The Long Island Iced Tea works on restraint at the bottle: vodka, gin, white rum, tequila and triple sec at half an ounce each, with lemon and a splash of cola for the tea-brown colour. There is no tea in it and never was. Born on Long Island in the 1970s. It earned its reputation, and it tastes far lighter than it is, which is the same sentence said twice.
Five Spirits, Small Measures
The trick that keeps the Long Island from being undrinkable is restraint at the bottle: each of the five spirits goes in at half an ounce. Together they still add up to a serious drink, but no single spirit dominates — they blur into one another.
The sour mix of lemon and a little sugar pulls the spirits together, and the splash of cola is exactly that: a splash, for the tea-brown colour and a trace of sweetness, not a full top.
Build It Tall and Cold
Build it straight in a tall glass over plenty of ice — there is nothing to emulsify and nothing to show off, so shaking is optional and largely theatre.
Serve it long, with a lemon wedge, and treat it with respect. The Long Island's whole reputation rests on tasting far lighter than it is.
Variations
The Long Island with cranberry for the cola — pink, tart, a touch brighter.
- 1/2 oz eachVodka, gin, rum, tequila
- 1/2 ozTriple sec
- TopCranberry juice
The Long Island gone green — Midori melon liqueur for the cola.
- 1/2 oz eachVodka, gin, rum, tequila
- 1 ozMidori
- TopLemon-lime soda
The Long Island with bourbon added — bigger, browner, and unrepentant.
- 1/2 oz eachFive white spirits
- 1/2 ozBourbon
- TopCola