Long Island Iced Tea

A delicious but potent cocktail that includes no fewer than five spirits – Vodka, Rum, Tequila, Gin, and Triple Sec – complemented by the tang of Lemon Juice and the subtle sweetness of Cola.

“You’d be surprised how well those five spirits blended together can be that palatable but it’s a refreshing-tasting drink!” explains Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador.

It has a similar taste to Iced Tea, and although its name suggests otherwise, Long Island Iced Tea does not include Tea. It has a pretty stiff and boozy character that’s perfectly balanced with the tart, sweet and fresh flavors of fresh Lemon Juice and Cola. 

This cocktail might not be everyone’s cup of tea due to its strong alcohol flavor, but if you’re into cocktails, it’s a must-try. It uses a little bit of almost every base spirit usually you’ll find in a home bar, so you’ll want to use smaller measures than your typical cocktail.

The origin of this cocktail is the subject of several competing stories. One tale attributes the cocktail to a man who worked at a nightclub on Long Island, New York in 1972 who entered this cocktail into a contest to create a new mixed drink using Triple Sec. 

Another story suggests the cocktail was invented during the 1920’s prohibition in a speakeasy as a way to disguise an alcoholic beverage so that it looked like Iced Tea.

Despite its delicious and distinct taste, few bartenders were offering it until its popularity exploded due to a New York newspaper article calling it “The Unofficial Drink of Summer” in 1972. 

Since then, this cocktail has been enjoyed around the world as one of people’s favorite summer cocktails.

There are many variations of this cocktail. For example, in the video above, you’ll see Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador Rico make a Long Island Iced Tea, which differs slightly from the written recipe on this page. Rico’s recipe calls for half a part of each spirit and the addition of Simple Syrup.

Hawaiian Iced Tea – If you replace the Cola with Pineapple Juice, you’ll end up with what’s known as a Hawaiian Iced Tea. And it’s absolutely delicious!

Texas Tea – If you add Whiskey to what’s already a very potent cocktail, you have what’s known as a Texas Tea. 

Long Beach Iced Tea – If you substitute the Cola with Cranberry Juice, you have a Long Beach Iced Tea. So good. So fruity!

Boston Tea Party – Many people wonder, “Can you make a Long Island Iced Tea without Triple Sec?” and the answer is, well, yes…but then it’s no longer a Long Island Iced Tea. For example, if you use Blue Curaçao instead of Triple Sec, and Lemon-Lime Soda instead of Cola, you’ve got a Boston Tea Party cocktail.

The secret to making a truly great Long Island Iced Tea lies in the size. We think that the classic Highball Glass that they usually come in can be a bit much, so we prefer serving this cocktail in a Rocks Glass instead. This way, you’ll have more control over temperature and dilution, making sure whoever is drinking it gets a perfect sip. To learn more about drink glasses check out our post on different glass types.

This cocktail is usually garnished with a Lemon Wheel which sits on the rim of the glass. The bright, citrusy flavor of the lemon complements the cocktail’s blend of spirits and adds a beautiful fresh, citrusy aroma. Other suggestions are a Lime Wedge or even an Orange Slice. Basically, you can’t go wrong with a citrus garnish.