A Long Island Iced Tea is a mixed drink served in a highball glass and made with, among other ingredients, vodka, gin, tequila, and rum. It’s a popular drink throughout the world. Long Islanders certainly love it, but they are not alone. Since the 1990s the drink has gained worldwide acceptance. But despite its popularity, the origins of the Long Island Iced Tea are steeped in mystery and probably will always be so.
Although we may never know the true story of the drink’s creation, with a little sleuthing some interesting possibilities arise.
One of these possibilities is that the drink was created in the 1920s in the midst of the glory days of prohibition. Bartenders became experts at disguising alcoholic beverages to avoid the law. This common practice very well could have produced the innocent looking “iced tea.”
But perhaps, the Long Island Iced Tea came to be instead, in the place it takes its name from. Urban legend says that during the 1950s the drink was created by house wives mixing a little liquor from the variety of bottles in their liquor cabinets. Since the drink looks like iced tea, that’s what everyone thought they were drinking.
The most widely accepted story of the Long Island Iced Tea’s origin is that it was invented in 1972 by a bartender at the Oak Beach Inn in the Hamptons named Robert Butt. Rosebud always made sure it was fizzing when he served it and always used Jamaican Rum. He specified that white rum never be used as the rum is the ingredients that give the drink it’s signature color.
Whatever the origin of the Long Island Iced Tea, one thing is certain, the mixed drink reached its height of popularity in early 90’s and is now a well known drink nationwide. It has earned its place as a specialty drink on menus all over the world.
So why not try it for yourself? Here are just a couple of the many popular Long Island Iced Tea recipes:
Long Island Iced Tea
1 part vodka
1 part 1800® Tequila
1 part rum
1 part gin
1 part triple sec
1 1/2 parts sweet and sour mix
1 splash Coca-Cola®
Mix ingredients together over ice in a glass. Pour into a shaker and give one brisk shake. Pour back into the glass and make sure there is a touch of fizz at the top. Garnish with lemon.
3-Mile Long Island Iced Tea
1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Light rum
1/2 oz Tequila
1/2 oz Vodka
Coca-Cola
Sweet and sour
1-2 dash Bitters
1 wedge Lemon
Mixing instructions:
Fill 14oz glass with ice and alcohol. Fill 2/3 glass with cola and remainder with sweet & sour. Top with dash of bitters and lemon wedge.
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