Making the age-old, classic Long Island Iced Tea is easier than it seems. In fact, if you want to be known as the bartender of your group, mastering this cocktail is the perfect place to start. The Long Island Iced Tea (LIIT) is a popular alcoholic, highball drink often made with vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin, and a splash of cola. It originated in the 1970s in the United States and has since then been quite a staple in parties all around.
This cocktail has a considerably high volume of alcohol but surprisingly tastes much like iced tea, hence its name. It's remarkably smooth and sweet, considering the mixture of different spirits that go into it. You might be thinking, such an intensive list of diverse ingredients, how does it taste so mild? The trick lies in the addition of lemon juice and a dash of cola, which lend the drink its characteristic colour and flavor that is reminiscent of Iced tea.
Balancing the drink to perfection requires attention to every little detail. There's an advantage to having so many ingredients in one drink. It's adaptable. If you like your drinks stronger, use less sweet and sour and more liquor. If you prefer a refreshing, mild beverage, dial up the non-alcoholic ingredients.
One thing that you must take care of while preparing a cocktail is to use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This significantly improves the taste of your drink. For this cocktail, the star ingredient is lemon. Adding freshly squeezed lemon juice will brighten up your LIIT. It's worth the additional effort, believe me.
Another critical point is to have chilled ingredients. This will ensure that your drink doesn't become watered down quickly when you add ice. Speaking of ice, it's recommended to use large cube shaped ones, as they melt slower. Remember, less dilution equals a better tasting drink.
A classic LIIT uses equal parts of all clear liquors, so you don't have to worry much about measurements. However, once you get the hang of it, don't hesitate to experiment with proportions you like. In the end, the best cocktail is the one you enjoy drinking the most.
Cheers to that! Let’s dive into the classic recipe of Long Island Iced Tea.