Learn To Make A Long Island Iced Tea That's Guilt-Free

A little trashy, a little sweet, a lot of alcohol. Because it contains vodka, rum, tequila and gin, the Long Island Iced Tea is the guilty pleasure of cocktails but it doesn’t have to be. By cutting the added sugars of cola, simple syrup and orange liqueur (and using a highball instead of a pint glass) you can make a Long Island Iced Tea that’s practically guilt-free. Added plus? No sugar hangover the next day. Instead of blanco tequila and white rum, we use reposado and dark rum, both for their tea-adjacent color and rich flavor.

Long Island Iced Tea Ingredients

• 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Dark Rum
• 1/2 oz Reposado Tequila
• 1/2 oz Gin
• Splash of Fresh Lemon Juice
• Splash of Fresh Orange Juice
• Splash of Sparkling Water
• Ice

How To Make A Long Island Iced Tea

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add vodka, rum, tequila, gin, a splash of fresh lemon juice, and a splash of orange juice to the shaker.
3. Shake with gusto until cold, then strain the mix into a highball glass filled with ice
4. Top off with sparkling water.
5. Stir gently.
6. Garnish with a twist of lemon or slice of lime.

Remember, a chilled glass and quality ingredients ensure a smoother, more refreshing cocktail.

Long Island Iced Tea Riff

The Long Beach Iced Tea replaces OJ with cranberry juice. It's less sweet, and the added tartness holds up well against the core ingredients. On the flip-side, make a Texas Iced Tea by adding 1/2 oz. of bourbon and throw caution to the wind.