Long Island Iced Tea.
The ultimate multi-spirit cocktail — five white spirits (vodka, gin, rum, tequila and triple sec) balanced by fresh lemon juice and topped with cola that mimics the look of iced tea. Deceptively easy to drink given its high alcohol content, making it one of the most potent classic cocktails.
Backstory & Character
"Created in 1972 by Robert "Rosebud" Butt at the Oak Beach Inn in Babylon, New York, during an inter-bar cocktail competition that required contestants to use triple sec. The drink reached the height of its popularity in the early 1980s — by 1985 The New York Times reported it was "sweeping the Island's bars as well as watering spots across the country." Its iced tea appearance has fuelled speculation of earlier Prohibition-era origins, though Butt's version remains the most documented and credible."
The Method
Step by Step
Combine vodka, gin, white rum, tequila, triple sec and fresh lemon juice in a shaker with ice. Shake briefly — 8–10 seconds — to chill without over-diluting. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top with cola; the dark liquid bleeds through to give the characteristic iced tea color. Garnish with a lemon slice on the rim.