The widely popular and undeniably iconic Long Island iced tea is an easy way to elevate your cocktail game. While it may seem intricate and complex at first glance, the Long Island iced tea recipe itself is surprisingly simple, yet it possesses an irresistible appeal that keeps people coming back for more.
The appeal of the cocktail lies in the exquisite combination of spirits that sets this drink apart. The Long Island iced tea recipe may seem like it's bursting at the seams with ingredients, but something magical happens when you toss those potent spirits together. It's like a chemistry experiment done right, where the individual flavours mellow and blend into something truly extraordinary.
Why is it called Long Island iced tea?
Figuring out its name is as tricky as the idea behind the drink! The first clarification we want to make is that there’s no tea among the Long Island iced tea ingredients. It got a place in the name probably because of the drink’s deceptive resemblance to an innocent glass of iced tea.
However, that’s not the only unexpected bit about its name. The mystery deepens when it comes to “Long Island”. While the drink was invented in Long Island, we’re not sure which one – New York or Tennessee. There are two tales about the invention of this drink. One credits Robert "Rosebud" Butt, a bartender at the Oak Beach Inn in Long Island, New York and the other credits Charles Bishop (Old Man Bishop) from Long Island in Kingsport, Tennessee.
So here we are with a drink that might not have all the facts straight about its naming, but then, what’s in a name?
how to make long island iced tea:
The Long Island iced tea ingredients are unusual and may seem complicated to put together. But they’re not – learning how to make long island iced tea is very easy. The idea of mixing all the types of liquor might be hard to digest (pun intended!) but the actual process is simple.
Our detailed long island iced tea recipe is given below but we’ll share the core of the process before you get to that.
So, you start by loading a cocktail shaker with ice. Then mix in all the Long Island iced tea ingredients except cola. Now, cap the shaker and shake it to mix all the spirits. Then, pour your Long Island cocktail in a glass or beer mug over ice. Finally, mix in the cola (for the deceptive look) and garnish with a slice of fresh lemon.
Let’s explore the details of our Long Island iced tea recipe.
Total Servings:-
2
Preparation Time:-
0 Minutes
Cooking Times:-
5 minutes
Nutritional Value:-
144 calories, 0g fat, 8g carbs, 0g protein
Recipe Category:-
drink/cocktail
Cuisine:-
american
equipment
- cocktail shaker
Below is the list of all the ingredients that go into the Long Island iced tea recipe.
ingredients
- 20 ml vodka
- 20 ml rum
- 20 ml tequila
- 20 ml gin
- 20 ml triple sec (like Cointreau)
- 30 ml lemon juice
- 60-70 ml cola (to top up as per taste)
- Lemon wedges and mint to garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients: To kick things off, gather all the ingredients required for the Long Island iced tea recipe.
- Mix them up: Pour ice and all the Long Island iced tea ingredients (except cola) into your cocktail shaker. Remember to hold back on the cola – that’s for later. Go ahead and shake them up! This blends the mix and chills it well.
- Transfer the drink: Grab your favourite glasses, add some fresh ice and pour the lively mix over it. We prefer straining the drink into the gasses but it’s not mandatory.
- Cola fusion: Now, give your Long Island cocktail its tea-look by topping it up with cola. Stir and garnish it with a slice of fresh lemon. Serve, sip and enjoy the drink.
secret tips and tricks to make the perfect long island cocktail:
Get ready to unlock the secrets to perfecting the Long Island iced tea recipe with these insider tips and tricks. Let's discover how to make Long Island cocktail like a true pro.
Quality Spirits: Choose high-quality spirits for your Long Island iced tea recipe. The blend of vodka, rum, gin, tequila and triple sec is the foundation of this iconic concoction, so invest in the good stuff. Nothing over the top. Just good stuff.
Fresh Ingredients: Don't skimp on freshness. Squeeze the tangy goodness of freshly squeezed lemon juice, ensuring a vibrant citrus punch that elevates the overall taste of your Long Island iced tea recipe.
Choose craft cola: Elevate the flavour of your Long Island iced tea recipe by opting for craft cola instead of the ordinary stuff. Their unique flavour profiles, often featuring natural extracts and spices, add a touch of sophistication to this classic drink.
Variations and Creative Twists
It's no surprise that a popular drink like the classic Long Island iced tea has different versions. With creative minds all around, and the drink being around for quite some time, people have had the chance to experiment and come up with their own twists.
Fortunately, these variations are not tricky to make and stick to the same steps but switch up some ingredients. Let’s explore some of the variations:
- Hawaiian iced tea: Use pineapple juice instead of cola for a tropical alternative.
- Long Beach iced tea: Swap cola for cranberry juice and mix properly.
- Boston tea party cocktail: This one can be made with Earl Grey tea for the Bergamot flavour or with coffee liqueur.
- Texas tea: It has an additional shot of whisky, and the taste depends on the kind of whisky chosen – Irish, Scotch, Rye or bourbon.
- Grateful Dead cocktail: Raspberry liqueur, tequila, vodka, rum and gin are used to make this variation.
conclusion
Long Island cocktail is an unusual drink with global popularity. Making a LIIT seems tricky with its long list of ingredients, but it's quite simple. Just mix equal parts of all the spirits and top it off with cola (yes, no need to measure it). That’s it – now you know how to make Long Island iced tea recipe.
Not keen on the classic version? No worries! There are lots of other versions to try with different combinations of ingredients. They are all similar to make all you need to do is swap some ingredients.
A quick heads-up! Long Island cocktails are pretty strong, so it's smart to stick to just one.
faqs on Long Island iced tea recipe
Q. What is the Long Island iced tea method?
A. Long Island iced tea recipe requires equal parts vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec and sour mix or lemon juice. Shake with ice, pour into a glass and top with cola (no need to measure the cola). Garnish with a lemon slice and serve.
Q. How much alcohol is a Long Island iced tea?
A. Long Island cocktail is a strong drink, containing around 22% alcohol – that comes from vodka, rum, gin, tequila and triple sec. It's tasty but powerful, so enjoy it slowly. Be mindful, as its strong kick may catch you by surprise.
Q. Can I use different types of spirits?
A. You can create variations of the Long Island iced tea recipe by using different types of spirits. You can experiment with various spirits like whiskey or flavoured vodkas to create your unique twist. Feel free to switch up the ingredients and make your cocktail in your style!
Q. Are there non-alcoholic versions of Long Island Iced Tea?
A. Non-alcoholic twists (virgin or mocktail versions) on the Long Island iced tea recipe are equally easy to make. Try using Earl Grey tea for a Bergamot kick. You can also use lemonade, soda or non-alcoholic versions of each spirit, blending them into a delicious booze-free LIIT.
