Ingredients
- .5 oz Vodka
- .5 oz Gin
- .5 oz Rum
- .5 oz Tequila
- .5 oz Triple Sec
- 3/4 Lemon Juice
- .5 oz Sugar Syrup
- 3-4 oz Cola
Instructions
Shake and Mix:
- In a shaker, combine 0.5 oz vodka, 0.5 oz gin, 0.5 oz rum, 0.5 oz tequila, 0.5 oz triple sec, 3/4 oz lemon juice, and 0.5 oz sugar syrup with ice. Shake vigorously until well mixed and chilled.
Strain Over Ice:
- Strain the mixture into a collins glass that’s filled 3/4 of the way with ice.
Top with Cola:
- Top the drink with 3-4 oz of cola, adding just enough to fill the glass.
Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with a lemon wedge on the rim, and serve immediately.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Long Island Iced Tea emerged from the Prohibition era, or so the legend goes, designed to look like a harmless tea. More reliably, it surfaced in the 1970s, possibly from Long Island, New York, or even Kingsport, Tennessee. It quickly became a bar staple, a testament to its potent appeal.
It’s a highball, a boozy one, often categorized with other 'kitchen sink' cocktails due to its multiple spirits. Relatives might include other potent mixes like a Tokyo Tea, which swaps out the cola for Midori. What separates this drink is the sheer volume of different alcohols, balanced by a simple mixer.
You order a Long Island Iced Tea when you mean business, usually at a lively bar, a casual restaurant, or a party where discretion isn't the priority. It's a crowd-pleaser for those looking for a strong drink that goes down easy, perfect for a night out with friends.
What it tastes like
A classic Long Island Iced Tea tastes surprisingly like iced tea, despite containing no actual tea. You get a complex blend of multiple white spirits vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and triple sec balanced by a touch of sour from lemon and a sweet cola finish. It’s smooth, refreshing, and dangerously drinkable, masking its high alcohol content effectively.
This drink packs a serious punch. With roughly 2 ounces of 80-proof spirits, plus triple sec, a standard LIIT can easily hit 20-25% ABV or more, depending on the pour. That's significantly stronger than a typical beer, which usually hovers around 5% ABV. Treat it like a double.
The technique
Building a Long Island Iced Tea is straightforward: combine all spirits, triple sec, and lemon juice in a highball glass filled with ice. Stir gently to combine, then top with cola. Garnish with a lemon wedge or wheel. It's a build-in-glass cocktail, requiring minimal fuss and maximum impact.
The key is balance. Don't overdo the cola, or you'll drown out the spirits. Conversely, too little cola makes it harsh. Aim for a consistent ratio to keep it tasting like the familiar iced tea, not just a glass of booze.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Vodka
- Use
- Any decent 80-proof vodka works. Tito's, Absolut, or Smirnoff are reliable choices for a clean base.
- Skip
- Flavored vodkas or anything with a strong character will clash with the other spirits.
- Why
- Vodka provides a neutral, potent base, allowing the other spirits and mixers to shine without interference.
Tequila
- Use
- A Blanco tequila is standard here. Espolon Blanco or El Jimador Blanco are solid, affordable options.
- Skip
- Aged Añejo or Reposado tequilas have too much character and will get lost or fight the other flavors.
- Why
- The bright, slightly earthy notes of Blanco tequila add a distinct layer to the complex spirit blend.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Tokyo Tea
- Green Melon Twist
- Swap the cola for Midori and lemon-lime soda for a vibrant green, melon-flavored version. It's still potent, just with a different sweet and fruity profile.
Long Beach Iced Tea
- Cranberry Kick
- Instead of cola, top with cranberry juice. This gives it a tarter, fruitier edge and a reddish hue, often preferred by those who find cola too sweet.
Electric Iced Tea
- Blue Power
- Introduce blue curaçao for a striking blue color and a subtle orange flavor. This variation often replaces the triple sec and sometimes the cola with lemon-lime soda.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use Cointreau or Grand Marnier for a step up, or simple syrup with a splash of orange juice for a basic orange flavor.
Increase the vodka or rum slightly, or add a dash of an orange liqueur for complexity.
Boost the vodka or rum, or consider a splash of mezcal if you want a smoky edge, but be sparing.
A large tumbler or even a pint glass will do. Just ensure it holds enough volume for the drink and plenty of ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Dale`s Long Island Iced Tea?
Without a specific recipe for Dale`s Long Island Iced Tea, it's safe to assume it's a variation of the classic. A standard Long Island Iced Tea contains vodka, gin, white rum, Blanco tequila, triple sec, fresh lemon juice, and cola.
Why is it called Long Island Iced Tea?
It gets its name because it looks and, to some extent, tastes like actual iced tea, despite containing no tea at all. The 'Long Island' part likely refers to its supposed origin in Long Island, New York.
Is Long Island Iced Tea a strong drink?
Absolutely. It's known for its high alcohol content, combining five different spirits. Approach it with caution, as it can catch up to you quickly.
Can I make a Long Island Iced Tea less strong?
You can reduce the amount of each spirit slightly, or increase the lemon juice and cola proportions to dilute the alcohol content while maintaining flavor.
What's the best cola to use?
Any standard cola works well. Coca-Cola or Pepsi are common choices. Avoid diet sodas unless specifically requested, as they can alter the mouthfeel and flavor.
Should I shake or stir a Long Island Iced Tea?
The spirits and mixers should be briefly stirred in the glass with ice to combine. Adding the cola last and stirring gently preserves the fizz.
What does a Long Island Iced Tea taste like?
It tastes like a sweet and sour iced tea, with a strong alcoholic kick. You get citrus, a hint of caramel from the cola, and the blended notes of multiple white spirits.
Is a Long Island Iced Tea a good choice for beginners?
It's a strong drink, so while it goes down easy, it might be too potent for those not used to spirits. Pace yourself if you're new to cocktails.
More Like This
More drinks in the same family.
