The Best Long Island Iced Tea Recipe

Here's your comprehensive guide to making the best Long Island Iced Tea, complete with images and answers to your burning questions!

This recipe aims for a balanced and delicious Long Island Iced Tea, incorporating your specific requests for gomme syrup and precise measurements.

Long Island Iced Tea Ingredients:

• 15 ml Vodka
• 15 ml Gin
• 15 ml White Rum
• 15 ml Tequila (Blanco or Silver recommended)
• 15 ml 1 oz gomme syrup (approximately 30 ml, we'll adjust the lemon juice)
• 7.5 ml 1/2 oz triple sec (approximately 15 ml)
• 22.5 ml Fresh Lemon Juice (adjusting for the sweetness of gomme)
• Cola, for topping
• Lemon wedges, for garnish

Long Island Iced Tea Ingredients Breakdown:

• 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Gin
• 1/2 oz White Rum
• 1/2 oz Tequila (Blanco or Silver recommended)
• 1 oz gomme syrup
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (adjusting for the sweetness of gomme)
• Cola, for topping
• Lemon wedges, for garnish

Top Shelf Long Island Iced Tea Ingredients:

For a top-shelf version, simply use premium brands of each of the base spirits. This can significantly elevate the flavor profile.

Long Island Iced Tea Alcohol Percentage:

The alcohol percentage of a Long Island Iced Tea is quite high due to the multiple spirits involved. Typically, it can range from 22% to 30% ABV (Alcohol By Volume) or even higher depending on the exact proportions and the proof of the individual liquors. This is significantly stronger than a typical cocktail or glass of wine.

Instructions:

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

• Vodka, Gin, White Rum, Tequila, Gomme Syrup, Triple Sec, fresh lemons, and cola. You'll also need a jigger, shaker (optional, but recommended for chilling), and a highball glass.

Step 2: Combine the Spirits, Gomme Syrup, Triple Sec, and Lemon Juice in a Shaker

• Measure and pour 15 ml (or 1/2 oz) each of vodka, gin, white rum, and tequila into your shaker (or highball glass).
• Add 30 ml (or 1 oz) of gomme syrup.
• Add 15 ml (or 1/2 oz) of triple sec.
• Add 22.5 ml (or 3/4 oz) of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Step 3: Add Ice

• Fill your shaker with ice.

Step 4: Shake Well

• Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds until well-chilled.

Step 5: Fill a Highball Glass with Ice

Step 6: Strain the Mixture into the Ice-Filled Glass

• If you mixed directly in the glass, just ensure it's filled with ice at this point.

Step 7: Top with a Splash of Cola

• The splash of cola gives the Long Island Iced Tea its characteristic color and a hint of flavor. Don't overdo it; a small amount is all you need.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

• Garnish with a lemon wedge on the rim of the glass. Serve immediately and enjoy responsibly!

Long Island Iced Tea Variations:

There are many fun twists on the classic Long Island Iced Tea:

• Long Beach Iced Tea: Substitute cranberry juice for the cola.
• Tokyo Iced Tea (or Midori Iced Tea): Substitute Midori melon liqueur for the triple sec and lemon juice, and top with lemon-lime soda instead of cola. This gives it a vibrant green color.
• Electric Lemonade: Substitute blue curaçao for the triple sec and lemon-lime soda for the cola.
• Peach Long Island: Use peach schnapps instead of triple sec and peach iced tea instead of cola.
• Texas Iced Tea: Add a splash of whiskey or bourbon to the standard recipe.

Answers to Your Questions:

What is in a Long Island?

A Long Island Iced Tea typically contains vodka, gin, white rum, tequila, triple sec (or another orange liqueur), a sour mix (traditionally lemon juice and simple syrup, but in this recipe, we're using fresh lemon juice and gomme syrup), and a splash of cola.

How many types of alcohol are in a Long Island?

There are generally four distinct types of base alcohol in a traditional Long Island Iced Tea: vodka, gin, white rum, and tequila. Triple sec is also an alcoholic liqueur, bringing the total to five alcoholic components.

Is LIIT the strongest cocktail?

While the Long Island Iced Tea is undeniably a strong cocktail due to the combination of multiple spirits, it's difficult to definitively say if it's the strongest. There are other cocktails with high alcohol content, and the strength can vary based on the specific recipe and proportions used. However, LIIT is certainly among the most potent and is known for its high alcohol content.

How many shots are in a Long Island?

Using standard US measurements (1 shot = 1.5 oz), the combined base spirits (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and triple sec in a traditional recipe) in a Long Island Iced Tea would typically total around 2.5 shots of 80-proof liquor. Our recipe here uses 2 oz of base spirits and 0.5 oz of triple sec, totaling approximately 1.67 standard shots of base spirits plus the liqueur. However, it's crucial to remember that the overall volume of the drink is much larger due to the sour mix and cola. The perceived strength comes from the variety and combination of these liquors.

Enjoy making and sipping your Long Island Iced Tea responsibly! Remember that due to its high alcohol content, it's best enjoyed in moderation.