Long Island Iced Tea - Five-Spirit Cola Highball & 1970s Long Island Classic

The Long Island Iced Tea combines vodka, tequila, light rum, gin, Cointreau, lemon, simple syrup, and cola in one tall build. Despite the name, there is no tea in the glass; the cola creates its familiar iced-tea color. Equal spirit measures, firm citrus, and controlled sweetness make the drink work when every pour is precise.

Background

The best-documented modern origin credits bartender Robert "Rosebud" Butt, who said he created the drink during a triple-sec cocktail contest at the Oak Beach Inn on Long Island, New York, in the early 1970s. Kingsport, Tennessee, promotes a competing Prohibition-era Bishop-family story, but that earlier formula differs from today's drink and is less well documented. The modern version became a widespread bar standard.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Vodka: Adds clean alcoholic structure without dominating the other spirits.
• Tequila Blanco: Brings crisp agave and peppery character.
• Light Rum: Adds mild sugarcane sweetness and body.
• Gin: Contributes a light botanical layer.
• Cointreau: Supplies concentrated orange flavor and ties the citrus components together.
• Lemon Juice: Provides the acidity needed to balance the spirits and syrup.
• Simple Syrup: Softens the lemon and rounds out the high-proof base.
• Coca Cola, or Coke: Adds carbonation, caramel flavor, sweetness, and the drink's tea-like color.

Substitution note: A quality triple sec can replace Cointreau, but it will differ from the current standardized specification.

Equipment

• Highball Glass
• Jigger
• Bar spoon
• Ice

Eight Ingredients, One Clear Structure

The bottle count makes this drink look chaotic, but its structure is surprisingly disciplined. Vodka, tequila, rum, gin, and Cointreau are poured in equal proportions, creating a broad spirit base without letting one bottle take over. Lemon and simple syrup form the sweet-sour counterweight, while cola lengthens the drink and adds carbonation and caramel depth.

Precise measuring matters here. Too much of any single spirit can pull the drink out of balance, and an oversized cola pour can bury the citrus and orange notes that hold the recipe together.

Substitutions & Variations

• Long Beach Iced Tea: Replace the cola with cranberry juice for a tart, fruitier variation.
• Texas Tea: Add bourbon for another layer of whiskey character.
• Triple Sec Version: Substitute another quality triple sec for Cointreau if needed.
• Lime Accent: Add a small amount of fresh lime alongside the lemon for a sharper citrus profile.

These variations depart from the standardized Long Island Iced Tea build.

Helpful Tips

• Measure every spirit: Equal pours are central to the drink's balance.
• Use fresh lemon juice: Its clean acidity keeps the spirit-heavy build from tasting flat.
• Fill the glass with ice: Plenty of ice chills the drink efficiently while controlling dilution.
• Keep the cola cold: Chilled cola helps preserve both temperature and carbonation.
• Add cola last: This minimizes unnecessary agitation.
• Stir gently: A few turns are enough to integrate the drink without flattening the cola.
• Batch carefully: For several servings, combine the spirits, Cointreau, lemon, and syrup ahead of time, then add ice and cola to each glass individually.
• Keep the garnish optional: A simple lemon slice works cleanly with the drink.