Ingredients
- 3/4 oz Vodka
- 3/4 oz Gin
- 3/4 oz White Rum
- 3/4 oz Tequila
- 3/4 oz Melon Liqueur
- 1 Sugar Syrup
- Lemonade
Instructions
Combine the Ingredients:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 3/4 oz of vodka, 3/4 oz of gin, 3/4 oz of white rum, 3/4 oz of tequila, 3/4 oz of melon liqueur, and 1 oz of sugar syrup. The mix of spirits with the melon liqueur gives the Tokyo Ice Tea its distinctive flavor and color.
Shake Well:
- Shake the mixture vigorously to ensure all the ingredients are well combined and chilled. This helps to blend the flavors and achieve the right consistency.
Strain and Serve:
- Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice. The highball glass is ideal for showcasing the vibrant green color of the drink.
Top with Lemonade:
- Top off the glass with lemonade. The lemonade adds a refreshing citrusy fizz that balances the strength of the spirits.
Garnish (Optional):
- Garnish with a lemon wedge or a cherry for an extra touch of elegance and flavor.
Video
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Tokyo Ice Tea is a child of the 80s or 90s, when Long Island Iced Teas were all the rage and bartenders were experimenting with different liqueurs. No clean attribution exists, but it certainly emerged from the same era of big, boozy drinks with deceptive names.
This drink is a clear cousin to the Long Island Iced Tea, swapping out cola for lemonade and triple sec for melon liqueur. It keeps the same "everything but the kitchen sink" spirit base, just with a different flavor profile. It's a party drink, pure and simple.
You'll find this one holding court in college town bars, karaoke nights, or anywhere people want a drink that looks fun but means business. It's not a quiet sipper; it's a good time in a glass.
What it tastes like
Expect a sweet and fruity punch up front, thanks to the melon liqueur and lemonade. The blend of four base spirits gives it a complex, boozy backbone that peeks through the sweetness. It's surprisingly smooth for the amount of alcohol it contains, but definitely lets you know it's there.
With 3 oz of 80-proof spirits and 3/4 oz of a 40-proof liqueur, this drink packs a serious wallop. We're talking around 2.5 standard drinks here, making it roughly equivalent to three or four regular beers. Don't plan on driving after a couple of these.
The technique
Building a Tokyo Ice Tea is a straightforward affair: load up a shaker with ice, pour in all the spirits, the melon liqueur, and the sugar syrup. Give it a good, hard shake until it's properly chilled. Strain it into a fresh highball glass filled with ice, then top with lemonade.
Don't skimp on the shake. Really give it some muscle. This isn't just about chilling; it's about getting those diverse spirits and sweet components to play nice together before the lemonade hits. A lazy shake means a less integrated, harsher drink.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Melon Liqueur
- Use
- Midori is the standard here, but any quality bright green melon liqueur will do the trick.
- Skip
- Anything that tastes artificial or overly sugary. Cheap stuff will make this drink cloying.
- Why
- This is what gives the Tokyo Ice Tea its signature vibrant green color and most of its fruity sweetness. It's the key differentiator from its LIIT cousin.
Lemonade
- Use
- A good quality, not-too-sweet lemonade. Freshly squeezed is always the winner if you have it.
- Skip
- Syrupy, artificial lemon-flavored soda. It'll throw the balance way off.
- Why
- The lemonade cuts through the sweetness and the booziness, adding a necessary tart fizz and making the whole thing refreshing. It's the "tea" part of this "iced tea" that isn't tea at all.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Long Island Iced Tea
- The original "iced tea" with no tea.
- Swaps the melon liqueur for triple sec and tops with cola instead of lemonade, keeping the same multi-spirit base.
Adios Motherfucker
- Blue, boozy, and a bad idea.
- Uses blue curaçao in place of melon liqueur and adds a splash of Sprite or 7-Up, giving it a bright blue color and a similarly potent kick.
Tokyo Tea Shot
- A smaller, concentrated version.
- Scale down the spirits and melon liqueur, shake, and serve as a potent shot. Skip the lemonade.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try white rum for a slightly sweeter profile.
Use another clear spirit like more tequila or rum.
Blue curaçao will give you an Adios Motherfucker. Green Chartreuse if you're feeling fancy, but it's a different beast.
Any tall, straight-sided glass will work. A pint glass is fine in a pinch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Tokyo Ice Tea?
Vodka, gin, white rum, tequila, melon liqueur, sugar syrup, and lemonade.
Why is it called Tokyo Ice Tea?
It's a spin on the Long Island Iced Tea, presumably named for the green color from the melon liqueur, though it has no actual tea or connection to Tokyo.
Is Tokyo Ice Tea strong?
Yes, it contains a substantial amount of four different spirits, making it quite potent. Drink with caution.
Does Tokyo Ice Tea taste like tea?
No, despite the name, it contains no tea. The "iced tea" part refers to its resemblance to the appearance of iced tea.
What color is a Tokyo Ice Tea?
It's typically a bright, vibrant green, thanks to the melon liqueur.
What's the difference between a Tokyo Ice Tea and a Long Island Iced Tea?
The Tokyo Ice Tea uses melon liqueur and lemonade, while the Long Island uses triple sec and cola. Both share a similar multi-spirit base.
Can I make a non-alcoholic Tokyo Ice Tea?
You could try a mix of green soda, lemon-lime soda, and a non-alcoholic melon syrup, but it won't be the same.
What's the best way to serve a Tokyo Ice Tea?
Always serve it chilled in a highball glass filled with ice, topped with lemonade, and a lemon or cherry garnish.
More Like This
More drinks in the same family.
Such a great combination of flavors!
This is my new favorite recipe!
This was a delight to make!
Great recipe, thank you!
This Tokyo Ice Tea recipe is a refreshing twist on a classic favorite. Cant wait to try it!
This Tokyo Ice Tea recipe is a refreshing twist on a classic! Cant wait to try it! 🍹
Wow, Tokyo Ice Tea is a refreshing twist! Love the mix of flavors. Cheers!
Wow, Tokyo Ice Tea is a refreshing twist on a classic! Love the unexpected flavors!
Love the Tokyo Ice Tea recipe! The mix of flavors is wild and refreshing. Cheers!
Wow, Tokyo Ice Tea is a refreshing twist! Love the unexpected flavors blend. Cheers!
Wow, Tokyo Ice Tea blew my mind—so refreshing and unexpected flavors! Cheers!
Wow, Tokyo Ice Tea is a refreshing twist on a classic! Cheers to creativity and flavor!
Wow, Tokyo Ice Tea is a refreshing surprise! Love its unique mix of flavors. Cheers!
Wow, Tokyo Ice Tea is a game-changer! Love the unexpected twist with melon liqueur. Cheers!
Wow, Tokyo Ice Tea is a refreshing twist on a classic! Cant wait to try it!
This Tokyo Ice Tea recipe is a game-changer! Love the unexpected twist with Midori. Cheers!
This Tokyo Ice Tea recipe is a game-changer! Love the twist on a classic. Cheers!
I love how the Tokyo Ice Tea packs a punch with a twist! Cheers to creativity!
Wow, the Tokyo Ice Tea is a game-changer! Love the unexpected twist with Midori. Cheers!
This Tokyo Ice Tea recipe is a refreshing twist! Cant wait to try it out!
Wow, Tokyo Ice Tea is a refreshing twist! The combo of flavors rocks! 🍹
Wow, Tokyo Ice Tea is a refreshing twist! Love the unexpected flavors. Cheers!
This Tokyo Ice Tea recipe is a game-changer! Love the unexpected twist with Japanese flavors. Cheers!
Wow, Tokyo Ice Tea is a refreshing twist on a classic cocktail! Love the unexpected flavors.
This Tokyo Ice Tea recipe is a fun twist on a classic! Cant wait to try it.
Wow, the Tokyo Ice Tea recipe is a game-changer! So refreshing and unique! Cheers!
This Tokyo Ice Tea recipe is a delightful surprise! Love the unique twist it brings. Cheers!
Wow, Tokyo Ice Tea is a refreshing twist on a classic! Cant wait to try it!
This Tokyo Ice Tea recipe is a game-changer! Love the unexpected twist with Japanese flavors.
This Tokyo Ice Tea recipe is a taste explosion! Love the unexpected twist with Midori.
Wow, Tokyo Ice Tea is a refreshing twist on a classic! Cheers to creativity!