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Long Island Iced Tea: easy long island iced tea cocktail — Drinks recipe | AfoodrinkDrinks

Long Island Iced Tea

This classic party cocktail looks like iced tea, but it is made with five spirits, citrus, simple syrup, and a splash of cola. It is easy to mix, but it is a strong drink, so pour carefully and serve over plenty of ice.

Total

5 min

Servings

1 drink

Level

Easy

Long Island iced tea is a famous American cocktail with a bit of a trick to it: there is no tea in the glass. The color comes from cola, while lemon juice and simple syrup give it a bright, sweet-tart balance.

The drink is usually made with equal parts vodka, gin, white rum, tequila, and triple sec. That means it is stronger than many tall cocktails, even though it tastes smooth and refreshing.

Use a tall glass, lots of ice, and fresh lemon if you can. A small splash of cola at the end keeps the drink lively without making it too sweet.

01What you'll need

Ingredients

10 items · 1 drink

  • 1/2 ounce vodka
  • 1/2 ounce gin
  • 1/2 ounce white rum
  • 1/2 ounce blanco tequila
  • 1/2 ounce triple sec or other orange liqueur
  • 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
  • Ice, for shaking and serving
  • 1 to 2 ounces cola, to top
  • Lemon wedge or lemon wheel, for garnish

02How to make it

Step-by-step

  1. 1. Chill the glass

    Fill a tall glass, such as a highball or Collins glass, with ice. Let it sit while you mix the drink so the glass gets cold.

  2. 2. Measure the spirits

    Add the vodka, gin, white rum, tequila, and triple sec to a cocktail shaker. Use a jigger or small measuring cup so the drink stays balanced.

  3. 3. Add citrus and syrup

    Pour in the fresh lemon juice and simple syrup. Simple syrup is just sugar dissolved in water; it blends into cold drinks more easily than granulated sugar.

  4. 4. Shake with ice

    Add a handful of ice to the shaker. Close it tightly and shake for about 10 seconds, until the outside feels cold.

  5. 5. Strain over fresh ice

    Empty any melted ice from the serving glass if needed, then refill it with fresh ice. Strain the shaken cocktail into the glass.

  6. 6. Top with cola

    Pour 1 to 2 ounces of cola over the drink. Add just enough to give the cocktail its iced tea color and a light fizz.

  7. 7. Garnish and serve

    Garnish with a lemon wedge or wheel. Serve right away while the drink is cold and bubbly.

03From our kitchen

Cook's tips

  • Make-ahead: You can combine the five spirits, lemon juice, and simple syrup up to 1 day ahead. Keep the mixture covered in the fridge. Shake with ice and add cola only when serving.
  • Batching for a small group: For 4 drinks, use 2 ounces each vodka, gin, white rum, tequila, and triple sec, plus 3 ounces lemon juice and 2 ounces simple syrup. Shake or stir individual portions with ice, then top each glass with cola.
  • Storage: A mixed Long Island iced tea does not store well once it has ice and cola added. The ice melts and the cola goes flat. Store only the uncarbonated mix if you need to prep ahead.
  • Swaps: Use lime juice instead of lemon for a sharper flavor. Cointreau, curaçao, or another orange liqueur can stand in for triple sec.
  • Make it less strong: Reduce each spirit to 1/4 ounce, or build the drink in a larger glass with extra ice and a little more cola. It will still taste like the classic, but with less alcohol per serving.
  • Troubleshooting: If the drink tastes harsh, add a small squeeze of lemon and a little more simple syrup. If it tastes too sweet, add a bit more lemon juice or use less cola next time.

Cook's note

This is a high-alcohol cocktail. The recipe makes one strong drink, so sip slowly and serve only to adults of legal drinking age.

04Frequently asked

Questions & answers

Does Long Island iced tea contain tea?

No. The name comes from the drink’s tea-like color, which happens when the mixed spirits, lemon, syrup, and cola come together.

What kind of glass should I use?

Use a tall highball or Collins glass. The extra height gives room for ice, the cocktail, and the cola topper.

Can I stir it instead of shaking it?

Yes, but shaking gives the lemon juice and syrup a better mix and chills the drink quickly. If you stir, do it well with plenty of ice before adding the cola.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

Fresh lemon juice tastes brighter and is worth using here. Bottled lemon juice can taste flat or bitter, but it will work in a pinch.

Why does my Long Island iced tea taste too strong?

This cocktail contains several spirits, so measuring matters. Use equal small pours, plenty of ice, fresh lemon juice, and enough cola to soften the drink without covering up the flavor.

05Keep cooking

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