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.
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!
Great Pitcher Drink
Long Island Iced Tea is a favorite in our house for pool parties and gameday celebrations. One of the reasons I love serving it is that it is the perfect make-ahead pitcher drink. Being able to make it and let everyone serve themselves takes the pressure off when I am hosting everyone at my house.
Another pitcher cocktail that I love to make when I am serving a crowd is my Apple Cider Margarita. It is the perfect Thanksgiving cocktail!
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 an 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
How to Make a Pitcher of John’s Long Island Iced Tea
Step 1: Pour ice into a large pitcher.
Step 2: Add the Vodka, White Rum, Triple Sec, Tequila and Gin to the pitcher.
Step 3: Add the Sour Mix and Cola to the pitcher.
Step 4: Stir and strain into ice-filled glasses.
Tips
- 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.
- If you want to make your cocktail less potent, add a little more cola.
- Add a slice of lemon to your glass for a citrusy garnish.
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.
I love to get your feedback, so if you try this Long Island Iced Tea or any other recipe on this website, please leave me a comment below. I hope you enjoy our recipes, and I look forward to hearing from you!
You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more recipes your family will love!
Long Island Iced Tea Pitcher Recipe for a Party
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Ingredients
- ½ cup Vodka
- ½ cup White Rum
- ¾ cup Tequila
- ¼ cup Gin
- ½ cup Triple Sec
- 1½ 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
Too good … dangerous
This recipe is great! I’m not big on gin so I substituted it for even more tequila and OH MAN IS THAT GOOD!!
It certainly is a good drink! Thank you for letting me know how much you like it!
Love your sight & recipes
Thank you Susan! I really appreciate you telling me that!
Your food looks wonderful!! Do you have a restaurant that you serve the public? If so, where are you located?
Thank you.
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.