Grateful Dead Drink

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Just one glass of a Grateful Dead cocktail might have you dancing barefoot to “Sugar Magnolia” in the moonlight.

Being an Army brat, you find yourself moving and traveling quite a bit. Every few years my family would pack everything up and drive across the country to a new post. You see a lot of America from the side window of a Chevy family van. And you eat at a lot of fast food places at random rest stops along the way. One day, we were standing in line at a McDonald’s in the middle of nowhere, somewhere in Upstate New York. It was just my family and a handful of hippies. I was fascinated by the bandanas, tie-dye clothes, bare feet and really, really relaxed attitude they had. Super friendly, too. I had only seen people dressed like this in movies and television shows about the sixties. They seemed like they stepped out of a time warp, bringing with them the munchies for some McRibs. As we left and hit the road, I asked my father who those folks were.

“Deadheads. They’re following the band around.”

That didn’t help. To paraphrase Lisa Simpson, I knew those words, but that sentence made no sense. After a few minutes, my dad explained what a Deadhead was, and who the Grateful Dead were. Some weeks later, while we were visiting my grandparents in Queens, NY, I saw a music video for the song “Touch of Grey” on U68, and legitimately thought that the band’s name was supposed to be taken literally. I was young.

Speaking of New York—I’m bringing it home, don’t worry—tonight’s cocktail is an inspired version of the Long Island Iced Tea, called the Grateful Dead. While nobody knows who crafted this take on the classic drink, its swirly, tie-died-looking color probably inspired the beverage taking the band’s name as its own.

You don’t need to know who the Dead were, but if you plan on mixing this concoction up for yourself, a little musical accompaniment from them wouldn’t hurt.

What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Grateful Dead Cocktail?

When making this kind of cocktail, it’s best to stick with spirits that are of a similar color. Vodka and gin are already clear, so when you pick out your tequila and rum, make sure those liquors favor the others. Silver rum and blanco tequila is what you’re looking for. The consistency of the hue of the alcohol you use will ensure the trippy color the final result has. You don’t have to spend a lot of money buying top-shelf bottles of all of these, but don’t go for the cheapest brands either. You don’t want any headaches after drinking a Grateful Dead or two.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Fill a collins or highball glass with ice before pouring your drink in. Then garnish with a plump and juicy lemon wedge.

ANY SONG SUGGESTIONS TO PLAY WHILE SIPPING ON THIS DRINK?

There are some nice, chill tracks from the Grateful Dead you can throw on while relaxing with tonight’s drink. “Ripple” is a good one, as is “Uncle John’s Band”. Pretty much anything on Workingman’s Dead or American Beauty.

Grateful Dead Drink Variations

The Grateful Dead is one of those recipes. What I like to refer to as a “kitchen sink” cocktail. A little bit of everything thrown in. And half the time, only one of them will get you where you want to go a lot faster than other alcoholic beverages. If you’re feeling like something tall and powerful is in order, especially with the weekend just around the corner, Twist & Toast has a nice array of this type of tipple. Check out a few of them right here.

• Blue Motorcycle – Also known as an AMF or a Walk Me Down, this bright blue beverage is both sweet and strong.
• LA Water – Murky, green and good, the LA Water cocktail tastes nothing like its namesake, thankfully.
• Texas Tea – Bourbon and dark cola cap off this potent potion.
• Long Beach Iced Tea – A tart and tangy West Coast take on the Long Island original.