The Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail is a legendary beverage known for its potency and deceptively innocent appearance. This mixed drink combines a variety of liquors – rum, tequila, vodka, gin, and triple sec – along with Triple Sec syrup, a splash of cola, and a lemon wedge, creating a complex cocktail.
While it may resemble a refreshing glass of iced tea, its boozy content packs a powerful punch!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
The Long Island Iced Tea is a fantastic choice for entertaining a crowd. It's a conversation starter and sure to liven up any gathering. Whether it's a game day gathering, or a holiday celebration, this iconic cocktail offers a complex flavor profile with a powerful kick, perfect for seasoned cocktail enthusiasts.
- Easy to Make: Despite its impressive ingredient list, the Long Island Iced Tea comes together quickly and requires minimal prep work.
- Party Favorite: The combination of five spirits creates a layered look, and making this cocktail a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at gatherings.
Ingredients You'll Need
While its exact origin story remains debated, the Long Island Iced Tea has become a staple on cocktail menus and a favorite for those seeking a flavorful and strong drink.
This recipe provides a classic version of the cocktail, but feel free to experiment with substitutions and variations to create your own signature Long Island Iced Tea.
- Vodka
- White Rum
- White Tequila
- Gin
- Triple Sec
- Coke
- Ice
- Lemon wedges (to squeeze, and as garnish)
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make A Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail
Gather your ingredients, shake things up, and get ready to experience this iconic cocktail! You will need a cocktail shaker for this drink. Don't have one? I chilled quart Mason jar works great in a pinch!
Add Ice To the Shaker
- Add ice to the cocktail shaker.
- Add the measured vodka, rum, tequila, gin, and triple sec to the shaker. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
Fill Your Glass with Ice
- Fill you ice tea glass with ice and shake the cocktail shaker to mix the booze.
Pour Into The Glass
- Strain your cocktail shaker contents into the ice filled glass.
Add the Coke and Lemon
- Add the coke straight into the glass so that the contents resemble iced tea.
- Garnish with a wedge of lemon and serve! Sip your Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail responsibly and savor its complex flavors.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making Long Island Ice Tea cocktails.
- Substitute sour mix for the Triple Sec for a tangier flavor profile.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this cocktail recipe:
- High-quality spirits will significantly enhance the flavor of your Long Island Iced Tea.
- Shake the cocktail vigorously to ensure the ingredients are well-chilled and properly combined.
- A splash of cola is all you need to add color and a hint of sweetness. Don't overpower the cocktail with cola.
Serving Suggestions
The Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail is a perfect party drink, ideal for gatherings and celebrations. It also makes a fun choice for game nights or casual gatherings. Serve it alongside appetizers or finger foods.
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Storage Options
- Cocktails are best enjoyed fresh. Avoid storing leftover Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail, as it will deteriorate quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lemon wedges are the classic garnish. However, you can also get creative and use other options like lime wedges or orange slices.
The Long Island Iced Tea is a potent drink due to the combination of multiple liquors. Consume responsibly.
A shaker is recommended to properly chill and combine the ingredients. However, in a pinch, you can build the cocktail directly in the glass with ice and stir vigorously.
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Long Island Iced Tea
Ingredients
- ice as needed
- 1 Ounce Vodka
- 1 Ounce White Rum
- 1 Ounce White Tequila
- 1 Ounce Gin
- 1 Ounce Triple Sec
- 1 Ounce Coke for color
- lemon slices garnish
Instructions
- Add ice to your shaker. Then add 1 ounce of vodka, rum, tequila, gin, and triple sec.1 Ounce Vodka, 1 Ounce White Rum, 1 Ounce White Tequila, 1 Ounce Gin, 1 Ounce Triple Sec, ice
- Fill your drinking glass with ice.
- Shake the contents of your shaker for 15 seconds. Then, strain your drink over your fresh ice.
- Add your coke straight to your glass to achieve a tea like color.1 Ounce Coke
- Garnish with a lemon slice if desired and enjoy!lemon slices
Notes
- This drink looks pretty intimidating, but it actually goes down much easier than you would ever think. It is smooth and refreshing, with the right amount of kick.
- Most of the flavor you get comes from the gin and triple sec, so a higher quality of those two is recommended.
- You can add more coke, if desired. Some like a darker long island and some like it lighter. This is a great in between to start with and adjust if need be.
- If you don’t like your drink over ice, simply chill your drinking glass for about 30 minutes before use.
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