The Long Island iced tea is one of many creative cocktails whose many ingredients are intended to simulate the flavor of something VERY different from what the name implies.
Although this recipe contains no tea whatsoever, a true Long Island iced tea does taste like tea, and it did hail from Long Island. Robert C. “Rosebud” Butt is credited with creating it in the 1970s, and ever since, he has been toast of the town as well as the butt of many jokes and even a few rants from those who’ve overindulged in this refreshing yet powerful drink.
This great recipe takes the double-punch out of this classic drink
As Joseph Scott and Donald Bain point out in The World’s Best Bartender Guide, the problem with the Long Island iced tea is that it doesn’t taste like an alcoholic drink. Those who aren’t regular drinkers end up enjoying this beverage a little too much, often getting as boiled as an owl. In fact, most savvy bartenders will limit customers to two — and other bars will no longer serve it because it goes down so easily, with the drinker soon following suit.
Still, the Long Island iced tea need not be a knockout punch. By halving the ingredients as we’ve done here, the flavor remains but the kick is softened.
Originally an American frat house formulation, this drink has made its way in and out of bars and lounges across the country, inspiring praise and begrudging respect along the way. Try it at your next party!
Ingredients
Mixing Instructions
Shake the vodka, gin, tequila, rum, lemon juice, triple sec, and sugar with ice. Then strain into a chilled collins glass filled with ice. Add cola to fill, gently stir, and garnish with a lemon wedge.
Variation: For Texas Tea, add 1/2 ounce bourbon.
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