Food and Recipes Drinks Cocktails Long Island Iced Tea 5.0 (1) 1 Review This Tennessee-inspired Long Island iced tea is a little bit different than the classic drink. By Liz Mervosh Updated on April 15, 2024 Recipe tested by Southern Living Test Kitchen Recipe tested by Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Learn more about the Southern Living Test Kitchen Rate PRINT Share Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Active Time: 5 mins Total Time: 5 mins Servings: 2 This is not a classic Long Island Iced Tea recipe, and there's a very good reason for that: This is the Tennessee version of the world-famous cocktail. The Tennessee version, you ask? What do Tennessee and Long Island have in common? A lot, it turns out. Some people in Tennessee claim this liquor-heavy, cola-sweetened cocktail actually comes from Long Island: a community in Kingsport, Tennessee—not New York's peninsula by the same name. Thus, this version of Long Island iced tea has a few Southern twists—whiskey, for one, where most Long Island Iced Teas have only clear liquors. Plus, in addition to cola, it has sorghum syrup. a rich-as-honey syrup that adds loads of sweetness and a hint of tartness, similar to molasses. Cane syrup works well if you can't find sorghum. We've also made this recipe a bit more upscale than the back-bar slurries you probably drank in college. It uses fresh citrus juices rather than sour mix for a cleaner sour flavor, and instead of pouring everything into a glass and stirring, we start this cocktail off by shaking the liquors. While not traditional, shaking helps blend and dilute the mixture right off the bat so the whole cocktail comes together seamlessly. Learn more about the history of the Long Island Iced Tea and if Tennessee really has any claim to this drink's fame. What Is a Long Island Iced Tea? Long Island Iced Tea is a popular, and potent, drink, that's a favorite for happy hour, summer events, late nights, and special occasions. The potency of the drink is due to the combination of various types of liquors, packing a punch in each glass. In spite of its name, Long Island Iced Tea does not actually contain tea. In actuality, the combination of liquors with citrus juice and cola gives the drink the appearance of iced tea. Served in a highball glass over ice, this drink might look like a simple iced tea, but it certainly doesn't taste like one. Ingredients for Long Island Iced Tea The addition of whiskey gives this Long Island Iced Tea a decidedly Tennessee-inspired twist. High-quality ingredients, fresh citrus juice, and strips of lemon peel take this nostalgic drink to the next level. To make this cocktail, you'll need: Light rum: A base spirit for the cocktail, for sweetness and light tropical flavor.Vodka: A neutral spirit that increases the overall alcohol content.Blanco tequila: For a distinct agave flavor and hint of earthiness.Tennessee whiskey: Adds depth and richness to the drink with notes of oak and vanilla.Gin: Adds herbal notes, balancing the richness of the whiskey.Sorghum syrup or cane syrup: Lightly sweetens the drink.Fresh lime and lemon juice: This duo adds a bright freshness to the drink and a fruity complexity.Cola soft drink: Adds a bubbly sweetness to the drink, giving it the appearance of iced tea.Lemon peel strips: Rubbed around each glass for a hint of citrusy aroma and used as garnish for visual appeal. Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall How To Make Long Island Iced Tea While this drink might traditionally be stirred, not shaken, we think using a cocktail shaker helps the flavors meld and dilute slightly for a smoother taste. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started: Step 1. Shake liquors: Shake to combine liquors, syrup, and citrus juices in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into 2 glasses filled halfway with ice.Step 2. Top with cola, and serve: Top each glass with cola. Run a lemon peel around the rim of each, and use as garnish. Long Island Iced Tea Variations Over the years, this club classic has inspired a host of variations. Some of the most well-known include a Hawaiian-inspired version with pineapple juice in the place of cola, and a Long Beach Iced Tea with the cola replaced by cranberry juice. To switch up this potent cocktail, consider these other variations: Rum: Swap the light rum with coconut rum for a tropical twist, or with spiced rum for warmth.Citrus: Use grapefruit or orange juice for a citrusy flavor.Sweetener: While sorghum syrup adds a rich, honey-like sweetness and color to the drink, swap with cane syrup or a homemade simple syrup if needed.Smoky twist: Use a smoky whiskey or mezcal in the place of the whiskey for a smoky complexity.Herbal infusion: Muddle basil, mint, or rosemary for an herbal twist.Fruity touch: Muddle cherries, peaches, or other ripe fruits before shaking into the liquor mixture. Tips for the Best Long Island Iced Tea For a potent drink with loads of complexity and flavor, keep these tips in mind: Quality ingredients: High-quality spirits will help create a smooth and balanced flavor.Fresh citrus juice: Using fresh citrus juice is an easy way to blow sour mix right out of the water.Keep to the recipe: Keep proportions in mind for a balanced cocktail.Sweeten to taste: Since the drink is topped with cola, adjust the quantity of syrup as desired if you're looking for a mild sweetness. Chill the ingredients: Before mixing to help create a cold, refreshing drink that doesn't overly dilute when shaken.Serve in a tall glass: Filled with ice for an iced tea-like presentation. What To Serve with Long Island Iced Tea This powerful cocktail is best balanced with snacks to help keep the party going. Serve with a charcuterie board, or salty snacks like pretzels, chips, and nuts. You can also pair with spicy appetizers, including Buffalo Chicken Bites, jalapeño poppers, or this Spicy Strawberry Crostini for a summery touch. Seafood-based appetizers like crab cakes and shrimp cocktail offer a mild brininess to balance the sweetness of the drink. 50 Last-Minute Appetizers That Are Ready In 25 Minutes Or Less How To Prepare Long Island Iced Teas for a Crowd To prepare a large batch of Long Island Iced Teas, first calculate the desired number of servings and multiply the ingredient quantities accordingly. In a large pitcher or container, combine the ingredients based on your calculations. Chill at least an hour before serving. When ready to serve, fill glasses halfway with ice. Guests can pour in the Long Island Iced Tea mixture and top with cola as desired. More Classic Cocktail Recipes To Start the Party Are you ready for an epic evening? These buzzy cocktails are classics for good reason: Dark N' Stormy French 75 Sweet Old Fashioned Aperol-Bourbon Fizz Pitcher Mojitos Moscow Mule Bee's Knees Cocktail Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse. Ingredients 3 Tbsp. (1 1/2 oz.) light rum 3 Tbsp. (1 1/2 oz.) vodka 3 Tbsp. (1 1/2 oz.) blanco tequila 3 Tbsp. (1 1/2 oz.) Tennessee whiskey 3 Tbsp. (1 1/2 oz.) gin 2 Tbsp. (1 oz.) sorghum syrup or cane syrup 1 1/2 Tbsp. (3/4 oz.) fresh lime juice (from 1 lime) 1 1/2 Tbsp. (3/4 oz.) fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon) 1 cup cola soft drink 2 (3- x 1-in.) lemon peel strips (from 1 lemon) Directions Shake liquors: Add rum, vodka, tequila, whiskey, gin, sorghum or cane syrup, lime juice, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker, and add ice to fill. Cover and shake vigorously until chilled and frost forms on shaker, about 15 seconds. Strain evenly into 2 (16-ounce) Collins glasses filled halfway with ice. Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Top with cola, and serve: Divide cola evenly between glasses (1/2 cup each). Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Twist 1 lemon peel strip over each cocktail, and run around rim of glass; add peel to cocktail as garnish. Serve immediately. Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Frequently Asked Questions What makes this drink different from a classic Long Island Iced Tea? With whiskey in the mix instead of tequila, and sorghum syrup to sweeten it, this Long Island Iced Tea has a Tennessee-inspired twist. Can Long Island Iced Tea be made without cola? Yes—for some variations of Long Island Iced Tea, the cola is swapped with fruit juice or lemon-lime soda. Is Long Island Iced Tea typically served in a specific type of glass? Long Island Iced Tea is typically served in a tall glass, known as a Collins glass or highball glass, for ample space for ice and an iced tea-like presentation. What does a Long Island Iced Tea taste like? Long Island Iced Tea is a potent and complex drink. The combination of liquors gives it a boozy kick, while the cola and syrup sweeten the drink, and citrus juices cut through to brighten the overall flavor profile. Rate It Print Additional reporting by Katie Rosenhouse Katie Rosenhouse Follow us Katie Rosenhouse is a pastry chef and food writer with over 15 years of experience in the culinary arts. She's worked as a pastry chef in some of the finest restaurants in New York City, as a culinary instructor, and as a recipe developer. learn more