Chill out with our easy Long Island Iced Tea recipe! It's got a mix of spirits, lemon juice, and just a bit of cola for a simply enjoyable drink.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
2 minutes
Servings:
1
Calories:
216
Ingredients
- ½ oz Vodka
- ½ oz Tequila
- ½ oz Rum
- ½ oz Gin
- ½ oz Triple Sec
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 1 splash Cola
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slice or twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Highball Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Shaker
- Strainer
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
- Add Spirits: Pour ½ oz Vodka, ½ oz Gin, ½ oz Rum, ½ oz Tequila, and ½ oz Triple Sec into the cocktail shaker.
- Add Lemon Juice: Squeeze in½ oz fresh lemon juice.
- Add Simple Syrup: Pour ½ oz simple syrup.
- Shake: Ice up the shaker and shake well for about 15 seconds.
- Replace ice: replace the ice in your highball glass with new ice cubes.
- Strain: Strain your mixture in the highball glass over the fresh ice.
- Top with Cola: Add a splash of cola to fill the glass.
- Garnish: Place a lemon slice or twist into the glass for garnish.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Vodka: If you run out of vodka, you could use white rum as a substitute. Trust me, it doesn't change the drink's character too much.
- Tequila: No tequila? Try using mezcal for a smokier flavor. It's a fun twist.
- Rum: I've used spiced rum when I was out of white rum. Adds a nice little kick!
- Triple Sec: Cointreau works perfectly if you don't have triple sec.
Making a Pitcher:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8 (excluding the cola, which you'll add per glass).
- Mix: Combine all the spirits, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a large pitcher and stir well.
- Serve: Pour into individual ice-filled highball glasses, top each with a splash of cola, garnish, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Alcohol Substitutes: There are non-alcoholic versions of vodka, Tequila, rum, and Gin that you can use. For triple sec, a good-quality orange juice concentrate can work.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes and follow the original steps for a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Simple Syrup: Make sure your simple syrup is vegan-friendly. Some brands of white sugar are processed with bone char. Opt for organic, bone char-free sugar to make your syrup.
- Cola: Most commercial colas are vegan, but always double-check the ingredients.
What is A Long Island Iced Tea?
A Long Island Iced Tea is a multi-liquor cocktail that combines vodka, Tequila, rum, Gin, triple sec, lemon juice, and a splash of cola. Despite its name, this drink contains no actual tea. People often associate the cocktail with a fun, lively atmosphere, thanks to its mix of strong spirits. You don’t need to be an expert bartender to appreciate the complex flavors that make up this classic drink. The recipe might sound complicated at first, but it’s surprisingly straightforward, the drink is also recognised as an official IBA cocktail by the prestigious International Bartender Association.
What is a Long Island Iced Tea made of – The ingredients.
A classic Long Island Iced Tea includes these components:
- Vodka: Adds a clean, neutral base to the cocktail.
- Tequila: Introduces a slightly earthy, agave note.
- Rum: Lends a sugarcane sweetness to the mix.
- Gin: Infuses botanical flavors, adding complexity.
- Triple Sec: Provides a citrusy orange zing.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens the drink with tartness.
- Simple Syrup: Sweetens the cocktail, balancing the acidity.
- Cola: Adds effervescence and a caramel hue.
- Ice Cubes: Chills the components for a refreshing experience.
- Lemon Slice or Twist: A garnish adds a visual and aromatic element.
