Latest update August 13th, 2017 2:32 PM
A Quick Look at the History and Popularity of the Long Island Iced Tea
While not necessarily a “classic” cocktail in the truest definition of the term, the Long Island Iced Tea has certainly earned a classic-esque status in the world of mixed drinks. It did not really start to become popular until, maybe the late 1970s but there are only two origin stories of this very popular bar/club scene mixed drink.
The first origin story says that a man named Robert “Rosebud” Butt claims he invented the drink as a potential entry in a contest to create a new drink that would include Triple Sec. This was in 1972, when Butt worked at the Oak Beach Inn, on Long Island.
However, there is another story that contends a similar drink was invented during the US Prohibition of the 1920s by someone called “Old Man Bishop,” who lived in a community by the name of Long Island, in Kingsport, Tennessee. This drink consisted of the base liquors (vodka, gin, rum, and tequila) as well as whiskey and maple syrup.
All that said, the École du Bar de Montréal basic Long Island Iced Tea has come to be known by this recipe:
Combine the following in a collins (highball) glass and top with cola; garnish with a lemon wedge:
- ½ oz light rum
- ½ oz gin
- ½ oz vodka
- ½ oz tequila
- ½ oz triple sec
- 1 oz sour mix
While this drink is already pretty tasty (as you can’t really taste the alcohol) it more resembles an iced tea in look than in flavor. However, the somewhat mild essence of spirit belies a cocktail with quite a punch.
And the Long Island Iced Tea has become such a favorite that many other adventurous folk have attempted to slightly alter the recipe to make differently-flavored variations on what is now a modern classic:
- Long Beach Iced Tea substitutes cranberry juice for the cola
- Miami Iced Tea substitutes peach schnapps for tequila and a cranberry juice and lemon-lime soda mix for the cola
- Electric Iced Tea substitutes blue curacao for the triple sec and lemon-lime soda for the cola
- Black Opal Iced Tea substitutes Chambord (raspberry liqueur) and lemon-lime soda for the cola
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