Photograph by Martyn Thompson Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero Prop Styling by Theo Vamvounakis
    
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951)

Bourbon Arnold Palmer

Cocktails & Beverages from Issue 3 – Spring / Summer 2013 – Rough Cut

In A Streetcar Named Desire Tennessee Williams focuses on a personality clash between coarse Stan (played with singular sensual brutality by Marlon Brando) and Blanche, a fading Southern belle clinging to decorum—the two share a distaste for each other and a serious taste for the hooch. While they take their bourbon straight, we add black tea and lemonade to refreshing effect. As she says, “a hot bath and a long, cold drink always give me a brand new outlook on life.”

makes 6 cocktails (pictured right)




  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 4 bags simple black tea
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 6 oz chilled bourbon (about ¾ cup)

  • 1

    In a bowl, stir together 2 cups boiling water and sugar until dissolved. Add teabags, steep 4 to 5 minutes then discard. Stir in 3 cups cold water and chill completely. Stir in lemon juice and bourbon. Serve in tall ice-filled glasses.