Ingredients
- 1 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Gin
- 1 oz White Rum
- 1 oz Gold Tequila
- 1 oz Blue Curacao Liqueur
- 5 Sours
Instructions
Combine Spirits:
- Add 1 oz vodka, 1 oz gin, 1 oz white rum, 1 oz gold tequila, and 3-5 oz sours (depending on how strong you want the drink) into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake Well:
- Shake well to mix all the spirits and sours together.
Pour and Layer:
- Pour the mixture into a glass filled with ice. Then pour 1 oz blue curaçao over the top to taste.
Garnish:
- Add a straw and garnish with a lemon wedge.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy the bold, citrusy flavors of the Blue Long Island Iced Tea.
Video
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The original Long Island Iced Tea has a few origin stories floating around, mostly pinning it to the 1970s. This blue version is less about history and more about turning heads. It's a bar trick, a visual upgrade that keeps the potent spirit base intact.
It's a direct descendant of the classic Long Island Iced Tea, which means it shares that notorious 'four white spirits' DNA. The blue curaçao swaps out the cola for a vibrant color and a different kind of citrus sweetness, making it a distinct beast, not just a recolored clone.
You order this when you're done with subtlety, or when you just want something that screams 'vacation mode.' Think pool parties, late-night dance floors, or any spot where a strong, sweet, and brightly colored drink fits the vibe. It's not a quiet sipper for a dimly lit lounge.
What it tastes like
This drink hits you with a sweet citrus punch right up front, thanks to the blue curaçao and the sours. Underneath that vibrant blue, you've got a surprisingly smooth blend of all four base spirits. Expect a strong, fruit-forward flavor that masks its true power, making it dangerously easy to drink.
Don't let the sweet taste fool you about the alcohol content here. With a full ounce each of four different 80-proof spirits plus a shot of liqueur, you're looking at a drink that clocks in around 18% ABV, assuming a 5 oz sours pour. That's about three to four times the alcohol of your average beer, so take it slow.
The technique
Building a Blue Long Island is simple enough. Load your shaker with ice, then pour in the vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and sours. Give it a good, hard shake until it's properly chilled and mixed. Strain that into a fresh glass full of ice, then float the blue curaçao over the top for that signature color. Garnish with a lemon wedge, slide in a straw, and send it out.
The real trick here is the float. Pour the blue curaçao slowly over the back of a spoon, right on top of the mixed base. This keeps the vibrant blue layer distinct, giving you that 'wow' factor before it eventually blends. Don't just dump it in.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Blue Curacao Liqueur
- Use
- Any decent quality blue curaçao will do the job. Bols, DeKuyper, or Giffard are solid choices.
- Skip
- Don't swap it for triple sec or orange liqueur unless you want a regular Long Island with no blue. The color is half the point.
- Why
- It brings the iconic color and a strong, sweet orange flavor that plays well with the parade of spirits.
Sours
- Use
- Freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice is always king. If you're going for speed, a good quality pre-made sour mix can work, but check the sugar content.
- Skip
- Avoid cheap, overly sweet sour mixes that taste like chemicals. They'll ruin the drink and give you a headache before the alcohol does.
- Why
- The sours balance the sweetness of the curaçao and the raw strength of the spirits, adding that essential tart, refreshing kick.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Tokyo Iced Tea
- Green Machine
- Swap the blue curaçao for Midori to get a bright green, melon-flavored powerhouse. It's a different kind of sweet but just as potent.
Long Island Iced Tea
- The Original Gangster
- Forget the blue and swap the curaçao for a splash of cola. You get a darker, less sweet drink that still packs all the same booze.
Adios Motherfucker
- No Apologies
- For an even wilder ride, add a shot of Sprite or 7-Up and a splash of cranberry or pineapple juice. It keeps the blue but gets even fruitier and more dangerous.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use a clear rum or even a very light gin in a pinch. It won't be exactly the same, but it'll keep the spirit sharpen up.
Another ounce of vodka or white rum will do. You'll lose a bit of the botanical edge, but the core strength remains.
Gold rum or even another ounce of vodka can step in. Keep the overall spirit volume consistent.
Silver tequila works just fine. The subtle aging difference won't be noticeable under all the other flavors.
Use triple sec and a drop of blue food coloring if you absolutely need the color, or just accept a regular Long Island without the blue.
Combine fresh lemon and lime juice, about half and half. If you're really stuck, a splash of lemon-lime soda can add some tartness and fizz.
Use a large jar with a tight-fitting lid. Just make sure it seals well before you go shaking it like you mean it.
Any tall glass will work. A pint glass or even a large tumbler will hold it all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Blue Long Island?
A Blue Long Island contains vodka, gin, white rum, gold tequila, blue curaçao liqueur, and sours, typically finished with a lemon garnish.
Is a Blue Long Island strong?
Yes, it's a very strong drink. With an ounce each of four different base spirits, it's designed to deliver a serious punch, often comparable to several beers in alcohol content.
Why is it called a Blue Long Island?
It gets its name from its vibrant blue color, which comes from the blue curaçao liqueur, and its base recipe, which is a variation of the classic Long Island Iced Tea.
What does a Blue Long Island taste like?
It tastes like a sweet, tart, and very boozy citrus punch. The orange flavor from the blue curaçao and the tang from the sours are prominent, masking the strong alcohol content.
What kind of sours should I use?
Fresh lemon and lime juice are always best. If you're using a pre-made mix, choose a good quality one that isn't overly sweet or artificial tasting.
Can I make a Blue Long Island less strong?
Absolutely. You can reduce the amount of each spirit to 0.5 oz instead of 1 oz, or increase the amount of sours and ice to dilute it more.
Is it an Iced Tea?
No, despite the name, there's no actual tea in a Blue Long Island. The 'Iced Tea' part refers to its appearance and color in the original version, which resembled iced tea with cola.
What's the difference between a Blue Long Island and a Long Island Iced Tea?
The main difference is the blue curaçao, which gives the Blue Long Island its color and a distinct sweet orange flavor. The classic Long Island Iced Tea uses cola instead, resulting in a darker, less sweet drink.
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