Potent to the T

One of the world’s most popular cocktails has four different and disparate spirits slugging it out in a single glass

The Long Island Iced Tea was popularised in the 1970s and remains a beloved drink. It’s possible the cocktail was born out of Prohibition when thirsty scofflaws wanted to disguise their booze. It’s also possible the drink sprung up in the ’70s at a bar in Long Island, New York.

On paper, the Long Island Iced Tea is one hot mess of a drink. Four different, and disparate spirits slug it out in a single glass, along with triple sec, lemon juice and cola. But it’s also one of the world’s most popular cocktails.

This drink has been quite a mystery, especially when it comes to the mix of liquors used and it is known to have evolved with time. Although there are numerous versions of the Long Island Iced Tea, it essentially consists of an equal quantity of vodka, tequila, white rum, gin and lime juice topped with an aerated beverage, energy drink or cranberry juice. Since it has several liquors mixed in it, it is often considered potent.

The Long Island Iced Tea tastes like cola with lemon and orange flavouring added, but it hides a powerful wallop of alcohol that can sneak up on you. This drink is nonetheless delicious and refreshing.

Ingredients

20 ml vodka

20 ml white rum

20 ml white tequila

20 ml gin

15 Triple Sec

30 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

Cola to taste (about 1/2 cup)

Lemon wedges

Method

Fill a shaker with ice.

Add the vodka, rum, tequila, gin, Triple Sec, and lemon juice.

Shake it vigorously until the shaker gets frosty on the outside.

Pour into a highball glass and top it off with cola.

Garnish with lemon wedges or drop some lemon rounds into it, and serve.