Long Island iced tea

Make this classic Long Island iced tea the star of summer parties

Made from five spirits, a dash of coke and a squeeze of lemon, the Long Island iced tea cocktail sounds like a concoction someone threw together in the dying hours of a house party. While it definitely comes out at those, it’s also an elegant drink ideal for sipping and enjoying the sweet and tart flavour. 

Like many iconic food and drinks, the history of Long Island iced tea is disputed. Theory number one is that it was devised during prohibition, where the vodka was probably moonshine and maple syrup was used instead of cola. Move ahead to the 1970s where it’s argued that it was a bartender in New York who created the Long Island iced tea. By the ’70s, the drink was passed over counters at discos and in cocktail bars everywhere. It was the drink of the decade, and now it’s time to bring it back. No longer just for night clubs, our recipe for homemade Long Island iced tea is great for summer entertaining. Whether you serve it up in glasses at a barbecue or in a large pitcher for a summer soiree, let this classic drink be the icebreaker for your next get-together.

What's in a Long Island iced tea?

With four white spirits plus an orange liqueur, our Long Island iced tea recipe is tamed by a simple sugar syrup, lemon juice and cola. Where some American recipes suggest using a sour mix, the combo of syrup and lemon juice creates the same citrusy zing. You don’t need to go top shelf when buying Long Island iced tea ingredients, but since the drink is mainly alcohol, it’s best to go for quality spirits you enjoy. Remember, the initial financial outlay when buying the ingredients for Long Island iced tea pays itself off with a variety of other drinks. You can use the spirits in this recipe to make a vodka martini, margarita, mojito, French 75 and many others.

How to make a Long Island iced tea

Two batches of ice are used in our basic Long Island iced tea. The first lot is added to the shaker where it works to chill the liquid down. Shaking the mixture means the lemon juice and ice become incorporated into the spirits. About ten shakes will be enough. The mixture will now be cold and frosty, ready to be poured into glasses half-filled with ice. Give it a stir before topping with cola (don’t add the soft drink into the shaker unless you want to wear it). The second batch of ice works to slowly dilute the drink as you sip, making it last longer. 

How to serve and garnish your Long Island iced teas

This famous cocktail is traditionally poured into highball glasses. You need a tall glass to contain the ice. Serving with a straw is completely up to you. If serving for a crowd you can make a double batch for a Long Island iced tea pitcher. We’ve added slices of lemon but you could garnish with lime instead.