Long Island Iced Tea Recipe + Video
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This Long Island Iced Tea Recipe has that classic sweet, citrusy, smooth flavor with a splash of cola to finish it off. It tastes like a refreshing tea, but mixes like a true cocktail with a perfect balance of spirits. This one has been perfected in our kitchen for over a decade, shaken and served at parties, holidays, and backyard evenings. It’s cold, bold, and always a crowd favorite, and with 5 types of liquor, this drink really packs a punch! Watch how to make a Long Island Iced Tea with our recipe video.
Table of Contents
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS LONG ISLAND RECIPE
- Tastes like a refreshing lemon iced tea but mixes like a real cocktail.
- Perfected over more than a decade of home mixology.
- Made with equal parts spirits, plus fresh lemon juice and a cola topper.
- Plenty of variations to suit your fancy.
- Easy to batch, easy to sip, and always a party hit.
RECIPE VIDEO
Want to see how to make a Long Island Iced Tea? Watch our quick recipe video 👇
Long Island Iced Tea Recipe
Chad went through a full mixologist phase years ago, which was the beginning of us creating over 100 cocktail recipes. This is THE recipe that stuck around long after the shakers and pourers settled.
Over time, it became the “house cocktail” because it is simple, reliable, and dangerously smooth. It tastes like a tall glass of lemon iced tea, only brighter and a whole lot more fun!
It’s no wonder that the Long Island Iced Tea is one of the top 5 requested cocktails in the world. It’s everything good cocktails should be: delicious, refreshing, and easy to make!
Friends always smile when they see this one coming together, though with 5 spirits in one tall glass, this cocktail does require responsible drinking. 😉
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Liquor: Equal parts gin, tequila, vodka, rum, and triple sec create that signature Long Island flavor without any one spirit overpowering the others.
Clear spirits blend cleanly, so avoid flavored varieties unless you want to change the character of the drink. - Fresh Lemon Juice: Gives the drink its crisp, bright finish. Bottled juice works in a pinch but won’t taste as fresh.
- Simple Syrup: Sweetens the cocktail and balances the citrus. You can use honey syrup or agave for a softer sweetness.
- Cola: Adds color and effervescence. Use your favorite brand for this Long Island Iced Tea recipe… diet cola works too!
VARIATIONS
Lighter Version: Increase cola to 3 or 4 ounces for a softer, more tea-like drink.
Texas Tea: Add ½ ounce of whiskey to the shaker for a deeper, warmer variation.
Mixer-Free: Skip the simple syrup and cola. Instead, add ½ ounce of fresh orange juice and shake vigorously for a bright, crisp version.
Long Beach Iced Tea: Use cranberry juice instead of cola to give the drink a slightly fruity taste that is a bit more tart.
Miami Tea: Add peach schnapps and eliminate the tequila, then swap a lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7-Up for the cola.
Hawaiian Iced Tea: Leave out the cola and add pineapple juice.
Blue Long Island: Replace triple sec with blue curaçao for a vibrant blue cocktail with the same flavor.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
This mixed drink is typically made in a Collins glass, but any tall glass that can accommodate a straw will work.
Don’t forget a lemon wedge or spiral for garnish, then pair this Long Island Iced Tea recipe with snacks or a meal… to soak up all that alcohol!
Homemade potato chips, sticky chicken wings, and plenty of tacos are always crowd-pleasers. This cocktail goes really well with seafood too.
LONG ISLAND DRINK RECIPE FAQ
The mix of spirits and cola gives it the color of iced tea, even though there is no tea in it. As far as the “Long Island” part… no one knows for sure!
Yes, but it will taste sweeter and less bright. Fresh lemon juice gives the best flavor.
Add more cola or extra lemon juice to soften the alcohol edge.
Scale up this Long Island Iced Tea recipe using a large pitcher. Multiply each ingredient by 8 and stir with ice, then add cola right before serving.
And if you need to make a batch ahead of time, combine just the liquor in the pitcher and store it in the fridge.
Stir in the ice, lemon juice, and simple syrup before serving. Top off each glass with cola instead of mixing it in with everything else.
Chad perfected this Long Island drink recipe during his master mixologist phase, and we have been shaking it up for more than a decade.
The secret is equal parts spirits, fresh lemon juice, and a quick shake to chill everything without watering it down. Topping with just enough cola adds the iced tea color and the perfect hit of fizz.
After hundreds of pours over the years, this is the ratio that delivers the smoothest and most balanced Long Island every single time.
CHAD’S PRO TIPS
- No need for top-shelf liquor. Basically, if it’s in a glass bottle, then you’re fine.
- Make your ice from filtered water. Additives like chlorine can leave a lingering taste.
- Use plenty of ice in both the shaker and the glass. It keeps the drink cold and balanced.
- Fresh lemon juice makes a noticeable difference in this Long Island recipe.
- Shake until the shaker feels ice-cold. This ensures perfect dilution.
- Use a tall glass to leave enough room for the ice and cola without losing the classic color.
- Stir gently after adding cola so the fizz stays lively.
TOOLS NEEDED
- Cocktail Shaker: Use the kind with a built-in strainer. Otherwise, you’ll need one of those as well!
- Jigger: Essential for any well-stocked bar, this quickly and accurately measures liquids for making cocktails. In a pinch, liquid measuring cups will work as well.
- Citrus Juicer: For getting out every last drop.
- Tall Cocktail Glasses: Often called a Collins glass.
- Bar Spoon: Long and thin for easily (and gently) stirring around the ice.
- Small Knife & Cutting Board: For slicing the lemon garnish.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) THE QUICK VERSION
- A classic Long Island with equal parts spirits, fresh lemon juice, and a cola topper.
- Smooth, bright, and balanced—tastes like iced tea but mixes like a real cocktail.
- Perfected over more than a decade of home mixology.
- Five variations included: lighter, tea-shop, mixer-free, blue, and Texas Tea.
- Easy to batch, easy to sip, and always a party hit.
Long Island Iced Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 ounce gin
- 1/2 ounce tequila
- 1/2 ounce vodka
- 1/2 ounce white rum
- 1/2 ounce triple sec
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 2 ounces cola
- Ice
- Lemon wedge, for garnish
Instructions
- FILL SHAKER: Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Pour in 1/2 ounce gin, 1/2 ounce tequila, 1/2 ounce vodka, 1/2 ounce white rum, 1/2 ounce triple sec, 1/2 ounce simple syrup, and 1 ounce lemon juice
- SHAKE: Shake well until the shaker is frosty and the mixture is thoroughly chilled.
- STRAIN: Fill a tall cocktail glass with fresh ice. Strain the mixture into the glass.
- TOP: Add 2 ounces cola, then stir gently to combine.
- SERVE: Garnish with a lemon wedge and enjoy.
- (Watch the video in the recipe card for step-by-step mixing.)
Video
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published July 2013, updated and republished December 2025
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
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We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
So dangerous!
That it is; that it is!
If you use lime juice instead of lemon you get a better color and a nicer bite also i prefer dark rum to white to give it a bit more sweet and then you don't need the simple syrup ; )
If you use Lime juice instead of lemon you get a better bite and nicer color Also i prefer Dark Rum to white for a bit of sweet and then you don't need the simple syrup
Love a good Long Island! This looks like a fantastic recipe; I'll have to try it the next time I'm craving a cocktail.
If there is no tea in the drink, why does it taste like iced tea?
I've had Long Island Iced tea, and it really does taste like iced tea! How can it, when it doesn't even contain tea?
Wow, I haven't had one of these since my 20's. Sounds fabulous!
Keri
http://www.thestylestudiobykb.com
With the inclusion of tequila, this is technically a Texas Tea. No less delicious, mind you.
Too much Coke, you only need a splash for color.
Years ago, my Mom heard me order this drink, and thinking it was really ice tea, ordered it too. It had been a long, hot, tiring day, she was thirsty, ordered another, and wasn't much of a drinker…..'nuf said. The only time I saw my Mom drunk and she was so funny! Going to make one for the memory!
I only use 1/3 of an ounce of the Liquors, The dark rum and only a splash of coke, no syrup and serve in an Iced Collins glass.
By the "World" I take it you mean the USA?
Never too much of anything..I would add some fruit on a small skewer… I Love Long Island Iced Tea and it does almost, taste like Sweet Tea but just a bit…mmmmmmmmm
i dont think that i can make it like this anyway in my lifetime 🙁 it is saddening but i will do try all my best. thank you for teaching.
I order these at the bar but never knew how to make them, now I can stay home and make them myself! They taste so good!
The perfect drink for a summer evening. Highly recommend!
Hi Evelyn!
So glad you enjoyed!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn