The Long Island Iced Tea is a classic cocktail that packs a punch with its combination of various spirits. Despite its name, it doesn't contain any tea. Instead, it gets its tea-like appearance from a splash of cola. This refreshing and potent drink is perfect for summer gatherings or a night out with friends.
Some of the ingredients in this recipe might not be commonly found in every household. For instance, triple sec is an orange-flavored liqueur that might not be a pantry staple. Additionally, having vodka, tequila, white rum, and gin all at once might require a trip to the liquor store. Make sure to check your stock before heading to the supermarket.

Ingredients For Long Island Iced Tea
Vodka: A clear distilled alcoholic beverage made from grains or potatoes, providing a neutral base for the cocktail.
Tequila: A distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant, adding a distinct flavor to the mix.
White rum: A light and clear rum that brings a subtle sweetness to the drink.
Gin: A distilled alcoholic drink that derives its predominant flavor from juniper berries, adding a botanical note.
Triple sec: An orange-flavored liqueur that adds a citrusy sweetness to the cocktail.
Simple syrup: A liquid sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water, used to balance the flavors.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed juice from lemons, providing a tart and refreshing taste.
Cola: A carbonated soft drink that gives the cocktail its tea-like appearance and adds a touch of sweetness.
Lemon wedge: A slice of lemon used as a garnish to enhance the presentation and add a hint of citrus aroma.
Technique Tip for Making This Cocktail
When shaking the cocktail shaker, make sure to shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to ensure all the spirits and ingredients are well-mixed. This will help to balance the flavors and create a smoother Long Island Iced Tea.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
vodka - Substitute with white rum: Both are clear spirits with a neutral flavor profile, making them interchangeable in mixed drinks.
tequila - Substitute with mezcal: Mezcal has a similar base but adds a smoky flavor, providing a unique twist.
white rum - Substitute with coconut rum: Adds a hint of coconut flavor, which can complement the citrus notes in the drink.
gin - Substitute with vodka: Vodka's neutral flavor can replace gin without altering the overall taste too much.
triple sec - Substitute with Cointreau: Both are orange liqueurs, but Cointreau is slightly more refined and less sweet.
simple syrup - Substitute with agave syrup: Agave syrup is a natural sweetener with a similar consistency, offering a slightly different sweetness profile.
freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, though with a slightly different taste.
cola - Substitute with diet cola: Offers the same flavor with fewer calories, making it a lighter option.
lemon wedge - Substitute with lime wedge: Lime wedges provide a similar citrus garnish and can complement the lime juice if used as a substitute.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Cocktail
How To Store / Freeze This Cocktail
To keep your Long Island Iced Tea fresh, store the mixed liquor components in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This ensures the flavors meld together beautifully while maintaining their potency.
If you plan to make a large batch ahead of time, mix all the alcohol ingredients and simple syrup together, but leave out the lemon juice and cola. These should be added just before serving to maintain their freshness and effervescence.
For freezing, pour the mixed liquor components into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before use.
When ready to serve, shake the thawed mixture with fresh lemon juice and ice, then strain into a glass. Top with a splash of cola and garnish with a lemon wedge.
Always store lemon wedges separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can last up to a week, ensuring you have a fresh garnish ready for your Long Island Iced Tea.
For an extra touch, consider freezing lemon juice in ice cube trays. This way, you can pop a cube into your drink for an added burst of flavor without diluting it.
How To Reheat Leftovers
- Pour the Long Island Iced Tea into a microwave-safe glass or mug, ensuring it's not filled to the brim to avoid spillage.
- Microwave on medium power for 10-15 seconds. This is just to take the chill off without overheating the alcohol.
- Alternatively, you can use a double boiler method. Place the Long Island Iced Tea in a heatproof bowl and set it over a pot of simmering water. Stir gently until it reaches your desired temperature.
- If you prefer a more controlled approach, use a sous-vide machine. Seal the Long Island Iced Tea in a vacuum bag and immerse it in a water bath set to 120°F (49°C) for about 5 minutes.
- For a quick fix, you can also warm the Long Island Iced Tea by placing the glass in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, ensuring the water level is below the rim of the glass.
Essential Tools for Crafting This Cocktail
Cocktail shaker: A container used to mix the ingredients thoroughly with ice.
Ice: Essential for chilling the drink and diluting it slightly for balance.
Jigger: A measuring tool to ensure precise amounts of each spirit and other ingredients.
Highball glass: The glass in which the final drink is served, typically tall and narrow.
Strainer: Used to strain the mixed drink from the cocktail shaker into the highball glass.
Lemon squeezer: A tool to extract fresh lemon juice efficiently.
Bar spoon: Useful for stirring the drink after adding the splash of cola.
Knife: Needed to cut the lemon wedge for garnish.
Cutting board: A surface to safely cut the lemon for juice and garnish.
How to Save Time on Making This Drink
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out all liquors and mixers in advance to streamline the process.
Use a jigger: A jigger ensures precise measurements, saving time and reducing errors.
Batch preparation: Prepare multiple servings at once by scaling up the recipe and mixing in a large pitcher.
Chill ingredients: Keep your liquors and mixers chilled to reduce the need for extra ice and shaking time.
Simplify garnishes: Pre-slice lemon wedges and store them in the fridge for quick access.

Long Island Iced Tea
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ½ oz Vodka
- ½ oz Tequila
- ½ oz White rum
- ½ oz Gin
- ½ oz Triple sec
- 1 oz Simple syrup
- 1 oz Lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 splash Cola
- 1 wedge Lemon for garnish
Instructions
- 1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- 2. Add vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, triple sec, simple syrup, and lemon juice.
- 3. Shake well and strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
- 4. Top with a splash of cola.
- 5. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Nutritional Value
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