The Long Island Iced Tea is the type of drink perfect for college students or young adults to order at a bar – it’s strong (so you don’t need to feel the alcohol’s effects), but the flavor of the alcohol is almost indiscernible.

This classic cocktail contains five types of alcohol—gin, tequila, rum, vodka, and triple sec – alongside a splash of lemon juice, simple syrup, and Cola. Fresh lemon and lime juice bring sourness and bitterness, and a splash of cola and a bit of maple syrup round things out.

Let’s clarify one thing: there is no iced tea anywhere in Long Island iced tea. It is simply the color of iced tea.

Long Island Iced Tea served in a chilled highball glass, this easy beverage can be clubbed with cheese nachos, fries, or any other side dish of your choice. If you want to make bar-like Long Island Iced Tea at home, then you are at the right place. You just need a handful of essential ingredients to make this quick and easy beverage.

Long Island Iced Tea is everyone’s favorite and is a classic beverage that you can enjoy especially in summer.

INGREDIENTS:

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this top-rated old-fashioned recipe:

  • 15ml vodka (preferably orange flavored)
  • 15ml rum
  • 15ml gin
  • 15ml Tequila/Desmondji 51% (agave spirit)
  • 15ml Cointreau/Desmondji (orange liqueur)
  • 10ml lime juice
  • Top with coke
  • Garnish: orange slice with a sprig of mint and orange

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Gather the ingredients: Vodka, gin, tequila, rum, and triple sec into a large (1.5l) jug
  2. Shake, Shake, Shake: Shake the vodka, gin, tequila, rum, lemon juice, and sugar syrup vigorously over ice until well-frosted.
  3. Mix in cola: Strain into an ice-filled highball glass and top up with cola.
  4. Garnish and serve: Garnish with lemon wedges and serve chilled. Feel free to top it off with an additional splash of cola, if desired.

NOTES

When there are equal parts of five liquors in a cocktail, one liquor should not overpower any of the others. To do that, you’ll need quality spirits, but not necessarily high-end spirits.

Variations on Long Island Iced Tea

Texas Tea: Add 1/2 cup of your favorite bourbon. It’s best sipped outside while doing absolutely nothing.

Long Beach Tea: Substitute cranberry juice for the cola for a fruitier and more intensely tart version of this cocktail. It’s a novel option for backyard cookouts.