The Long Island Iced Tea is a classic cocktail that packs a punch with its blend of multiple spirits. Despite its name, this drink doesn't contain any tea. Instead, it combines vodka, tequila, rum, gin, and triple sec with a splash of cola to create a refreshing and potent beverage.
Some of the ingredients in this recipe might not be staples in every household. Triple sec is an orange-flavored liqueur that may not be in your regular liquor cabinet. Additionally, simple syrup can be made at home by dissolving sugar in water, but it can also be purchased pre-made. Make sure to check your local supermarket or liquor store for these items.

Ingredients For Long Island Iced Tea Recipe
Vodka: A clear distilled alcoholic beverage made from grains or potatoes.
Tequila: A distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding Tequila, Mexico.
White rum: A light-bodied rum with a sweet flavor, typically used in cocktails.
Gin: A distilled alcoholic drink that derives its predominant flavor from juniper berries.
Triple sec: A type of strong, sweet, and colorless orange-flavored liqueur.
Simple syrup: A liquid sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water, often used in cocktails.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed juice from lemons, adding a tart and tangy flavor.
Cola: A carbonated soft drink with a distinct flavor, used to top off the cocktail.
Lemon: A slice of lemon used as a garnish to add a citrusy aroma and visual appeal.
Technique Tip for This Cocktail
When preparing a Long Island Iced Tea, ensure that you use freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of bottled juice. Fresh juice enhances the drink's flavor profile and balances the strong alcohol content. Additionally, when shaking the mixture, do so vigorously for at least 10-15 seconds to properly blend the spirits and simple syrup. This ensures a smooth and well-mixed cocktail. Finally, when adding the cola, pour it gently over the back of a spoon to create a layered effect, which not only looks appealing but also helps to maintain the carbonation.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
vodka - Substitute with white rum: Both are clear spirits with a neutral flavor profile, making them interchangeable in mixed drinks.
tequila - Substitute with mezcal: Mezcal has a similar base to tequila but adds a smoky flavor that can add depth to the drink.
white rum - Substitute with light rum: Light rum has a similar flavor profile and will maintain the balance of the cocktail.
gin - Substitute with vodka: Vodka is a neutral spirit that can replace gin if you prefer a less botanical flavor.
triple sec - Substitute with Cointreau: Cointreau is another orange liqueur that provides a similar citrusy sweetness.
simple syrup - Substitute with agave syrup: Agave syrup has a similar sweetness and consistency, making it a good alternative.
freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor, though it will slightly alter the taste.
cola - Substitute with diet cola: Diet cola provides the same flavor and carbonation with fewer calories.
lemon slice - Substitute with lime slice: Lime slices offer a similar visual appeal and a complementary citrus flavor.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Cocktail
How To Store / Freeze This Drink
Ensure you have a clean, airtight container to store your Long Island Iced Tea. A glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid works best to preserve the flavors.
Pour the mixed cocktail (excluding the cola and lemon slice) into the container. This helps maintain the integrity of the drink without the carbonation going flat.
Label the container with the date of preparation. This helps you keep track of its freshness.
Store the container in the refrigerator. The Long Island Iced Tea can be kept chilled for up to 3 days.
When ready to serve, pour the chilled mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.
Top with a splash of cola and garnish with a fresh lemon slice for that perfect finishing touch.
For freezing, pour the cocktail mixture (again, excluding the cola and lemon slice) into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion.
Seal the container tightly to prevent any freezer burn or contamination.
Label the container with the date and contents.
Freeze the Long Island Iced Tea mixture for up to 1 month.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the mixture in the refrigerator overnight.
Once thawed, give it a good shake or stir to recombine any separated ingredients.
Serve over ice, top with a splash of cola, and garnish with a fresh lemon slice.
How To Reheat Leftovers
- pour the leftover long island iced tea into a microwave-safe container.
- cover the container with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
- microwave on medium power for 30 seconds to 1 minute, checking frequently to avoid overheating.
- alternatively, pour the leftover long island iced tea into a small saucepan.
- heat over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
- avoid boiling to preserve the flavors of the vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, and triple sec.
- once warmed, pour the drink back into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
- top with a splash of cola and garnish with a fresh lemon slice.
Best Tools for Making This Drink
Cocktail shaker: Used to mix the ingredients thoroughly with ice to chill and blend the flavors.
Highball glass: The serving glass for the Long Island Iced Tea, typically tall and narrow.
Jigger: A measuring tool to ensure precise amounts of each spirit and other ingredients.
Strainer: Used to strain the mixed drink from the cocktail shaker into the highball glass, keeping the ice in the shaker.
Ice: Essential for chilling the drink and filling both the cocktail shaker and the highball glass.
Lemon squeezer: A tool to extract fresh lemon juice efficiently.
Knife: Used to cut the lemon slice for garnish.
Cutting board: A surface to safely cut the lemon for garnish.
How to Save Time on Making This Cocktail
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, triple sec, simple syrup, and lemon juice ahead of time.
Use a jigger: A jigger helps you quickly and accurately measure each liquor.
Batch the mix: Combine all the liquors and simple syrup in a large bottle to save time when making multiple drinks.
Fresh lemon juice: Squeeze lemon juice in advance and store it in the fridge.
Chill the cola: Keep your cola chilled to avoid diluting the drink with ice.

Long Island Iced Tea Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 0.5 oz Vodka
- 0.5 oz Tequila
- 0.5 oz White rum
- 0.5 oz Gin
- 0.5 oz Triple sec
- 1 oz Simple syrup
- 1 oz Lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 splash Cola
- 1 slice Lemon for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add vodka, tequila, rum, gin, triple sec, simple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Shake well and strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
- Top with a splash of cola and garnish with a lemon slice.
Nutritional Value
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