A Long Island Iced Tea is five white spirits — gin, vodka, tequila, white rum, and triple sec — shaken up with fresh lemon juice and finished with a splash of cola. There’s no tea in it, and it doesn’t taste like tea. What it does taste like, when the proportions are right, is a cold citrusy drink that happens to be very strong — which is exactly why it’s worth knowing how to make a batch at home rather than paying bar prices for one.
The technique that matters
The only technique worth focusing on here is how you add the cola. The spirits and lemon juice can be stirred together without any drama, but cola poured straight down from above will foam up, go flat fast, and leave you with a watery drink by the time you carry it to the table. Pour it slowly down the inside wall of the glass — the fizz stays intact, the drink stays cold longer, and you don’t lose half your volume to foam. When you’re making multiple rounds for guests, set up all the glasses with ice and spirits first, then go down the line adding cola to each one just before serving. That way nobody gets a flat drink while they wait.
Mistakes to avoid
- Measuring by eye when making several drinks. A small over-pour on each spirit across five bottles adds up fast. Use a jigger every time, especially when you’re distracted by conversation. The balance falls apart quickly if one spirit dominates.
- Using a glass that’s too small. A standard rocks glass works for one drink, but if you’re scaling up into a pitcher for a group, don’t try to squeeze the full recipe into a short glass — you’ll lose cola volume and the drink ends up unpleasantly spirit-forward. A highball or a large pitcher gives the cola room to do its job.
- Making a pitcher too far in advance. You can pre-mix the five spirits and lemon juice ahead of time and refrigerate that base, but don’t add the cola until you’re ready to pour. Cola added to a pitcher an hour before serving will be completely flat by the time guests arrive.
- Skipping the ice fill. A half-filled glass of ice melts faster and dilutes the drink more than a glass packed full. Fill the glass completely — the drink stays colder and actually tastes better longer.
- Reaching for top-shelf bottles. Mid-range spirits are the right call here. With five different spirits in the glass, the subtle character of an expensive single bottle disappears entirely. Save the good stuff for drinks where it can actually be tasted.
Leftovers and make-ahead
A finished Long Island Iced Tea doesn’t keep — once the cola is in, drink it immediately. What you can do is mix the five spirits and lemon juice together in a sealed jar or bottle and refrigerate that base for up to 48 hours. When guests arrive, just pack glasses with ice, pour 3 fl oz of the base per glass, and top with fresh cola. Skip the garnish — not worth the extra dish when you’re pouring for a crowd. If you want to scale the base for a group, multiply each spirit and the lemon juice by the number of servings and store in a large mason jar or small pitcher in the fridge until needed.
Long Island Iced Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ fl oz gin
- ½ fl oz vodka
- ½ fl oz tequila (blanco/silver)
- ½ fl oz white rum
- ½ fl oz triple sec
- 1 fl oz fresh lemon juice about 2 tbsp
- 2 fl oz cola or to taste
- 1 slice lemon slice for garnish
- 1 serving ice cubes as needed
Instructions
- Fill a rocks glass (or highball glass) to the top with ice cubes.
- Pour the gin, vodka, tequila, white rum, and triple sec over the ice.
- Add the fresh lemon juice and stir gently with a bar spoon to combine.
- Top with cola — pour slowly down the side of the glass to preserve the fizz.
- Garnish with a lemon slice on the rim of the glass. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Common questions
Can I make a pitcher of Long Island Iced Tea for a party?
Yes — mix the spirits and lemon juice in a pitcher ahead of time and refrigerate, then add cola per glass just before serving. Adding cola to the whole pitcher in advance will leave it flat before anyone gets a drink.
Do I really need all five spirits, or can I leave one out?
You need all five — dropping one changes the drink significantly and you’ll notice the gap. The equal split of five spirits at half an ounce each is what keeps any single flavor from taking over.
What’s the best cola to use?
A standard cola like Coca-Cola or Pepsi works well. Diet cola is a reasonable swap with minimal taste difference given how much spirit is in the glass — it cuts roughly 25 calories per drink.
How strong is this drink compared to a regular cocktail?
It’s significantly stronger than most single-spirit cocktails — you’re drinking 2.5 fl oz of spirits per glass, which is roughly equivalent to two and a half standard shots. Drink it slowly and don’t make a second one quickly.
Can I use lime juice instead of lemon juice?
Yes, lime juice works as a straight swap and gives the drink a slightly sharper, more tart edge. Some people use half lemon and half lime, which splits the difference nicely.
