History & Heritage
“Robert "Rosebud" Butt claims he created the Long Island Iced Tea for a 1972 cocktail contest at the Oak Beach Inn. Its near‑equal pour of four clear spirits plus triple sec and cola mimics the look of iced tea while packing a formidable punch, making it a symbol of 1980s excess and bar‑hopping culture.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
1 oz
1 oz
1 oz
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add all spirits, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice
Shake briefly and strain into an ice-filled Collins glass
Top with cola
Garnish with a lemon wedge
Glassware
Built over ice in a tall Collins glass
Garnish
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use fresh lemon juice for balance
A small cola splash keeps color and sweetness in check
Stir gently after topping to preserve carbonation
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
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Sour
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Bitter
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Strong
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Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Long Island Iced Tea.
Long Beach Iced Tea
Replaces cola with cranberry juice for a tart red hue.
Changes
Tokyo Tea
Adds Midori melon liqueur and lemon-lime soda for a neon green sipper.
Changes
Adios Motherf***er
Uses blue curaçao and lemon-lime soda for an electric-blue take.
Changes
Texas Tea
Adds bourbon and omits tequila for a darker, oakier profile.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Appletini
A neon-green vodka martini flavored with sour apple schnapps – sweet, tart, and playful.
Bramble
Dick Bradsell's 1980s London creation layers dry gin, fresh citrus and rich blackberry liqueur over a mound of crushed ice for a tart, jammy refresher.
French 75
A crisp union of gin, lemon, sugar, and Champagne that delivers bracing bubbles with artillery-level snap.