Classic Long Island Tea: Cocktail Recipe with a Kick

Published: Jan 31, 2015 Last Updated: May 2, 2023 by Marye 872 words. | About 5 minutes to read this article.

Classic Long Island Tea is a strong cocktail that was created during prohibition to mimic iced tea. It's a lot stronger than it tastes so be cautious and drink responsibly!

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Classic Long Island Tea is a great, basic cocktail that allows you to create hundreds of variations! While it looks like a big, frosty glass of iced tea in reality it contains some pretty serious ingredients like gin, tequila, rum, and vodka. It's refreshingly perfect for summer sipping!

Long island tea cocktail in a mason jar with a green and white striped straw - title image

Ok. This Long Island Iced tea is a cocktail that comes with a lot of controversy. I've always understood that it was created during prohibition because it resembled tea. I remember my dad making them during the summer pool parties in the 1960s... but some people say that it wasn't invented until the 1970s... and many people put this drink in the category of "Frat Boy Drinks" that are disgusting.

Whatever. I like it, I think Long Island Iced Tea is a classic, cocktail and I think it's worth knowing how to make. Since this is my blog I get to say what I want. A Long Island Iced tea is the basic for all of my favorite drinks at Logan's Roadhouse. It's very versatile and you can add a variety of flavored vodkas to tweak it perfectly for you.

Another shot of the long island tea cocktail - on the beach

Ah... if only that was a real picture instead of a backdrop...

Anyway... this is the last recipe for classic cocktails month... I'm not sure where it's going to go next month. But learn to make this and you'll have the basics for almost any Roadhouse Tea type drink. Be careful though - this is one drink that packs a punch. I like to dilute it with club soda. Basically just make the drink like the recipe below, strain into you glass, and then add club soda or ginger ale to taste.

Cheers. y'all!

Long Island Iced Tea Recipe Notes

Have questions about this cocktail? I have answers! Here are some of the most common questions about Long Island Tea-

What Makes a Long Island Iced Tea a Long Island Iced Tea?

This cocktail was originally a mixture of clear spirits shaken together to resemble iced tea so you'll find a ton of recipe versions. In its most basic form it's made up of equal amounts of the big four - gin, vodka, tequila, and rum with a little Coca Cola added for color and flavor.

How Many Standard Drinks Are in a Long Island Tea?

One glass of Long Island Tea contains four standard sized drinks. With 4 to 5 shots per cocktail it's one of the strongest cocktails made - there's usually no actual tea in it at all! Order it "Extra Long" and you'll get even more alcohol.

What Is a Long Island Iced Tea Supposed to Taste Like?

It actually does taste very similar to iced tea - sweet and tangy!

How Many Calories Does Long Island Tea Have?

It weighs in (weighs in - get it?) at just under 800 calories on average.

Can You Make Long Island Iced Tea in a Pitcher?

You sure can! Just click on the servings in the recipe below and adjust the serving size up to about 10. You'll get the measurements for a pitcher full of Long Island Tea!

What Is Sour Mix?

Sour Mix is called for in many cocktail recipes. It's easy to make at home! Just combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved. Add 1 cup lemon juice and 1 cup lime juice. Keep refrigerated. The recipe below uses the simple syrup (the boiled sugar and water) with an equal amount of lemon juice in place of sour mix.

How to Serve Long Island Tea?

Serve it over ice in a high ball or hurricane glass garnished with a lemon or lime wheel.

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Long Island Tea Recipe

This cocktail recipe is my own twist on the classic. I use Sweet Tea vodka to give it more of a Southern tea flavor but you can use your favorite vodka, plain or flavored. If you like this recipe please give it 5 stars!

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About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them. She's been around the culinary block more than once, turning simple ingredients into mouthwatering masterpieces. With a sprinkle of humor and a dash of wit, she makes cooking feel like a piece of cake (which she can also teach you to bake perfectly). When she's not conjuring up delicious dishes, you might find her sharing laughs with her family, reading by the fire, or scribbling down her next big recipe idea. Marye believes that a good meal and a hearty laugh are the best parts of life. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.