Long Island Iced Tea Recipe
Craving a show-stopping, boozy classic? This Long Island Iced Tea Recipe blends five spirits into one unforgettable alcoholic beverage—no tea leaves required.
When summer sun meets backyard laughter, nothing says “cheers” quite like this legendary cocktail. Born in the 1970s but eternally cool, the Long Island Iced Tea stands out because of its harmony: vodka, tequila, rum, gin and triple sec mingle seamlessly, crowned with a splash of cola and a twist of lemon. I first sipped mine on a sweltering Fourth of July afternoon—sticky fingers and all—and knew I had to share this festive drink on my blog. Whether you’re hosting a pool party or just craving a spirited pick-me-up, this recipe turns ordinary moments into mini celebrations.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ready in under 5 minutes—perfect for impromptu gatherings
• Uses pantry staples: no exotic liqueurs or hard-to-find mixers
• Customizable strength—adjust the spirits to suit your taste
• A crowd-pleaser: consistently ranks in the top 5 for popular cocktails in U.S. bars (12% order rate!)
• No special bar tools needed—just a shaker, jigger and glass
• Balanced sweetness and citrus zing, so it’s never cloying
• Ideal for making pitchers in advance—batch mix, top with cola at serving
• Retro charm meets modern flair—guests always ask for the recipe
Ingredients
• 1 oz vodka (Tito’s Handmade Vodka for smoothness)
• 1 oz white rum (Bacardi or your favorite light rum)
• 1 oz gin (Bombay Sapphire adds a citrusy note)
• 1 oz silver tequila (Patrón Silver or any clean-tasting brand)
• 1 oz triple sec (Cointreau or DeKuyper)
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice (about half a large lemon; strain out seeds)
• 1 tsp simple syrup (or ½ oz granulated sugar dissolved in warm water)
• 2–3 oz cola (classic Coca-Cola or craft cola for a subtle spice twist)
• Ice cubes (ideally large, for slower dilution)
• Lemon wedge or twist, for garnish
(Feel free to swap simple syrup with agave nectar for a hint of earthiness.)
Tips: Chill your spirits in the freezer for 10–15 minutes before mixing—nobody likes a tepid cocktail. Fresh citrus juice brightens the drink more than bottled.
Directions
1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Churning through warm ice can water down your drink—fresh, cold ice is key.
2. Add vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, lemon juice and simple syrup. Secure the lid, then shake vigorously for about 10 seconds, until the shaker’s exterior frosts.
3. Strain into a highball or Collins glass filled with fresh ice cubes. If you don’t have a strainer, just pour carefully.
4. Top with cola—pour slowly down the side of the glass to preserve fizz. Aim for about 2–3 ounces; you want a gentle cola cascade.
5. Give a gentle stir with a bar spoon or straw, just enough to lift the spirits through the cola without flattening it.
6. Garnish with a lemon wedge or twist. For extra flair, flame a lemon peel: hold it over the glass, pinch to spritz oils through a flame, then rub around the rim.
Servings & Timing
Yield: Serves 1 (1 classic cocktail, about 8–10 oz)
Prep Time: 5 minutes (including chilling jars)
Rest Time: 0 minutes (drink immediately)
Total Time: 5 minutes
Want to make more? Multiply ingredients by guests—batch in a pitcher, keeping cola and citrus separate until serving to retain fizz and flavor.
Variations
• Pink Island Iced Tea: add 1 oz cranberry juice for a rosy hue.
• Tropical Twist: swap cola for pineapple soda and garnish with a pineapple wedge.
• Tea Infusion: steep ½ cup strong black tea, chill, then replace half the cola.
• Diet-Friendly: use diet cola and skip simple syrup—still tastes sweet!
• Herbal Kick: muddle mint leaves before shaking for a mojito-esque lift.
• Smoky Island: swap tequila for mezcal for a whisper of smoke.
Storage & Reheating
Cocktails aren’t typically reheated, but you can prepare bases in advance:
• Make-ahead tip: combine all spirits and citrus in an airtight jug; refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add cola and ice just before serving.
• Batch storage: sealed in the fridge for up to 2 days; stir gently before plating into glasses.
• Shelf life: once mixed with cola, drink within 2 hours to preserve bubbles.
Notes
• Fresh lemon juice truly makes the flavor pop. I once tried bottled juice—tasted dull and flat.
• If your guests prefer milder drinks, reduce each spirit to ¾ oz and up the cola proportion.
• Large ice cubes slow dilution; consider silicone molds for jumbo cubes.
• Feel free to experiment with artisanal flavored syrups—lavender simple syrup gives a floral note.
FAQs
Q: What gives Long Island Iced Tea its color?
A: The splash of cola on top creates that signature amber hue.
Q: Can I make this non-alcoholic?
A: Absolutely—omit the spirits, use extra lemon juice, add iced tea and cola for a refreshing mocktail.
Q: Why shake before adding cola?
A: Shaking chills and blends the spirits; adding cola afterward preserves fizz and visual layers.
Q: What’s the best glassware?
A: A tall highball or Collins glass showcases the drink’s layers and holds ice well.
Q: My cocktail watered down too fast—help!
A: Use larger ice cubes or chilled glasses to slow melting.
Q: Can I substitute simple syrup?
A: Agave nectar or honey syrup work nicely; adjust sweetness to your taste.
Q: How do I adjust sweetness?
A: Tweak simple syrup amount—start with ½ tsp, taste, then add more if needed.
Q: Is there a low-calorie version?
A: Swap regular cola for diet cola and skip simple syrup—still tastes bright.
Conclusion
This Long Island Iced Tea Recipe captures the magic of a classic cocktail—strong, balanced, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re celebrating with friends or sipping solo, it’s a fuss-free way to impress. Give it a shake, let me know how it turned out, and explore more drinks on my blog—cheers to good times!
Long Island Iced Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 oz vodka (Tito’s Handmade Vodka for smoothness)
- 1 oz white rum (Bacardi or your favorite light rum)
- 1 oz gin (Bombay Sapphire adds a citrusy note)
- 1 oz silver tequila (Patrón Silver or any clean-tasting brand)
- 1 oz triple sec (Cointreau or DeKuyper)
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice (about half a large lemon; strain out seeds)
- 1 tsp simple syrup (or ½ oz granulated sugar dissolved in warm water)
- 2-3 oz cola (classic Coca-Cola or craft cola for a subtle spice twist)
- Ice cubes (ideally large, for slower dilution)
- Lemon wedge or twist, for garnish
Instructions
- Churning through warm ice can water down your drink—fresh, cold ice is key.
- Vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds.
- If you don’t have a strainer, just pour carefully.
- Pour slowly down the side of the glass to preserve fizz.
- For extra flair, flame a lemon peel for added aroma.
