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Long Island Iced Tea Recipe

This recipe outlines the creation of a classic Long Island Iced Tea, a robust cocktail featuring a blend of vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, and sour mix, topped with cola. It's a quick-to-assemble drink, served over ice, known for its high alcohol content and refreshingly complex profile, resembling an iced tea in appearance.
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Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 people
Course: lunch/dinner
Cuisine: world
Calories: 297.3
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 to 1-1/4 cups ice cubes
  • 1 ounce vodka
  • 1/2 to 1 ounce tequila
  • 1 ounce light rum
  • 1 ounce sour mix
  • 1 ounce triple sec
  • 1/2 ounce cola

Equipment

  • 1 Highball Glass For serving the cocktail
  • 1 Jigger For accurate measurement of spirits and mixers
  • 1 Bar Spoon For gently stirring ingredients
  • 1 Ice Scoop or Tongs For hygienic handling of ice

Method
 

  1. Fill a highball glass generously with fresh ice cubes.
  2. Measure and pour 1 ounce of vodka into the glass.
  3. Add 1/2 to 1 ounce of tequila, 1 ounce of light rum, and 1 ounce of triple sec.
  4. Pour in 1 ounce of sour mix.
  5. Gently stir all ingredients together with a bar spoon to combine thoroughly.
  6. Top the mixture with 1/2 ounce of cola.
  7. Garnish with a lemon wedge or slice, if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

1. Quality of Ingredients: While a potent drink, using decent quality spirits and a fresh, well-balanced sour mix (ideally homemade with fresh lemon/lime juice and simple syrup) significantly elevates the experience. Avoid overly sweet or artificial sour mixes.2. Balance is Key: The Long Island Iced Tea is known for its strength. Adjust the sour mix and cola to achieve a harmonious balance of sweet, sour, and boozy, rather than just masking the alcohol. Taste as you go.3. Ice Matters: Use plenty of fresh, solid ice cubes. This chills the drink quickly and dilutes it slowly, preventing it from becoming watery too fast.4. Garnish: A lemon wedge or slice adds a crucial aromatic lift and visual appeal, complementing the drink's profile.