Long Island Iced Tea
A legendary contemporary classic known for its deceptively innocent appearance and potent kick. Despite containing no actual tea, this spirit-forward cocktail combines four white liquors to create a drink with the hue and character of a refreshing iced tea.
What it tastes like
The aroma is dominated by lemon oils and subtle botanicals from the gin. On the palate, the blend of clear spirits creates a sharp, punchy profile tempered by a small amount of caramel sugar. The mouthfeel is thin and effervescent, finishing with a noticeable alcoholic heat and a brief citrus zing.
Flavour profile
Ingredients
- Vodka0.5 oz
- Tequila0.5 oz
- Light Rum0.5 oz
- Gin0.5 oz
- Coca-Cola1 dash
- Lemon Peel1 whole
Preparation
- 1
Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
- 2
Add the vodka, tequila, light rum, and gin directly into the glass.
- 3
Stir the mixture gently to combine the spirits.
- 4
Top with a dash of Coca-Cola to achieve the signature tea-like coloring.
- 5
Garnish with a fresh twist of lemon peel.
Substitutions
- Coca-ColaCold brew tea — Using actual tea removes the carbonation and adds an earthy, tannic structure to the drink.
- Lemon PeelLemon juice — Adding a half ounce of juice provides necessary acidity to cut through the high alcohol volume.
- TequilaMezcal — This substitution introduces a distinct smoky layer that makes the spirit blend more robust.
- VodkaWhite Port — Replacing the vodka with white port adds a subtle grape sweetness and lowers the overall ethanol bite.
Variations
Long Beach Iced Tea
Replace the Coca-Cola with cranberry juice for a tart, fruity profile and a bright red appearance.
Electric Iced Tea
Use Blue Curaçao instead of tequila and lemon-lime soda instead of cola for a vibrant blue color and citrus sweetness.