The REAL Long Island Iced Tea: The Ultimate Guide to This Classic Cocktail

The Long Island Iced Tea stands as one of the most infamous cocktails in the bartending world. Despite its innocent name and appearance that mimics a refreshing glass of iced tea, this cocktail packs a serious punch with its combination of multiple spirits. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply want to master a classic cocktail recipe, understanding how to make a proper Long Island Iced Tea is an essential skill for any home bartender. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about creating this deceptively potent concoction.

What Is a Long Island Iced Tea?

The Long Island Iced Tea is a cocktail that contains five different spirits: vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and triple sec (an orange-flavored liqueur). Despite its name, it contains no actual tea. The cocktail gets its name from its appearance, which resembles iced tea when cola is added. The combination of these spirits with sweet and sour mix and a splash of cola creates a surprisingly smooth and balanced drink that masks the high alcohol content.

This classic cocktail originated in the 1970s and has remained popular ever since. Its potency makes it a favorite for those looking for a strong drink, while its balanced flavor profile makes it more approachable than you might expect from a cocktail containing five different spirits.

Authentic Long Island Iced Tea Ingredients

The secret to a perfect Long Island Iced Tea lies in balancing the various spirits with just the right amount of mixer. Here’s what you’ll need for the authentic recipe:

• ½ fluid ounce vodka
• ½ fluid ounce rum (preferably white rum)
• ½ fluid ounce gin
• ½ fluid ounce tequila (silver, blanco, or white)
• ½ fluid ounce triple sec (orange-flavored liqueur)
• Sweet and sour mix (alternatively, you can use lemon juice and simple syrup)
• Cola
• Ice
• Lemon wedge or slice for garnish

Essential Equipment

To properly prepare a Long Island Iced Tea, you’ll need a few basic bar tools:

• Cocktail shaker
• Strainer
• Collins glass or hurricane glass
• Jigger or measuring tool

How to Make the Perfect Long Island Iced Tea

Follow these step-by-step instructions to create the authentic Long Island Iced Tea experience:

Step 1: Prepare Your Glass and Ingredients

Fill a Collins glass or hurricane glass with fresh ice. Measure out all your spirits using a jigger or measuring tool to ensure precise proportions. Having all ingredients ready will make the mixing process smoother.

Step 2: Fill the Shaker

Add plenty of ice to your cocktail shaker. Pour in the vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and triple sec. If using sweet and sour mix, add it now (typically 1-2 ounces, depending on your preference for sweetness). If you’re using the separate components instead, add about 1 ounce of lemon juice and ¾ ounce of simple syrup.

Step 3: Shake It Up

Cover the cocktail shaker securely and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. This not only chills the mixture but also properly combines all the ingredients and dilutes the alcohol slightly, creating a more balanced flavor profile.

Step 4: Strain and Serve

Strain the mixture into your prepared glass filled with ice. Leave enough room at the top for the cola.

Step 5: Add Cola and Garnish

Top the drink with a splash of cola, which gives the cocktail its signature iced tea color. Garnish with a lemon wedge or slice on the rim of the glass for both visual appeal and a hint of additional citrus aroma when sipping.

Expert Tips for the Best Long Island Iced Tea

To elevate your Long Island Iced Tea from good to exceptional, consider these insider tips from experienced bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts:

Quality of Spirits

While you don’t need to use top-shelf spirits (since the flavors blend together), avoid the cheapest options. Mid-range spirits will provide a smoother taste without breaking the bank. The quality of your ingredients directly affects the final result.

Balance is Key

The secret to a great Long Island Iced Tea is achieving the perfect balance between the alcoholic strength and the sweetness. Too much cola or sweet and sour mix will make it overly sweet; too little will make the alcohol overwhelming. Start with the recommended measurements and adjust to your taste.

Proper Dilution

Don’t skimp on the shaking time. A proper shake with plenty of ice not only chills the drink but also provides the right amount of dilution, which is essential for blending the various spirits together harmoniously.

Fresh Citrus

If you’re making the sweet and sour component yourself, always use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled versions. The bright, fresh citrus flavor makes a noticeable difference in the final cocktail.

Popular Variations

While the classic Long Island Iced Tea recipe remains a favorite, several variations have emerged over the years that put unique twists on this potent cocktail:

Long Beach Iced Tea

This variation substitutes cranberry juice for the cola, giving the drink a beautiful red color and adding a tart flavor that complements the spirits.

Texas Tea

This version adds bourbon to the already spirit-heavy mix, creating an even more potent cocktail with a subtle whiskey undertone.

Miami Iced Tea

Replaces the cola with peach schnapps and lemonade for a sweeter, more tropical flavor profile that’s perfect for summer.

Electric Iced Tea

Substitutes the cola with blue curaçao and lemon-lime soda, creating a striking blue cocktail with a citrus kick.

Non-Alcoholic Version

For those who enjoy the flavor profile but prefer to skip the alcohol, a mocktail version can be created using various tea blends, lemon juice, simple syrup, and cola.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

The Long Island Iced Tea is typically enjoyed as a standalone drink due to its high alcohol content and complex flavor profile. However, if you’re serving this at a gathering, consider these pairing suggestions:

Food Pairings

The cocktail pairs well with savory appetizers that can stand up to its bold flavor profile. Consider serving it alongside:

• Spicy chicken wings
• Loaded nachos
• Cheese platters with bold cheeses
• BBQ dishes

Serving Occasions

While versatile, the Long Island Iced Tea is particularly well-suited for:

• Casual cocktail parties
• Summer gatherings
• Poolside events
• Evening celebrations

The History and Legend of the Long Island Iced Tea

The origins of the Long Island Iced Tea are somewhat disputed, with multiple claims to its creation. The most widely accepted story attributes its invention to Robert “Rosebud” Butt, who created the drink as an entry in a cocktail contest while working at the Oak Beach Inn on Long Island, New York, in the 1970s.

Another claim dates the cocktail back to the Prohibition era, suggesting it was created as a way to disguise alcohol consumption by making the drink look like innocent iced tea. While this makes for a compelling story, most cocktail historians consider the 1970s origin more likely.

Regardless of its exact origins, the Long Island Iced Tea has secured its place in cocktail culture as one of the most recognized and ordered drinks worldwide.

Community Tips and Praise

The Long Island Iced Tea has garnered quite a following, with many cocktail enthusiasts sharing their own tips and experiences with the drink:

“This IS the Original and Famous LIIT recipe! You got it so right! The only thing I do differently is put it all in the Tom Collins glass and then roll it into a shaker and back in the Tom Collins glass and then garnish with lemon!”

This technique of “rolling” the drink between the glass and shaker, rather than vigorously shaking it, provides a gentler mix that some prefer for maintaining the distinct character of each spirit.

“This was plenty strong, and tasted WAY better than what you pick up in a normal bar. I know it’s not ‘authentic’ but the first time I made this, we actually didn’t have cola on hand, so I subbed with ginger ale, and it was pretty dang good that way too!”

This creative substitution highlights how versatile the basic recipe can be, opening up possibilities for personalization based on preference or available ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why is it called a Long Island Iced Tea when it doesn’t contain any tea?

A: The cocktail gets its name from its appearance, which resembles iced tea when cola is added, and from its supposed origin on Long Island, New York. Despite looking like iced tea, it contains no actual tea.

Q: Is a Long Island Iced Tea really as strong as people say?

A: Yes, it’s one of the strongest cocktails commonly ordered. It contains five different types of alcohol, making it quite potent. Always enjoy responsibly and be aware of its high alcohol content.

Q: Can I make a Long Island Iced Tea in advance for a party?

A: You can pre-mix the alcoholic components and sweet and sour mix, but it’s best to add the cola and ice just before serving to maintain carbonation and prevent dilution.

Q: What can I substitute for sweet and sour mix?

A: You can easily make your own by combining fresh lemon juice and simple syrup. Typically, a combination of 1 part simple syrup to 1.5 parts lemon juice works well.

Q: Are there any lower-alcohol versions of this cocktail?

A: Yes, you can create a “lighter” version by reducing the amount of each spirit and increasing the cola. However, this will change the flavor balance, so adjust to taste.

The Long Island Iced Tea remains a cocktail bar staple and a testament to how seemingly disparate spirits can come together to create a surprisingly harmonious drink. Whether you’re making it for a party or simply want to perfect a classic cocktail, following this authentic recipe will ensure you achieve the perfect balance of flavors that has made this drink a classic for decades.

Author

Anjali Sayee

 

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee