Taste: sweet, refreshing
Ingredients
- 1.5 cl white rum
- 1.5 cl orange liqueur (e.g. Triple Sec, Curaçao)
- 1.5 cl vodka
- 1.5 cl tequila
- 1.5 cl gin
- 1.5 cl sugar syrup
- 1.5 cl lime juice
- Cola to refill
- ice cubes (optional)
preparation
- Fill a long drink glass with ice cubes.
- Add rum, orange liqueur, vodka, tequila, gin, simple syrup and lime juice.
- Stir briefly.
- Fill with cola.
Helpful tips for preparation:
1.5 cl corresponds to 15 ml (about a tablespoon).
variations
A well-known variation of the Long Island Iced Tea is the Long Beach Iced Tea, where cranberry juice is used instead of cola. Another variation is the Tokyo Iced Tea, which gets a green color and tastes a little sweeter due to the addition of melon liqueur.
flavors and flavor combinations
The Long Island Iced Tea impresses with its complex flavor combination of fresh citrus notes from the lime juice and orange liqueur and a light sweetness from sugar syrup and cola. The different spirits add subtle flavors that combine harmoniously and are surprisingly mild, despite the high alcohol content. The slightly bitter aftertaste of the cola rounds off the profile and makes the drink refreshing and sweet at the same time.
glass selection and presentation
A tall long drink glass (highball glass) is best for the Long Island Iced Tea. This glass not only emphasizes the look of the cocktail, but also offers enough space for the ice cubes and the cola. For presentation, the cocktail can be garnished with a slice of lemon or lime on the rim of the glass. A cocktail stirrer or a short straw completes the look and makes it easier to enjoy the drink.
Regional Variation
The Long Island Iced Tea is prepared almost the same around the world, but the amounts of spirits sometimes vary depending on the country. In some regions, the drink is served with a splash of lemon juice instead of lime juice. In Mexico, tequila is often used as the dominant spirit, giving the drink a stronger agave flavor.
meal suggestions
Due to its intense flavor, the Long Island Iced Tea goes well with spicy dishes such as Mexican tacos or spicy chicken wings. Finger food such as nachos with cheese or spicy mini burgers also complement the drink excellently. The sweet component of the cocktail also harmonizes well with BBQ dishes, where the smoky flavors of the meat are balanced by the refreshing sweetness of the cola.
History and Origin
The history and origin of Long Island Iced Tea is surrounded by various legends and myths, making it difficult to pinpoint a definitive origin. Two of the most well-known stories come from different eras and regions.
1. The Story of Robert “Rosebud” Butt
The most common version says that the Long Island Iced Tea was invented in the 1970s by a bartender named Robert "Rosebud" Butt in Long Island, New York. Butt claims he created the cocktail in 1972 during a mixing competition sponsored by a liquor company. The goal of the competition was to develop a new drink using triple sec. Butt then combined several clear spirits, added cola for color and a bit of lemon for flavor. The result was a cocktail that resembled iced tea in color, although it didn't contain any iced tea.
2. The Story of “Old Man Bishop”
An alternative and lesser-known story traces the origins of the Long Island Iced Tea to the Prohibition era in the 1920s. According to this version, the cocktail was invented on Long Island, Tennessee, by a man named "Old Man Bishop." He supposedly mixed a similar combination of spirits to disguise the alcohol content of his drink and make it look like iced tea. Later, his son Ransom is said to have refined the recipe and popularized today's version of the Long Island Iced Tea.
Naming and Popularity
Regardless of its actual origin, the Long Island Iced Tea gets its name from its striking resemblance to iced tea, both in color and the glass it is served in. Despite its high alcohol concentration, the taste of the alcohol is cleverly masked by the sweet cola and fresh citrus notes, which has made the drink especially popular with partygoers.
In the decades that followed, the Long Island Iced Tea gained worldwide fame and became a staple of bar culture, especially as a popular drink in clubs and at large events. Its reputation as a "dangerously sweet" cocktail that seems stronger than it tastes remains to this day.
