Long Island Iced Tea
A deceptively smooth cocktail that packs a serious punch. Despite its name, there's no actual tea in it — the cola gives it that amber iced-tea look. Made with a bold mix of five white spirits balanced by fresh lemon juice and a splash of cola, this is the ultimate party drink that tastes just like a refreshing iced tea.
For 1 serving
- prep
Fill the highball glass with fresh ice.
Take a tall highball glass and fill it all the way to the top with fresh ice cubes. Set the glass aside while you mix the drink.
- mix
Combine all spirits and lemon juice in a shaker.
Into a cocktail shaker, pour the vodka, white rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup. Fill the shaker halfway with ice cubes.
TIPUse freshly squeezed lemon juice — it makes a huge difference compared to bottled. - mix
Shake vigorously until well chilled.
Seal the shaker tightly and shake hard for about 10 to 15 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels ice cold to the touch.
- assemble
Strain into the prepared ice-filled glass.
Using a Hawthorne strainer, strain the shaken mixture into the highball glass filled with fresh ice.
TIPStraining over fresh ice — not the ice you shook with — keeps the drink from getting watery too fast. - assemble
Top with cola.
Slowly pour chilled cola over the top of the drink until it reaches just below the rim. The cola gives the cocktail its signature iced-tea color.
- mix
Give it a gentle stir.
Insert a bar spoon and give the drink one or two gentle stirs to marry the cola with the spirits — don't over-stir or you'll lose the fizz.
- garnish
Garnish with a lemon wheel and serve immediately.
Place a fresh lemon wheel or wedge on the rim of the glass. Serve right away while the drink is ice-cold and the cola is still bubbling.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Use freshly squeezed lemon juice — bottled juice lacks brightness and can make the drink taste flat.
- 2Chill your cola and glass beforehand to keep the drink cold without excessive dilution.
- 3Shake with ice until the shaker is frosty — under-shaking leaves the spirits harsh and warm.
- 4Strain over fresh ice, not the ice used for shaking, to avoid watery dilution.
- 5Pour the cola slowly down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation and the layered iced-tea look.
- 6Stir gently just once or twice after adding cola — over-stirring flattens the fizz.
Adapt it for your goals.
Non-alcoholic (mocktail)
Replace each spirit with an equal amount of strong brewed chilled black tea, and use a non-alcoholic orange syrup instead of triple sec. Keeps the iced-tea look and layered flavor without the alcohol.
low sugarLow-sugar
Use a diet or zero-sugar cola and substitute simple syrup with a sugar-free alternative or a dash of monk fruit sweetener. Ideal for cutting carbs while keeping the classic taste.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Vitamin C from Lemon Juice
Fresh lemon juice provides a natural source of vitamin C, which supports immune health and adds antioxidant properties.
Low Ingredient Count, Controlled Portions
Each spirit is measured precisely, allowing you to track your alcohol intake and avoid hidden sugars found in pre-mixed cocktails.
Frequently asked questions
The name comes from the color — the cola gives the drink an amber, tea-like appearance. The 'Long Island' refers to the New York region where the cocktail is said to have originated.
