Long Island Iced Tea

The Long Island Iced Tea is a powerful and refreshing cocktail that packs a punch. Despite its name, it contains no actual tea. Instead, it’s a mix of several spirits combined with sour mix and cola, giving it a tea-like appearance. This cocktail is perfect for summer parties and gatherings.

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Yields1 Serving
Ingredients
 ½ oz Vodka (Recommended: Smirnoff, Absolut)
 ½ oz White Rum (Recommended: Bacardi, Captain Morgan White)
 ½ oz Gin (Recommended: Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire)
 ½ oz Tequila (Recommended: Jose Cuervo Silver, Espolón Blanco)
 ½ oz Triple Sec (or Cointreau)
 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
 1 oz Simple Syrup (or sour mix)
 1 splash Cola (to top off)
 Ice Cubes
 Lemon Wedge
 Fresh Mint Sprig (optional)
Equipment
1
  • Cocktail shaker

  • Hawthorne strainer

  • Highball or Collins glass

  • Cocktail stirrer

  • Straw

Instructions
2
  • Prepare the Glass:

    • Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice and set aside.

  • Combine Ingredients:

    • In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

    • Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.

  • Strain and Pour:

    • Strain the mixture into the prepared glass filled with ice.

  • Top Off:

    • Top off with a splash of cola for that signature "iced tea" appearance.

 

  • Garnish and Serve:

    • Garnish with a lemon wedge on the rim of the glass.

    • Add a mint sprig for a refreshing aroma.

    • Insert a straw and serve immediately.

Serving and Presentation
3
  • Serve immediately while the cocktail is cold and the carbonation from the cola is fresh.

  • The drink is typically served in a tall glass to accommodate all the ingredients and ice.

Pairing Suggestions
4
  • Appetizers: Spicy buffalo wings, nachos, or mozzarella sticks.

  • Main Course: BBQ ribs, cheeseburgers, or grilled chicken tacos.

  • Dessert: Lemon sorbet, chocolate brownie, or vanilla ice cream.

Tips and Variations
5
  • Stronger Long Island Iced Tea: Increase each spirit to 0.75 oz for a more potent version.

  • Peach Long Island Iced Tea: Add 0.5 oz peach schnapps for a fruity twist.

  • Blue Long Island Iced Tea: Replace cola with lemon-lime soda and add 0.5 oz blue curaçao.

  • Texas Tea: Add 0.5 oz bourbon for an extra layer of complexity.

  • Virgin Long Island Iced Tea: Omit the alcohol and increase the lemon juice, simple syrup, and cola for a refreshing mocktail.

Cocktail Trivia
6
  • The Long Island Iced Tea was reportedly invented in the 1970s by bartender Robert "Rosebud" Butt during a contest to create a new mixed drink using triple sec.

  • Despite its high alcohol content, the cocktail is deceptively smooth, making it a popular party drink.

Ingredients

Ingredients
 ½ oz Vodka (Recommended: Smirnoff, Absolut)
 ½ oz White Rum (Recommended: Bacardi, Captain Morgan White)
 ½ oz Gin (Recommended: Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire)
 ½ oz Tequila (Recommended: Jose Cuervo Silver, Espolón Blanco)
 ½ oz Triple Sec (or Cointreau)
 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
 1 oz Simple Syrup (or sour mix)
 1 splash Cola (to top off)
 Ice Cubes
 Lemon Wedge
 Fresh Mint Sprig (optional)

Directions

Equipment
1
  • Cocktail shaker

  • Hawthorne strainer

  • Highball or Collins glass

  • Cocktail stirrer

  • Straw

Instructions
2
  • Prepare the Glass:

    • Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice and set aside.

  • Combine Ingredients:

    • In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

    • Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.

  • Strain and Pour:

    • Strain the mixture into the prepared glass filled with ice.

  • Top Off:

    • Top off with a splash of cola for that signature "iced tea" appearance.

 

  • Garnish and Serve:

    • Garnish with a lemon wedge on the rim of the glass.

    • Add a mint sprig for a refreshing aroma.

    • Insert a straw and serve immediately.

Serving and Presentation
3
  • Serve immediately while the cocktail is cold and the carbonation from the cola is fresh.

  • The drink is typically served in a tall glass to accommodate all the ingredients and ice.

Pairing Suggestions
4
  • Appetizers: Spicy buffalo wings, nachos, or mozzarella sticks.

  • Main Course: BBQ ribs, cheeseburgers, or grilled chicken tacos.

  • Dessert: Lemon sorbet, chocolate brownie, or vanilla ice cream.

Tips and Variations
5
  • Stronger Long Island Iced Tea: Increase each spirit to 0.75 oz for a more potent version.

  • Peach Long Island Iced Tea: Add 0.5 oz peach schnapps for a fruity twist.

  • Blue Long Island Iced Tea: Replace cola with lemon-lime soda and add 0.5 oz blue curaçao.

  • Texas Tea: Add 0.5 oz bourbon for an extra layer of complexity.

  • Virgin Long Island Iced Tea: Omit the alcohol and increase the lemon juice, simple syrup, and cola for a refreshing mocktail.

Cocktail Trivia
6
  • The Long Island Iced Tea was reportedly invented in the 1970s by bartender Robert "Rosebud" Butt during a contest to create a new mixed drink using triple sec.

  • Despite its high alcohol content, the cocktail is deceptively smooth, making it a popular party drink.

Notes

Long Island Iced Tea
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