This Long Island Iced Tea follows the classic recipe with 5 types of liquor, sweet and sour mix, and Coca-Cola. This classic cocktail is a strong one but it’s so good – and can easily be made in minutes!
More cocktails to enjoy before the summer is over! Dirty Shirley, Blue Hawaiian, and Sex on the Beach.
Classic Long Island Iced Tea Recipe
Is there a cocktail more infamous than Long Island Iced Tea? This classic cocktail is a feisty one, with five different liquors and just a splash of sweet and sour mix and Coca-Cola.
While this isn’t typically a cocktail that most people enjoy daily, it IS a fun one and since it contains almost every type of liquor, a lot of drinkers won’t turn one down, no matter what they usually drink. It’s especially refreshing on a hot day, so try making a big pitcher of this for your next pool party or BBQ!
What Is Long Island Iced Tea?
So what exactly is in a Long Island Iced Tea? Lots of liquor. HA. The official Long Island Iced Tea recipe, which we’re making today, is made with 5 types of liquor – gin, silver tequila, vodka, white rum, and triple sec. Then add a bit of sweet and sour mix (aka lemon-lime and sugar) and Coca-Cola.
The end result is a notoriously dangerous cocktail because while that mixture of liquor served up with just a splash of mixer may not sound great, it’s actually quite tasty! Strong, but tasty. And no, there is not actually any iced tea in any version of a Long Island.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s all you will need for this classic cocktail.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Liquor – A Long Island Iced Tea is made with equal parts gin, tequila, vodka, rum, and triple sec.
- Sweet and sour mix – This can be replaced by adding lemon juice and simple syrup (1/2 ounce each).
- Coca-Cola – Gives the cocktail some bubbles, flavor, and the signature color.
- Lemon slices – A classic garnish!
Tip: Use Quality Liquor
Want to avoid a hangover after an afternoon of sipping some Long Island cocktails? Make sure you’re using quality liquor. Mixing liquor can often lead to a headache but this is even more true when drinking cheap liquor. There’s no need to reach for top-shelf bottles but definitely don’t use the cheapest bottles possible.
Can I Make This Less Strong?
This is the classic way to make a Long Island iced tea and it’s definitely quite strong. Even if you measure everything exactly vs being a bit generous, you’ll still end up with 2 1/2 ounces of liquor in your drink. That’s the equivalent of a few beers. If you want a drink that’s not quite as strong, I suggest adding double or triple the amount of sweet and sour mix and Coca Cola.
Variations
Like any other classic cocktail, there are many variations on a Long Island iced tea. Many of them simply require substituting or adding an ingredient or two. Here are some of the most popular versions:
- Texas Tea – Just add bourbon! You’ll find some Long Islands made this way but it’s not technically correct. There is no bourbon or whiskey in a real Long Island drink.
- Hawaiian Iced Tea – Add pineapple juice instead of coca-cola.
- Long Beach Iced Tea – Replace the coca-cola with cranberry juice.
- Miami Iced Tea – Swap the tequila for peach schnapps and use your favorite lemon lime soda in place of coca-cola.
How to Make a Long Island Iced Tea
Here’s all you need to do to make your cocktail.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Shake. Add all of the ingredients except for the soda to a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice. Shake vigorously.
- Serve. Strain and pour over ice. Top with coca-cola and garnish with a lemon.
Can I Make This for a Crowd?
You can easily make a big batch of Long Island Iced Tea for a crowd! Pour however many times you want of the liquors and sweet and sour mix into a pitcher. Stir to combine. Pour over ice and add the soda to each glass with a lemon slice garnish.
You can also prepare this a few hours in advance and keep it in the fridge. Just be sure to wait to add the soda right when serving.
More Summer Cocktail Recipes:
- Blue Hawaiian
- Sex on the Beach Drink
- Dirty Shirley
- Brandy Alexander Milkshake
- Tequila Sunrise
- Watermelon Sangria
- Sea Breeze Cocktail
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Long Island Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 1/2 ouce gin
- 1/2 ounce silver tequila
- 1/2 ounce triple sec
- 1/2 ounce vodka
- 1/2 ounce white rum
- 1 ounce sweet and sour mix
- 1 ounce coca cola
- lemon slices , for garnish
Instructions
- Add ice halfway full into a cocktail shaker. Add gin, tequila, triple sec, vodka, rum, and sweet and sour mix. Put the top on the shaker and shake vigorously.
- Strain and pour over ice in a glass.
- Top with the cola.
- Garnish with lemon and serve.
