PREP TIME 5 min
The original Long Island Iced Tea recipe is delicious, and has been around for ages! It’s also quite simple to make—even if you’re a cocktail-making novice—and takes only three minutes to come together. You can also drink one in that time, but we suggest you (and your friends) take it slowly. These tequila summer cocktails are potent, so stick to the measurements. For a lighter version, you can also take the amount of liquor down a notch to 15ml of each and add more cola.
Build the ingredients in a Collins glass filled with ice
Top it off with cola and stir
Garnish with a lemon wedge and serve with a straw
If you’re hoping to taste iced tea in this drink, you’re going to be disappointed! Long Island Iced Tea ingredients list a staggering amount of liquor. There is no iced tea in sight! Instead, it contains:
While the idea of all these spirits served in one glass isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, you might be surprised to learn how easy and refreshing it is to drink considering how much liquor goes into one. It’s a scientific wonder. A dangerously delicious one.
There are a few stories out there about where the first Long Island Iced Tea recipe originated. We’ll tell you about two.
One legend dates back to the 1920s and an era of prohibition where alcohol was banned and drinks needed to be strong. A man named Charles ‘Old Man Bishop’ a bootlegger from Kingsport, Tennessee made a drink with tequila, vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, and maple syrup. His creation was called Old Man Bishop. The story continues that his son, Ransom Bishop, refined this drink to the version we know today.
Another famous story is that the Long Island Iced Tea recipe was invented by bartender Bob ‘Rosebud’ Butt back in 1972 during a cocktail competition at Oak Beach Inn, a nightclub in Long Island, New York. The cocktail had to include Triple Sec as a hero ingredient to qualify for the competition, and Butt claims that his creation was an instant hit. By the 1980s, it was famous worldwide. There’s even a video of Bob Butt (released in 2013) demonstrating how to make his famous cocktail. It’s totally Google-worthy, so go check it out.
We love both stories, but it leaves us with one burning question: Will the real Long Island Iced Tea please stand up?
Cocktail trends come and go, but the Long Island Iced Tea recipe has endured the test of time. In fact, it’s been a big part of global drink culture for decades. It’s a sneaky drink that is strong and tasty.
Regardless of its high sugar and alcohol content, there is no doubt that the LIIT is totally lit, and chances are good that you will find it on the cocktail menu of just about every bar you go to—no matter where in the world you find yourself. You’ve got to love it for what it is. A fun and easy-to-drink cocktail that packs a real punch.
The Long Island Iced Tea is best enjoyed as a party drink, which means you’ve got to make a batch to share with your friends. To pull this off, you will need a large pitcher, half a cup of each liquor, ¾ cup of both lemon juice and sugar syrup, and one and a half cups of cola, with lemon slices to garnish.
Mix it together, add ice to tall glasses, and pour in the drink. Simple enough to make ahead of time for any party, so the only thing you’ll need to worry about when your guests arrive is who gets to control the music playlist!
This hefty drink is a wonderful addition to no-holds-barred celebrations and outdoor shindigs. We also love serving it at:
