How to Mix a Long Island Ice Tea

There is some dispute about the origins of Long Island Ice Tea. Some say the drink was invented not in New York but in a Tennessee community called Long Island. Others claim it was invented in the early 20th century during the Prohibition era.
Loving-longisland.com, however, states that the most accepted version of the story of its beginnings is that it was invented in 1972 by Hamptons bartender Robert (Rosebud) Butt.

Long Island Ice Tea is a popular drink that is both refreshing and strong. Recipes for this cocktail vary, but it is always simple to prepare.

Things You'll Need

• Tall glass
• Ice
• Gin
• Light rum
• Tequila
• Triple Sec
• Vodka
• Sweet and sour mix
• Cola
• Stirrer
• Lemon

Instructions

1. Fill the tall glass with ice.

2. Measure out a quarter ounce of each liquor (the gin, rum, vodka, tequila and triple sec), and one ounce of the sweet and sour mix.

3. Pour all the liquors and the sweet and sour mix into the glass, over the ice.

4. Stir the mixture together thoroughly. You can use a spoon or a straw.

5. Add a splash of Coke to the top of the glass until the mixture turns slightly dark.

6. Cut a lemon into quarters and add a wedge to the cocktail as a garnish. To add extra flavor, squeeze the lemon edge slightly as you are garnishing.

Tips & Warnings

• Long Island Ice Tea may be made stronger by adding only a little Coke, or weaker by adding more Coke and using a taller glass. In place of Coke, cranberry juice may be added to the cocktail to make a "Long Beach Ice Tea". Alternatively, a "Beverly Hills Ice Tea may be made by substituting champagne for Coke. If no sweet and sour mix is available, orange juice may be substituted for a similar taste.

• Long Island Ice Tea contains five different liquors and has a very high alcohol volume (depending upon the brands of liquor used). The combination of liquors masks the flavor of each, which could mislead someone into thinking there is not a lot of alcohol in the cocktail. Drink in moderation.

References

• Loving Long Island
• Drinks Mixer