Long Island Iced Tea is a potent cocktail known for its deceptive appearance and smooth taste. Despite looking like a harmless glass of iced tea, this drink packs a punch with a combination of vodka, rum, tequila, gin, triple sec, simple syrup, and lemon juice, all topped off with a splash of cola. The blend of spirits creates a surprisingly balanced and refreshing drink, often garnished with a lemon wedge.
Tasting Notes
Upon the first sip, the Long Island Iced Tea greets you with a burst of citrusy freshness, thanks to the lemon juice and triple sec. The initial sweet and tangy flavors from the simple syrup and citrus mask the high alcohol content, making the drink exceptionally smooth. As you continue to sip, the complexity of the cocktail reveals itself. The vodka and gin provide a clean, crisp base, while the rum adds a subtle hint of sweetness and the tequila offers a slightly earthy undertone. The cola finish brings it all together, adding a touch of caramel sweetness and effervescence that rounds out the drink.
As the drink lingers on your palate, the blend of spirits continues to reveal layers of flavor. The gin’s botanical notes and the rum’s molasses undertones become more pronounced, adding depth to each sip. The tequila’s distinctive agave taste remains subtle yet detectable, contributing to the drink’s overall complexity.
Despite the high alcohol content, the Long Island Iced Tea remains remarkably balanced, with no single spirit overwhelming the others, creating a harmonious and enjoyable cocktail experience.
Tips & Tricks
Replace the simple syrup with a fruit-infused syrup, such as raspberry or peach, to add a fruity twist to the drink.
Use freshly squeezed lime or orange juice in place of or in addition to the lemon juice for a more complex citrus profile.
Recipe Card
Long Island Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 0.75 oz vodka
- 0.75 oz rum
- 0.75 oz tequila
- 0.75 oz gin
- 0.75 oz triple sec
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- 0.75 oz lemon juice
- Cola to top
Instructions
- Build in glass, starting with a tall glass filled halfway with ice.
- Pour in all your ingredients, except the cola,
- Stir to combine and chill.
- Top with cola, and stir again to combine.
