Long Island Iced Tea Pitcher Recipe for a Party

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My husband John’s Long Island Iced Tea pitcher recipe is our go-to party starter. This pitcher of Long Island Iced Tea is smooth, strong, and perfect for winding down the week or serving a crowd. It’s easy to make, dangerously tasty, and always a hit. Want something a little lighter? Try our Tequila and Grapefruit Cocktail, Italian Margarita, or my favorite after-dinner drink, the Sicilian Kiss.

A glass of Long Island Iced Tea next to a pitcher, sitting on a poolside table.

If you’ve never had a Long Island iced tea, I must warn you: this is not tea at all. This cocktail is a combination of 5 liquors, a little sour mix, and a splash of cola for color. Like I said, no tea! I highly recommend that you consume Long Island iced tea with caution because it goes down very easily and can sneak up on you!

Cocktail Origins

Long Island iced tea is so popular that there is a feud between New York and Tennessee as to the origins of the cocktail. One claim is that a man named Robert “Rosebud” Butt, created it as entry in a contest while working at the Oak Beach Inn in Long Island, NY. The other claim is that it was invented in Long Island, an island in the Holston River in Kingston, Tennessee during the prohibition, by an illegal liquor distiller named Charlie “old man” Bishop.

There are differences between the two versions of the drink. Most notably, the use of whisky and honey in Bishop’s recipe. I am sure that both are good, but John’s Long Island Iced Tea is hands down my favorite. In fact, his version of this very popular cocktail is so good that he gets requests to make it at every party.

Long Island Iced Tea Ingredients

Bottles of liquor, coke and sour mix on a counter.

How to Make a Pitcher of John’s Long Island Iced Tea

A clear pitcher with ice being poured into it.

Step 1: Pour ice into a large pitcher.

A pitcher of ice and clear liquids.

Step 2: Add the Vodka, White Rum, Triple Sec, Tequila and Gin to the pitcher.

A clear Pitcher with a yellow liquid and ice in it.

Step 3: Add the Sour Mix and Cola to the pitcher.

A pitcher of long island iced tea being stirred with a long spoon.

Step 4: Stir and strain into ice-filled glasses.

Tips

  1. The Long Island Iced Tea can be made ahead. Follow the steps above, then strain the cocktail into an empty pitcher and refrigerate it to keep it cold until you’re ready to serve. This will prevent the ice from melting and diluting your beverage any further.
  2. If you want to make your cocktail less potent, add a little more cola.
  3. Add a slice of lemon to your glass for a citrusy garnish.
A pticher of Iced tea on a table with a glass and lemon slices.

What to Serve with Long Island Iced Tea

This is such a versatile cocktail that you can serve it with almost anything. If you are looking for some appetizers that pair well with the citrusy notes in this refreshing drink you will want to start to with my Easy Honey Grilled Shrimp and Easy Gorgonzola and Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta.

For a gameday get together, try my Oven Barbecue Chicken Wings and Easy Super Good Guacamole.

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A glass of Long Island Iced Tea next to a pitcher, sitting on a poolside table.

Long Island Iced Tea Pitcher Recipe for a Party

Enza Whiting
Long Island Iced Tea is the king of the cocktails! This is one easy-going cocktail, but don't let it fool you, this is one potent drink. A mixture of 5 spirits blended with sour mix and cola makes a perfect adult iced tea. This pitcher recipe is perfect for your next party.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Cocktail, Happy Hour, Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 246 kcal

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Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup Vodka
  • ½ cup White Rum
  • ¾ cup Tequila
  • ¼ cup Gin
  • ½ cup Triple Sec
  • cups Sour Mix
  • 1 cup Cola such as Coke or Pepsi
  • 1 cup Ice

Instructions
 

  • Put the ice in a pitcher. Add all of the ingredients to the ice and stir well.
  • Fill glasses with ice and pour the Long Island Iced Tea over the ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge if desired.

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition

Serving: 1drinkCalories: 246kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 0.04gFat: 0.05gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.004gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 6mgSugar: 7gCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe is great! I’m not big on gin so I substituted it for even more tequila and OH MAN IS THAT GOOD!!

  2. Your food looks wonderful!! Do you have a restaurant that you serve the public? If so, where are you located?

    Thank you.

    1. Hi Rita! Thank you for your kind words! No I don’t have a restaurant. I am just a home cook who decided to start sharing my families favorite recipes (especially my mom’s). I hope you enjoy the recipes and follow me. If you try any of them please let me know how you like them.

5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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