Long Island Iced Tea

The cocktail favorite, Long Island Iced Tea, does not actually contain any iced tea. But when you mix together several alcohols and add in some cola, it looks a lot like iced tea. Serve this cocktail in a pitcher for a party, or mix them up in single tall glasses.

Just like a classic Margarita, this cocktail is one of the most popular around.

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Why this drink is so popular

This drink is famous, no doubt about it.

You do have to be careful when enjoying a Long Island Iced Tea because the alcohol content is quite a bit higher than most highball drinks. So be sure to enjoy them responsibly. But that is why this drink is so popular, because you can feel it pretty quickly.

This popular drink is made by combining vodka, tequila, rum, gin, and triple sec, then mixing those with sweet and sour mix. Everything is topped off with cola and served in a tall glass over ice. It looks like iced tea, but it’s not.

Expert Tips & FAQs

• It’s important to note that a standard highball glass is tall and skinny and holds about 9 ounces. Many of the tall glasses you find are 12-16 ounces, and some almost 20!
• To make a 2-quart pitcher, adjust the ingredients to: 6-ounces for each alcohol, 12-ounces of sweet and sour mix, and 16-ounces of cola (more to top off if needed).

Ingredients you will need

Measurements and full ingredients list are listed in the printable recipe at the end of this post. This recipe makes an 8 ounce glass.

• The spirits in this drink include equal parts of vodka, tequila, light rum, gin, and triple sec.
• You will also need sweet and sour mix or equal amounts of lemon juice and simple syrup.
• Cola is used to top it all off, and a lemon is added for garnish, part of the “iced tea appearance”.

How to Make a Long Island Iced Tea

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. Please scroll down to simply print out the recipe!

1. Start by filling a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin, and sweet and sour mix. We use a jigger to measure everything.

1. Attach the lid and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
2. Strain shaker over ice into a highball glass or Tom Collins glass.

1. Top the cocktail with your favorite cola and garnish the glass with a lemon wheel. Don’t forget the fun colorful straws!

Remember, this cocktail packs a wallop, so consume responsibly and make sure you have a designated driver if not drinking at home. There’s a lot of alcohol in a Long Island Iced Tea, and if you’re drinking it through a straw it will hit you a lot faster than you might think!

More Mixed Drinks You Might Like

I have lots and lots of cocktails on this blog. So if you’re thirsty, check out all my cocktail recipes here. I’ve chosen a few of my favorites below.

• Tequila Sunrise
• Moscow Mule
• Sex on the Beach
• Lemon Drop
• Cosmopolitan
• Iced Tea Cocktail
• Coconut Mojitos

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