Long Island Iced Tea

Somehow reminiscent of restaurant chains, dive bars, and frat basements alike, the Long Island Iced Tea brings to mind varying memories (and feelings), depending on who you’re talking to. For some, it’s a headache in a glass that brings to mind college days gone by; for others, it’s exactly the sweet yet ultra-boozy drink they’re searching for on a night out. No matter your feelings on the classic cocktail, one thing is for sure: Its ability to hide the combination of 5 alcohols behind a refreshing sweet tea taste is nothing short of incredible. Read on to discover just how this ultra-boozy, refreshing, party-starting summer cocktail gets its signature flavor (and reputation):

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How To Make A Long Island Iced Tea

INGREDIENTS

• Gin, White Rum, Blanco Tequila, Vodka & Triple Sec: Reminiscent of a lemony sweet tea, it’s truly a mystery how this cocktail manages to hold 5 (yes, 5!) alcohols. Gin, white rum, blanco tequila, vodka, and triple sec all combine in this drink—with 2 additional staple ingredients—to create a surprisingly sweet and refreshing cocktail. Looking for liquor recommendations? Check out our tried-and-tested favorite gins, tequilas, rums, and vodkas.
• Sour Mix: With so much alcohol in this cocktail, we need some acid to cut through. This is where sour mix comes into play. You could use a mix of simple syrup and fresh lemon juice if you’re looking to keep things simple, but a homemade sour mix with fresh squeezed lemon, lime, and grapefruit juice adds a bit more complexity that takes this drink up several notches. A store-bought sour mix will work in a pinch, but I highly recommend making the homemade version for the extra-fresh flavors.
• Coke: If at all possible, I recommend reaching for a glass bottle here because of its full sugar content. The difference here is that glass bottles of Mexican Coke still use cane sugar, as opposed to American-made Coke which uses corn syrup. This gives a sweeter flavor with more depth. While this isn’t a deal breaker, it certainly will elevate the cocktail.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Making simple syrup is, well, simple. Start by bringing sugar and 1/2 c. water to a boil in a saucepan, then whisk the mixture until all the sugar has dissolved. Simply remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.

To complete the sour mix, transfer the syrup to an airtight container and add in lemon, lime, and grapefruit juice, stirring to combine. Seal the container shut and refrigerate the sour mix until ready for use.

Combine the pre-made sour mix with tequila, gin, triple sec, vodka, and rum in a cocktail shaker, and fill the shaker with ice. Cover the shaker and vigorously shake so that the contents inside hit both the top and bottom of the shaker with each shake and the outside of the shaker turns very frosty. This should take about 20 seconds.

Then fill 2 Collins glasses with ice and strain the shaken mixture over the ice, topping off with Coke to fill. Garnish the cocktail with lemon wedges and serve.

Recipe Tips

• Make the sour mix ahead of time: Our sour mix can be made 2 weeks ahead, covered and stored in the refrigerator. Make it in advance, then use when ready in this cocktail and many others.
• Batch it: This recipe makes enough sour mix for at least eight drinks, so feel free to double (or triple… or quadruple…) it to make it a big-batch summer cocktail. Simply mix all of your spirits and sour mix together, then add Coca-Cola and ice when ready to serve.

Long Island Iced Tea Variations

The Long Island Iced Tea is one of the most riffed upon cocktails out there, with every bar and bartender adding their own flair. They’ve added in an equal amount of bourbon for a Texas Tea, swapped the Coke for a lemon-lime soda and add a little raspberry liquor like Chambord for a cocktail sometimes referred to as a Grateful Dead, or have swapped the triple sec for Midori for a Tokyo Tea…. why not do the same at home?