What Is a Long Island Iced Tea Drink?

The Long Island Iced Tea (LIIT) is one of the world’s most infamous and beloved cocktails. It’s a true classic, not just for its refreshing taste but for its legendary, often potent, kick.

For those new to the bar scene or seasoned drinkers looking for a powerful yet easy-drinking option, this outline covers everything you need to know about this complex yet simple concoction

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What is a Long Island Iced Tea?

It is a highball cocktail traditionally made with five different clear spirits and a sweet-and-sour mix, topped with a splash of cola for color and sweetness. It contains zero actual iced tea, making its name a clever misdirection that has endured for decades.

People love it because it’s incredibly refreshing, boasts a deceptive taste that hides its strength, and remains a perennial party favorite for its efficiency.

Key Ingredients of a Long Island Iced Tea Drink

The power of the Long Island Iced Tea lies in its core list of alcoholic components, typically called for in equal measure.

• Core Spirits:
  • Vodka: Provides a clean, neutral base.
  • White Rum: Adds a subtle, tropical sweetness.
  • Gin: Contributes a botanical, herbaceous complexity.
  • Silver Tequila: Brings a slight earthy, peppery edge.
  • Triple Sec (or Cointreau): An orange-flavored liqueur that acts as a sweet binder for the other spirits.
• Mixers:
  • Fresh Lemon Juice: Crucial for the necessary tartness.
  • Simple Syrup (or Sour Mix): Provides the sweetness to balance the tartness and the sheer volume of alcohol.
  • Cola: Used only for a splash to achieve the signature iced-tea color and a final touch of sweetness.
• Garnish:
  • A simple Lemon Wedge or slice, often served with a Straw.

Also Read: National Coffee Day 2025: Best Freebies & Coffee Deals in the US

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The Long Island Iced Tea: A Deceptively Delicious Cocktail

The Long Island Iced Tea (LIIT) is one of the world’s most infamous and beloved cocktails. It’s a true classic, not just for its refreshing taste but for its legendary, often potent, kick.

For those new to the bar scene or seasoned drinkers looking for a powerful yet easy-drinking option, this outline covers everything you need to know about this complex yet simple concoction.

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Flavor Profile of a Long Island Iced Tea Drink

Despite the overwhelming volume and variety of spirits, a properly made LIIT does not taste overwhelmingly of alcohol. It’s a remarkable feat of mixology where the sweet and sour elements, combined with the mild fizz of the cola, manage to mask the heavy proof.

The flavor is sweet-tart and highly refreshing, dominated by the lemon and the bright orange of the triple sec. The cola simply deepens the flavor and provides the signature iced-tea-like appearance, making it easy—perhaps too easy—to drink.

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Classic Recipe for a Long Island Iced Tea Drink

The Long Island Iced Tea is typically a build cocktail, meaning the ingredients are poured directly into the glass over ice and gently stirred.

Step-by-Step Preparation:

1. Fill a Highball or Collins Glass with ice.
2. Pour 1/2 oz (15 ml) of each of the five core spirits (Vodka, Rum, Gin, Tequila, Triple Sec) over the ice.
3. Add 1 oz (30 ml) of fresh lemon juice and 1/2 oz (15 ml) of simple syrup (or 1.5 oz of a quality sour mix).
4. Stir the mixture gently to combine the spirits and mixers.
5. Top with a splash of cola (just enough to achieve the amber color).
6. Garnish with a lemon wedge and serve with a long straw.

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Popular Variations of a Long Island Iced Tea Drink

The LIIT’s simple structure makes it a perfect canvas for creative substitutions.

• Texas Tea: Adds a shot of Whiskey (or Bourbon) to the classic five spirits, increasing the complexity and, yes, the already high alcohol content.
• Long Beach Iced Tea: Replaces the cola with Cranberry Juice, resulting in a vibrant red color and a slightly fruitier, tarter flavor profile.
• Electric Iced Tea (or Adios, Motherfucker): Substitutes Blue Curaçao for triple sec and often uses lemon-lime soda instead of cola, creating a startling electric blue drink.

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Alcohol Content and Strength of a Long Island Iced Tea Drink

The Long Island Iced Tea is arguably the most famous example of a strong cocktail. With two to two-and-a-half ounces of 40% ABV spirits in one drink, it is generally considered to contain about 1.6 to 2.0 standard drinks in the United States, depending on the exact pour sizes.

• Standard ABV: When made with 1/2 oz of five 80 proof spirits (2.5 oz total alcohol) in a 16 oz glass, the typical Alcohol by Volume (ABV) hovers around 17% to 22%, putting it among the strongest highball cocktails you can order.
• Caution: Its deceptively refreshing taste makes it easy to drink quickly, which is why patrons are always advised to exercise caution and responsible consumption.

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Pairing and Occasions for a Long Island Iced Tea Drink

The Long Island Iced Tea is the quintessential summer party and bar cocktail. It is perfect for casual settings, pool parties, or anywhere you want a drink that lasts a while and delivers a punch.

• Occasions: Bars, nightclubs, casual dining, and summer gatherings.
• Food Pairings: The sweet-tart profile cuts through rich, savory flavors. It pairs well with classic bar snacks, fried appetizers, burgers, BBQ, and spicy Asian cuisine (especially those with sweet/sour elements).

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Tips for Making a Great Long Island Iced Tea Drink at Home

Forget the cloying, pre-made sour mixes. A truly great LIIT demands a little effort.

1. Balance Spirits Carefully: Use a jigger and measure the spirits in equal parts. Do not free-pour; this is a drink that will quickly get out of hand.
2. Use Fresh Citrus: This is the single biggest upgrade. Always use fresh-squeezed lemon juice instead of bottled sour mix. The bright, natural tartness is essential for cutting through the alcohol.
3. Chill Ingredients: Ensure all spirits and mixers are chilled before combining. This will slow down the melting of the ice, which is key to avoiding an overly diluted drink.

Also Read: Can We Drink Milk After Eating Fish? Myth vs Reality

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Origin and History of the Long Island Iced Tea Drink

The Long Island Iced Tea’s origin is famously debated, with two competing claims that place its creation fifty years apart.

• The Tennessee Claim (1920s – Prohibition Era): One story credits a man known as “Old Man Bishop” from a community called Long Island in Kingsport, Tennessee, during the Prohibition era. His original recipe included five liquors (including whiskey and maple syrup) and was disguised to look like non-alcoholic iced tea.
• The New York Claim (1970s – The Modern Classic): The most widely accepted story credits bartender Robert “Rosebud” Butt at the Oak Beach Inn on Long Island, New York, in 1972. Butt created the cocktail for a contest requiring a new drink using Triple Sec, resulting in the modern version we know today.

Regardless of which story is “the one,” the 1970s New York recipe, with its five equal clear spirits, triple sec, sour mix, and cola, is the one that shot the drink into global popularity.

Conclusion

The Long Island Iced Tea is an iconic cocktail that defies expectations. It’s a powerhouse drink—classic, potent, and surprisingly refreshing—that has earned its place in cocktail history.

Its simple appearance and complex, palatable flavor are the secrets to its enduring appeal. Just remember that the power of this drink is no illusion: enjoy responsibly, and never underestimate the Tea!

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