How to Make a Great Long Island Iced Tea

A Long Island iced tea can be garnished with lemons.

Long Island iced teas came about in the 1970s and are named for Long Island in New York. Although there's almost nothing but alcohol in them, they taste somewhat like tea, hence the name.

Things You'll Need

• Vodka
• Tequila
• Rum
• Gin
• Triple sec
• Sweet and sour mix
• Cola
• Shaker

Instructions

1. Understand that Long Island iced teas don't have a specific recipe, but many of the ingredients always are used. Variations include adding freshly squeezed lemon juice and skipping the tequila. Most commonly, they are made with five white liquors: tequila, gin, vodka, light rum and triple sec.

2. Add ice to a glass and pour the liquors you want to use into it in equal parts. Leave enough room for the sour mix -- one and a half times the amount you used per liquor. For example, if you used one shot of each liquor, use one and a half shots of sour mix. Add a splash of cola.

3. Pour everything into the shaker, give it one good shake and pour back into the glass. There should be a little fizz at the top. Serve.

References

• Drinks Mixer: Long Island Iced Tea Recipe