The Long Island Iced Tea: Five Spirits, One Dangerous Reputation

While classic cocktails often rely on a handful of carefully selected ingredients. The Long Island Iced Tea brings together vodka, white rum, tequila, gin and triple sec in a single glass. It might seem like a strange combination, but when prepared correctly the result is a surprisingly harmonious drink. So, where did it come from?

There are two competing stories surrounding its origin, both rooted in American history. One account dates back to the 1920s in a community called Long Island in Kingsport, Tennessee. An early version is said to have been created during the Prohibition by a bootlegger known as "Old Man Bishop", using several types of liquor and maple syrup. His son Ransom Bishop believed to have refined the recipe in the 1940s by introducing citrus and cola.

However, the more widely recognized origin story belongs to Robert "Rosebud" Butt, who claims to have invented the drink in 1972 while working at the Oak Beach Inn Long Island New York. Butt entered a bartender competition in which participants had to incorporate triple sec into an original cocktail. His creation combined vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec and sour mix, finished with a splash of cola. The result was a drink that quickly became a hit with the energetic nightlife and party culture of the 1970s and 1980s. Eventually, its popularity spread far beyond Long Island, establishing it as a staple on cocktail menus around the world.

The Long Island Iced Tea is often dismissed by the modern cocktail scene as little more than an uncomplicated party drink. However, it demonstrates an interesting approach to flavor balancing. The citrus and cola bring together the botanical character of gin, the earthy notes of tequila, the clean profile of vodka, the sweetness of white and triple sec. It may look like an ordinary glass of iced tea, but there is certainly nothing ordinary about what goes into it.

Recipe:

15ml Vodka

15ml White rum

15ml Silver tequila

15ml Gin

15ml Triple sec

25ml Fresh lemon juice

Top up with coke

Method:

1. Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice.

2. Add the vodka, white rum, tequila, gin, triple sec and lemon juice.

3. Stir gently to combine and chill the ingredients.

4. Add a top up with coke to give the cocktail its characteristic iced tea appearance.

5. Stir gently and garnish with lemon wheel.