses sweet tea in place of unsweetened. This version adds a caramel depth that pairs well with the lemon.