Where it came from
The original Long Island Ice Tea emerged from the scene in Long Island, New York, sometime in the 1970s. While some claim earlier Prohibition-era roots, the more accepted story places its creation in a modern bar setting, a true child of its era.
This drink belongs to the 'kitchen sink' family of cocktails, known for combining multiple spirits with a mixer to create a deceptively smooth, strong concoction. The Raspberry Long Island Ice Tea is a direct descendant, swapping some of the traditional sweetness for a distinct berry note.
You'll typically find this drink in high-volume bars, college towns, or at a lively house party where the goal is a good time without overthinking the nuances. It's built for speed and impact, not a quiet evening at a craft cocktail lounge.
What it tastes like
You get a strong, sweet, and tart profile upfront, dominated by the raspberry and lemon, with the cola adding a familiar finish. Beneath that, the complex blend of vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and orange liqueur provides a deep, boozy base that's surprisingly well-integrated and masked by the fruit and soda.
With roughly 1.5 ounces of pure alcohol in a typical serving, a Raspberry Long Island Ice Tea clocks in around 16% ABV. To put that in perspective, you're looking at the equivalent of about three standard 5% ABV beers in a single glass. Handle with care.
The technique
Build this directly in a highball glass. Fill the glass with ice, then pour in all five spirits, the orange liqueur, the raspberry liqueur or syrup, and the fresh lemon juice. Give it a good, brief stir to combine the ingredients. Top it off with a splash of cola, and garnish with a lemon wedge and a fresh raspberry or two.
The one technique tip that matters most is to ensure a proper balance of sweet and sour. With so many sweet components, fresh lemon juice is non-negotiable to cut through the richness and keep the drink from becoming cloyingly sweet.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Raspberry Liqueur
- Use
- A quality raspberry liqueur like Chambord, or a well-made raspberry syrup for a non-alcoholic option. Fresh muddled raspberries can also work in a pinch.
- Skip
- Artificially flavored, overly syrupy brands that taste like candy. They'll ruin the balance and make the drink taste cheap.
- Why
- This is the load-bearing flavor that defines the 'Raspberry' in the name. It needs to be bright and authentic to stand out against the potent spirit base.
Tequila Blanco
- Use
- A decent 100% agave tequila blanco. Nothing fancy, but avoid the cheapest mixto options.
- Skip
- Aged tequilas like reposados or aΓ±ejos. Their nuanced flavors will be lost and wasted in this mix. Also skip anything that isn't 100% agave.
- Why
- Tequila is one of the five core spirits. While its individual character is subdued, a bad tequila can introduce off-notes. Blanco keeps it clean and punchy without adding conflicting barrel notes.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Long Island Ice Tea
- The original heavy hitter
- Omit the raspberry liqueur and adjust the other sweet components if necessary. This is the classic, unadorned version of the notorious five-spirit cocktail.
Tokyo Tea
- Green and mean
- Swap the triple sec for Midori melon liqueur and replace the cola with lemon-lime soda. This gives the drink a vibrant green hue and a distinct melon flavor.
Adios Motherfucker
- A bolder blue cousin
- Substitute the triple sec with Blue Curaçao and the cola with lemon-lime soda. The result is a striking blue drink with a similar boozy kick and a citrusy, slightly bitter orange note.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use 0.5 oz raspberry syrup, or muddle 3-4 fresh raspberries with 0.25 oz simple syrup before adding other ingredients.
Cointreau or Grand Marnier work perfectly, though they are often pricier. Any decent orange liqueur will do the job.
Lime juice is an acceptable, though flavor-altering, substitute. It will provide the necessary acidity but shift the citrus profile.
Any large tumbler or pint glass will work. The key is enough capacity for all the liquid and plenty of ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Raspberry Long Island Ice Tea?
A Raspberry Long Island Ice Tea typically contains vodka, gin, white rum, tequila blanco, triple sec, raspberry liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and is topped with cola.
What does a Raspberry Long Island Ice Tea taste like?
It tastes like a sweet, tart raspberry and lemon soda, with a strong underlying boozy kick from the blend of five different spirits. The cola adds a familiar, refreshing finish.
Is a Raspberry Long Island Ice Tea strong?
Yes, it is notoriously strong. It contains multiple full-proof spirits and typically has an ABV around 16%, making it significantly stronger than most beers or single-spirit cocktails.
Why is it called a Long Island Ice Tea?
It's named for its alleged origin on Long Island, New York, and because its appearance and color, when made correctly, resemble iced tea, despite containing no actual tea.
What's the difference between a Long Island Ice Tea and a Raspberry Long Island Ice Tea?
The primary difference is the addition of raspberry liqueur or syrup in the Raspberry version, which provides a distinct berry flavor and often a sweeter profile compared to the classic Long Island Ice Tea.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version?
While you can make a 'mocktail' with raspberry syrup, lemon, and cola, the defining characteristic of a Long Island Ice Tea is its blend of five spirits. A true non-alcoholic version isn't really possible.
What's the best tequila for a Long Island Ice Tea?
A 100% agave tequila blanco is best. Its clean, unaged profile blends well without introducing conflicting flavors from barrel aging. No need for anything expensive, just reliable.
Do I need all five spirits?
For an authentic Long Island Ice Tea, yes, all five spirits (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec) are essential. Omitting any one will significantly change the drink's character and balance.
More Like This
More drinks in the same family.
