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9 Easy Long Island Iced Tea Recipes for Your Next Party

Picture this: your friends are coming over, the music is ready, and you want to serve something that’ll make your party legendary. Enter the Long Island Iced Tea – the cocktail that looks innocent but packs a serious punch. If you’re searching for 9 Easy Long Island Iced Tea Recipes for Your Next Party, you’ve hit the jackpot! This iconic drink and its creative variations will transform any gathering into an unforgettable celebration.

Nine colorful cocktail glasses party sunburst overhead shot

The Long Island Iced Tea has been the life of the party since 1972, when bartender Robert “Rosebud” Butt invented it at the Oak Beach Inn in Suffolk County, Long Island, for a cocktail contest [2]. What makes this drink so special? It combines five different spirits yet somehow tastes refreshingly like iced tea. It’s the perfect conversation starter and crowd-pleaser that’ll have your guests asking for the recipe all night long.

Key Takeaways

  • Classic recipe foundation: The traditional Long Island Iced Tea uses equal parts of five spirits (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec) with lemon juice, simple syrup, and cola
  • Proper proportions matter: Professional bartenders recommend using only 2 oz. total of spirits to maintain balance and drinkability [3]
  • Endless variations: From the blue AMF to the fruity Long Beach, there are creative twists for every taste preference
  • Party-perfect drink: These recipes are designed for easy batch preparation and impressive presentation
  • Official recognition: The International Bartenders Association has standardized the classic recipe for consistent quality [1]

The Foundation: Understanding Long Island Iced Tea Basics

Before we dive into our 9 Easy Long Island Iced Tea Recipes for Your Next Party, let’s master the fundamentals. The beauty of this cocktail lies in its deceptive simplicity. Despite containing five different spirits, when properly balanced, it creates a smooth, refreshing drink that doesn’t taste overwhelmingly alcoholic.

The official IBA (International Bartenders Association) recipe calls for 15 ml each of vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, and Cointreau, plus 25 ml lemon juice, 30 ml simple syrup, topped with cola, and garnished with lemon [1]. This translates to about 1/2 oz. of each primary spirit combined with fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and cola as a topping [2].

Essential Ingredients for Success

The Five Spirits:

  • Vodka – Provides clean, neutral alcohol base
  • White Rum – Adds subtle sweetness and Caribbean flair
  • Gin – Contributes botanical complexity
  • Tequila – Brings earthy, agave notes
  • Triple Sec/Cointreau – Orange liqueur for citrus brightness

The Supporting Cast:

  • Fresh lemon juice – Never use bottled; fresh is essential
  • Simple syrup – Easy to make at home (1:1 sugar to water ratio)
  • Cola – The magic ingredient that creates the “iced tea” illusion
  • Ice – Lots of it for proper dilution and temperature

💡 Pro Tip: Bartenders recommend using only 2 oz. total of booze in a Long Island, contrary to some online recipes that suggest 4-5 oz. [3]. This ensures your guests can actually enjoy more than one drink!

Classic Long Island Iced Tea Recipes

1. The Original Long Island Iced Tea

Original long island iced tea in a highball glass on a wooden bar

This is where it all began – the recipe that started a cocktail revolution. Perfect for those who want to experience the authentic taste that made this drink famous.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz white rum
  • 1/2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz tequila
  • 1/2 oz triple sec
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • Cola (to top)
  • Lemon wedge for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Fill a highball glass with ice
  2. Add all spirits and triple sec
  3. Pour in lemon juice and simple syrup
  4. Stir gently to combine
  5. Top with cola until the glass is full
  6. Garnish with a lemon wedge
  7. Serve with a straw

2. Long Beach Iced Tea (The Pink Paradise)

Long beach iced tea pink cranberry cocktail in a tall glass

This fruity variation swaps cola for cranberry juice, creating a beautiful pink cocktail that’s perfect for summer parties and adds visual appeal to your drink lineup.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz white rum
  • 1/2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz tequila
  • 1/2 oz triple sec
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • Cranberry juice (to top)
  • Lime wheel for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Fill a tall glass with fresh ice
  2. Combine all five spirits in the glass
  3. Add lemon juice and simple syrup
  4. Stir well to blend flavors
  5. Top with cranberry juice for that signature pink color
  6. Garnish with a lime wheel
  7. Add a colorful straw for the full beach vibe

3. AMF (Adios Mother F***er) – The Blue Bomber

Amf blue bomber cocktail in a hurricane glass with garnish

Don’t let the name fool you – this blue beauty is a crowd favorite that replaces cola with blue curaçao and lemon-lime soda for a striking appearance and refreshing taste.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz white rum
  • 1/2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz tequila
  • 1/2 oz blue curaçao (instead of triple sec)
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • Lemon-lime soda (to top)
  • Cherry and pineapple for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Pack a hurricane glass with ice
  2. Pour in all spirits, ensuring the blue curaçao is well distributed
  3. Add lemon juice and simple syrup
  4. Stir to create an even blue color
  5. Top with lemon-lime soda
  6. Garnish with a cherry and pineapple wedge
  7. Serve immediately for best color presentation

Creative Variations for Your Party

4. Tokyo Tea (The Green Machine)

Tokyo tea green machine cocktail in a collins glass

This Asian-inspired twist uses melon liqueur instead of triple sec, creating a beautiful green cocktail that’s both visually stunning and deliciously unique.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz white rum
  • 1/2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz tequila
  • 1/2 oz melon liqueur (Midori)
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • Lemon-lime soda (to top)
  • Lime wheel for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Fill a Collins glass with ice cubes
  2. Add all spirits, featuring the melon liqueur for that distinctive green hue
  3. Pour in lime juice and simple syrup
  4. Stir gently to maintain the green color
  5. Top with lemon-lime soda
  6. Garnish with a lime wheel
  7. Serve with an eco-friendly paper straw

5. Texas Tea (Bourbon Country)

Texas tea bourbon cocktail in a large mason jar

Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the flavor! This variation adds bourbon for a Southern twist that bourbon lovers will absolutely adore.

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 oz vodka
  • 1/3 oz white rum
  • 1/3 oz gin
  • 1/3 oz tequila
  • 1/3 oz triple sec
  • 1/3 oz bourbon whiskey
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • Cola (to top)
  • Orange slice for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Use a large mason jar or tall glass filled with ice
  2. Add all six spirits for that extra Texas-sized kick
  3. Pour in lemon juice and simple syrup
  4. Stir well to incorporate the bourbon flavor
  5. Top with cola
  6. Garnish with an orange slice for a Southern touch
  7. Serve with a wide straw

6. Georgia Peach Tea (Southern Comfort)

Georgia peach tea southern cocktail with fresh peach slice

This peachy keen variation brings Southern charm to your party with the addition of peach schnapps and a hint of sweet tea flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz white rum
  • 1/2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz tequila
  • 1/2 oz peach schnapps
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz peach syrup
  • Sweet tea (to top)
  • Fresh peach slice for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Fill a tall glass with crushed ice
  2. Combine all spirits, highlighting the peach schnapps
  3. Add lemon juice and peach syrup
  4. Stir to blend the peachy flavors
  5. Top with chilled sweet tea
  6. Garnish with a fresh peach slice
  7. Add a mint sprig for extra Southern flair

Bold and Adventurous Recipes

7. Black Widow (Dark and Mysterious)

Black widow dark cocktail in a black glass with blackberries

This dramatic variation uses blackberry liqueur and dark rum to create a sophisticated, darker cocktail that’s perfect for evening parties.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz dark rum (instead of white)
  • 1/2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz tequila
  • 1/2 oz blackberry liqueur
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • Cola (to top)
  • Fresh blackberries for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Fill a black or dark-colored glass with ice
  2. Add all spirits, featuring the dark rum and blackberry liqueur
  3. Pour in lemon juice and simple syrup
  4. Stir to create a deep, rich color
  5. Top with cola
  6. Garnish with fresh blackberries on a cocktail pick
  7. Serve with a black straw for the full effect

8. Sex with Satan (The Fiery Temptation)

Don’t let the provocative name scare you – this spicy variation adds hot sauce and jalapeño for those who like their cocktails with a kick.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz white rum
  • 1/2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz tequila
  • 1/2 oz triple sec
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz agave syrup
  • 2-3 dashes hot sauce
  • Ginger beer (to top)
  • Jalapeño slice for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Fill a glass with ice and muddle one jalapeño slice at the bottom
  2. Add all spirits carefully
  3. Pour in lime juice, agave syrup, and hot sauce
  4. Stir well to distribute the heat evenly
  5. Top with spicy ginger beer
  6. Garnish with a jalapeño slice
  7. Warn your guests about the heat level!

9. Boston Tea Party (Revolutionary Flavor)

Boston tea party patriotic cocktail with apple and cinnamon

Our final recipe in this collection of 9 Easy Long Island Iced Tea Recipes for Your Next Party pays homage to American history with the addition of apple brandy and a patriotic presentation.

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 oz vodka
  • 1/3 oz white rum
  • 1/3 oz gin
  • 1/3 oz tequila
  • 1/3 oz triple sec
  • 1/3 oz apple brandy
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz maple syrup
  • Iced tea (to top)
  • Apple slice and cinnamon stick for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. Fill a large glass with ice cubes
  2. Add all spirits, featuring the apple brandy for that New England touch
  3. Pour in lemon juice and maple syrup
  4. Stir to incorporate the maple sweetness
  5. Top with chilled unsweetened iced tea
  6. Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick
  7. Serve with red, white, and blue straws for a patriotic touch

Pro Tips for Party Success

Batch Preparation Made Easy:

When hosting a party, making individual cocktails can be time-consuming. Here’s how to batch prepare these recipes:

  1. Pre-mix the spirits: Combine all five spirits in the correct ratios and store in a large pitcher
  2. Prepare simple syrups in advance: Make flavored syrups the day before your party
  3. Set up a DIY station: Let guests customize their own variations with different mixers and garnishes
  4. Use drink dispensers: For the classic version, pre-mix everything except the cola and let guests add their own

Essential Bar Tools:

  • Jigger for accurate measuring
  • Bar spoon for stirring
  • Muddler for fruit garnishes
  • Cocktail picks for garnishes
  • Plenty of ice and tall glasses

Making Your Party Memorable

The key to serving these 9 Easy Long Island Iced Tea Recipes for Your Next Party successfully lies in presentation and preparation. Create a cocktail menu card listing all nine variations with fun descriptions. Set up different stations for different color variations – it creates a visual spectacle that guests will love photographing and sharing.

Safety First:
Remember, these cocktails are stronger than they taste. Encourage responsible drinking by:

  • Providing plenty of food
  • Having non-alcoholic options available
  • Arranging safe transportation for guests
  • Limiting each guest to 1-2 of these potent cocktails

Garnish Game Strong:
The visual appeal of these drinks is half the fun. Invest in:

  • Fresh fruit for garnishes
  • Colorful straws and cocktail picks
  • Fun ice cube trays for shaped ice
  • LED stirrers for nighttime parties

Conclusion

These 9 Easy Long Island Iced Tea Recipes for Your Next Party offer something for every palate and party theme. From the classic original that started it all to creative variations like the fiery Sex with Satan and the patriotic Boston Tea Party, you now have a complete arsenal of crowd-pleasing cocktails.

The beauty of Long Island Iced Tea variations lies in their versatility and visual appeal. Each recipe tells a story and creates a unique experience for your guests. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, a birthday celebration, or just a casual get-together, these recipes will elevate your party game.

Your Next Steps:

  1. Choose 3-4 variations that match your party theme and guest preferences
  2. Shop for ingredients 1-2 days before your event
  3. Prep syrups and garnishes the day before
  4. Set up your bar station with all necessary tools and ingredients
  5. Create a fun menu showcasing your selected recipes
  6. Take photos of your colorful creations for social media

Remember, the best parties are about bringing people together. These cocktails are just the delicious catalyst for creating memories that will last long after the last glass is empty. Cheers to your next legendary party! 🍹

References

[1] Long Island Iced Tea – https://iba-world.com/iba-cocktail/long-island-iced-tea/
[2] Long Island Iced Tea – https://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Long-Island-Iced-Tea/
[3] 9 Long Island Iced Teas You Should Know How To Make – https://therealbarman.com/9-long-island-iced-teas-you-should-know-how-to-make/