Long Island Iced Tea

LIIT · Long Island

Tequila, vodka, rum, gin and orange liqueur with lemon and cola in a tall glass; citrusy, sweet and strong, despite its tea-like look.

16% ABV
Built in the glass
2 min
Highball glass
strong
citrusy
sweet
refreshing
IBA official cocktail · Contemporary Classics

about 1.7 standard drinks (US, 14 g of alcohol). Estimated after dilution with ice.

Ingredients

½ ozBlanco tequila (100% agave)
½ ozVodka
½ ozWhite rum
½ ozLondon dry gin
½ ozOrange liqueur (triple sec)Use a triple sec style orange liqueur.
¾ ozFresh lemon juice
1 ozSimple syrupThe current IBA recipe calls for 30 ml of simple syrup.
Top up withColaPour it last, just enough to fill the glass.

Ice: Ice cubes · Garnish: lemon

Method

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
Add 15 ml each of blanco tequila, vodka, white rum, gin and orange liqueur.
Pour in 25 ml of fresh lemon juice and 30 ml of simple syrup.
Top with about 40 ml of cola and stir gently to combine.
Garnish with a lemon slice and serve with a straw.

Tips

Despite the name, there is no tea in it: the amber color comes from the cola, which gives the look of iced tea.
It holds 75 ml of spirits and liqueur in total, which is strong for a long drink. Sip it slowly.
Add the cola last and stir only once or twice so the drink keeps its fizz.

Swaps

Missing something? These swaps change the taste a little but keep the drink balanced.

Simple syrup → Cane sugar syrup
Orange liqueur (triple sec) → Dry orange curaçao

History

The Long Island Iced Tea is often credited to Robert "Rosebud" Butt, who said he created it in the 1970s at a bar on Long Island, New York. Another story places a similar drink in Kingsport, Tennessee, during Prohibition. Neither origin is firmly settled.