Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail Recipe

The Long Island Iced Tea cocktail is one of the most popular cocktails in the world because of its balanced taste, despite an extensive ingredient list. Even though it is called iced tea, there is no actual tea in this drink. The amber colour of the cocktail simply comes from the addition of the cola, which mimics the appearance of iced tea and gives it a hint of caramel sweetness. When combined with lemon juice and simple syrup, the drink gets a hint of citrus as well. 

The drink comes from the early 1970s and has become famous over the years. Even though there is a multitude of different spirits that go into making the Long Island Iced Tea cocktail, all of the ingredients are typically added in equal proportions, so no one type of liquor ends up masking the others. The result is an incredibly unique drink that is served on ice with cola. Part of the reason the Long Island Iced Tea cocktail is a favourite of professional bartenders and home mixologists alike is the reliance on standard bartending techniques.

Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail: History And Variations

According to the most widely accepted origin story, bartending legend Robert "Rosebud" Butt invented the Long Island Iced Tea cocktail in 1972 while working at Oak Beach Inn in New York. He developed the drink during a cocktail competition. Although there are alternate reports on the drink’s invention in bartending, Butt’s version is widely accepted in the cocktail industry.

Long Island Iced Tea cocktail has been the inspiration for many cocktails over time that keep its combination of different spirits and citrus intact. For instance, the Texas Tea cocktail adds bourbon to the mix. Another version is the Long Beach Iced Tea cocktail, which uses cranberry juice instead of cola. The Tokyo Tea cocktail is made with Japanese melon liqueur, instead of triple sec, together with lemon-lime soda. Finally, the Miami Iced Tea cocktail adds peach schnapps and cranberry juice to the ingredient list.

How To Make A Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail - Key Tips

- Use fresh lemon juice (not bottled juice) for a brighter citrus flavour and better balance.

- Carefully measure each spirit to keep the cocktail’s flavour profile as intended.

- Shake the ingredients with ice before adding the cola for proper chilling and dilution.

- Strain and add the cola to keep the carbonation.

- Generously add fresh ice to the serving glass to keep the drink cold and slow dilution.

- Garnish with a fresh lemon wedge or wheel for an added citrus aroma.