Equal half-ounce measures of vodka, tequila, light rum, and gin form the spirit base of the Long Island Iced Tea, finished with a dash of cola and a lemon twist. Despite the name, the drink contains no tea whatsoever; the cola supplies both the brown, tea-like color and a faint sweetness that masks a formidable alcohol content approaching 27 percent ABV. The components are combined and stirred gently in a highball glass before garnishing. Recognized by the IBA as a Contemporary Classic, it ranks among the most widely known cocktails in the world, its deceptive appearance and four-spirit construction having made it a fixture of bar menus everywhere.
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Long Island Iced Tea
Long Island, LIIT
Nguyên liệu
Hướng dẫn
Mix all contents in a highball glass and sitr gently. Add dash of Coca-Cola for the coloring and garnish with lemon or lime twist.
The Long Island Iced Tea is an IBA Contemporary Classic combining equal parts vodka, tequila, light rum, and gin with a dash of cola and lemon twist, disguising its formidable alcohol content beneath a deceptively tea-like appearance. Despite its name, it contains no actual tea — the cola gives it the distinctive brown color and slight sweetness. It is one of the most recognized cocktails in the world.
History & Origins
The Long Island Iced Tea was created in the 1970s, with competing claims from Robert Butt of Oak Beach Inn in Hampton Bays, New York, and a variation tracing to Kingsport, Tennessee. The IBA recognized it as a Contemporary Classic, cementing its status as a legitimate cocktail. Its popularity exploded in American bar culture throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Subtle citrus and faint vanilla sweetness from the cola, with understated spirit notes. Palate: Deceptively smooth with layers of vodka, rum, gin, and tequila integrated by sour mix and cola sweetness. Finish: Warming and spirituous with a lingering lemon and cola tail.
Pro Tip
Use only a dash of cola for color — too much overwhelms the balanced spirit profile that defines this IBA classic.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What spirits are used in a Long Island Iced Tea?
A Long Island Iced Tea uses equal parts vodka, white rum, silver tequila, dry gin, and triple sec (orange liqueur), combined with fresh lemon juice and a float of cola for color and a hint of sweetness. Despite containing five spirits at 40% ABV each, the well-balanced proportions and citrus juice make the drink taste deceptively like sweetened iced tea. It is one of the highest-ABV cocktails served in bars worldwide.
How is a Long Island Iced Tea made and served?
All spirits, triple sec, and lemon juice are combined in a cocktail shaker with ice, then shaken and strained into a tall glass filled with fresh ice. A small splash of cola is floated on top rather than mixed in, giving the drink its characteristic amber color and slight caramel sweetness without overwhelming the citrus base. A lemon wedge is the standard garnish.
How much alcohol does a Long Island Iced Tea contain?
A standard Long Island Iced Tea contains approximately 2.5 to 3 oz of total spirit volume, giving it an ABV of roughly 22–28% after dilution. This makes a single serving equivalent to approximately three standard alcoholic drinks. Its reputation as one of the most intoxicating cocktails stems from this high alcohol load disguised by its refreshing, tea-like flavor.
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