Imagine you are relaxing at home after a Long Island Ice Tea, summer day. All around you, there is the warm haze of the sun, lingering even as it sets. It makes your hands sweaty, clumsy in their grip, longing for something cool to hold onto. You crave the sensation of ice on your tongue, followed by a flavour of refreshment at the back of your throat. Though you feel lazy, in your mind you are turning the pages of recipes you can try to chase the heat away. Iced tea might sound like a really good option, but a fizzy cocktail might be tempting, too. Or, you may just want that simple, familiar glass of cola.
Well, if you ever find yourself in such a situation, confused between all these choices, we have just the solution for you. There is one drink which brings the beautiful hue of iced tea, the bubbliness of cola and the burn of alcohol, all in one: Long Island Ice Tea.
Yes, a Long Island Ice Tea is a cocktail which combines all these distinct qualities into one unique flavour, leaving its drinkers in awe. It has become a rather popular choice of drink these days, especially during summertime, because it provides just the relief that one craves on a tiring summer day. So, you can try making this cocktail at home, if you have been looking for something similar.
Today, we are going to tell you all about how to make your very own Long Island Ice Tea recipe at home. So, sit down, grab a pen and paper, and get ready to read about the basics behind your favourite cocktail!
What is Long Island Ice Tea?
The first thing you should know is that Long Island Ice Tea, contrary to what its name suggests, is not an iced tea. Rather, a large portion of Long Island Ice Tea ingredients is different types of alcoholic spirits, making it an alcoholic mixed drink. It is called by Long Island Ice Tea simply because it has the brown-gold hue which is reminiscent of iced tea, even without there being any tea inside.
Long Island Ice TeaA Long Island Ice Tea typically contains cola as well as an orange liqueur and lemon juice. This means that it has the fizzling taste of soda, along with cool, citrusy flavours. It is this that makes Long Island Ice Tea such a popular summer drink: it has some natural flavours to bring in refreshment.
So, if you find yourself wanting something cool, but are tired of your usual iced tea, you can give this cocktail a try to shake things up a little (literally)!
Long Island Ice Tea Recipe
Okay, so you have decided to give Long Island Ice Tea a try and are looking for an appropriate recipe. The first thing you need to know is that making cocktails is all about experimenting, so are free to alter the steps as per your comfort. A single taste will not suit all palettes, so it’s okay to add or remove flavours in the way you want. After all, you are the one who has to enjoy this drink at the end of the day. So, make sure that you consider yourself along the way!
Long Island Ice TeaTo get started with this recipe, you need to gather the following Long Island Ice Tea ingredients:
1. 1/2 oz. of blanco tequila
2. 1/2 oz. of white rum
3. 1/2 oz. of gin
4. 1/2 oz. of vodka
5. 1/2 oz. of triple sec (orange-flavoured liqueur)
6. 1 oz. of sour mix
7. 1 to 2 oz. of Cola
8. Lemon wedges for garnishing
9. Ice
The very first thing you need to do is add the tequila, rum, gin, vodka, triple sec and sour mix into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake this mixture nicely, so that all the ingredients get mixed well into a unified texture and taste.
Then, strain this drink into a collins glass or a hurricane glass, with ice. Now, top this drink off using the Cola, as per your liking, by pouring it into the glass.
Finally, take the lemon wedges and then tuck them along the rim of the glass, finishing the drink with garnishing! With this, your Long Island Ice Tea recipe is complete and you are free to enjoy it as you kick back your feet and relax into your comfortable chair, just as you deserve!
Variations you can Try
As mentioned before, no recipe is set in stone and thus, you can make variations to any chosen Long Island Ice Tea recipe if you want.
One thing which can be changed is the way you mix your ingredients. While some prefer to shake it in a cocktail shaker for a soft, unified taste, others might just directly add the ingredients to the glass and stir them to mix.
Second, you can also replace the sour mix with around 1/2 oz. of simple syrup and 1/2 oz. of freshly squeezed lemon juice, in case that is more appealing to you.
Other than this, there are several other iced tea drinks which you can make, such as Earl Grey Infused Gin Cocktail, Iced Green Tea Mojitos, Southern Spiked Peach Ice Tea, etc. So, if you find out that cocktails with the aesthetic of iced tea are just your thing, you can give these a try!
Enjoying while Respecting your Limits
Ultimately, keep in mind that any cocktail, including Long Island Ice Tea, will contain a combination of alcohols and so, it is important to be careful, even as you have fun. Always keep an eye on your drinks if you are going outside and make sure you are fully aware of the ingredients you are consuming. Also, keep track of the alcohol content in the drinks that you are consuming, so that you don’t overdo it. Always prepare for what comes afterwards i.e. have someone there to take care of you if necessary and don’t drive any vehicle when under the influence of alcohol.
Long Island Ice TeaTrying out something new means giving yourself room for trial and error. A recipe might not always turn out as it appears in pictures, but that doesn’t mean its wrong. After all, whatever you create is yours at the end of the day, and just the work you have put into it makes it special. So, enjoy your reward knowing that you have earned it and that you deserve it so, so much!
Also read- Sailor Jerry Cocktail Recipes
