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Tom Arnold Cocktail Drink

Tom Arnold Drink Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Refresh yourself with the Tom Arnold Drink recipe this summer! Blend vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and chilled black tea for a delightful cocktail.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 165

Ingredients
 

  • 1½ oz Vodka
  • 1½ oz lemon juice
  • ¾ oz simple syrup
  • 2 oz chilled or cold-infused Black Tea
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon wheel or twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Highball Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Shaker
  • Cocktail Strainer

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Fill a Highball glass with ice. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
  • Add Sugar Syrup: Pour ¾ oz simple syrup into the shaker.
  • Add Lemon Juice: Add 1½ oz lemon juice.
  • Add Black Tea: Measure and pour 2 oz chilled or cold-infused Black Tea of your choice into the shaker.
  • Add Vodka: Finally, add 1½ oz Vodka to the mix.
  • Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
  • Strain: Discard the ice in the Highball glass and refill it with a generous amount of fresh, new ice cubes. Then, use the cocktail strainer to strain the shaken drink into the ice filled glass.
  • Garnish: Garnish with a lemon wheel or twist and serve immediately.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Vodka: If you don't have vodka, you can use gin for a more botanical flavor or white rum for a sweeter profile. I've also tried tequila, which adds an exciting twist.
  • Simple Syrup: You can make your syrup by dissolving sugar and water in equal parts over low heat. Honey syrup (2 parts honey mixed with 1 part warm water) works well, too.
  • Black Tea: Any strong brewed tea can work here, either flavored (such as Earl Grey) or not. I've used green tea for a lighter taste and even chai tea for a spiced version.
  • Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best, but bottled lemon juice will do in a pinch. Fresh lime juice can also be used for a different citrus note.

Making a Pitcher of Tom Arnold:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of vodka, 6 oz of simple syrup, 16 oz of black tea, and 12 oz of lemon juice.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the vodka, simple syrup, black tea, and lemon juice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled highball glasses, garnish with a lemon slice or twist, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Vodka Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic spirit that mimics vodka's neutral flavor; these are available and work quite well. You can also simply omit it to make an Arnold Palmer, which will be just equally delicious.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of vodka, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version. 

Making it Vegan:

The Tom Arnold cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including vodka, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process, especially if a filtration process is involved. Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan. The same goes for the sugar syrup, as some sugar may be processed over bone char.