Top 5 Long Island Iced Tea Cocktails - Easy Cocktails

Summary

In this episode of The Educated Barfly, the host demonstrates how to make a classic Long Island Iced Tea and four popular variations: the AMF, Long Beach Iced Tea, Tokyo Tea, and Texas Tea. While explaining the cocktail's origins, the host debunks the myth that Long Island Iced Tea is overly alcoholic. The video features step-by-step instructions for each drink, with detailed ingredient breakdowns and tips on balancing flavors. The host also discusses different liqueurs and garnishes, ending with a teaser for future episodes featuring more variations.

Takeaways

• 🍹 The Long Island Iced Tea was created by Robert 'Rosebud' Butt in 1972 at Oak Beach Inn, Long Island.
• 🤔 Despite having four different spirits, the cocktail is not necessarily more alcoholic than a normal cocktail when made responsibly.
• 📏 The standard recipe includes equal parts of gin, vodka, light rum, and tequila, with Cointreau as a substitute for triple sec.
• 🍋 The cocktail starts with a lemon sour base of lemon juice and simple syrup.
• 🧊 It is traditionally served in a 12-ounce highball glass with a responsible pour of spirits.
• 💧 Cointreau is preferred over Curaçao because it is drier and less sweet, complementing the simple syrup and lemon juice.
• 🥤 The drink is given an 'iced tea' appearance by floating a small amount of cola on top.
• 🌐 The AMF (Adios Mother F***er) variation replaces Cointreau with blue Curaçao for a blue tint.
• 🍓 The Long Beach Iced Tea variation substitutes cranberry juice for cola.
• 🍈 The Tokyo Tea variation uses Midori, a melon-flavored liqueur, in place of Cointreau.
• 🥃 The Texas Tea variation replaces Cointreau with bourbon, giving it a different flavor profile.

Q & A

Who is credited with creating the Long Island Iced Tea?

Robert 'Rosebud' is credited with creating the Long Island Iced Tea at the Oak Beach Inn bar in Long Island in 1972.

Why do people often think the Long Island Iced Tea is very alcoholic?

People often think the Long Island Iced Tea is very alcoholic because it contains four different spirits. However, when made responsibly, with half an ounce of each spirit, it doesn't contain much more alcohol than a normal cocktail.

What is the significance of using Cointreau instead of Curaçao in the traditional recipe?

Cointreau is used instead of Curaçao because it is a neutral grain spirit macerated with oranges, resulting in a drier and less sweet finish compared to Curaçao, which is brandy-based and would add more body and sweetness to the cocktail.

What is the purpose of adding Coke to the Long Island Iced Tea?

Adding Coke to the Long Island Iced Tea is to give it the appearance of iced tea, as the color of Coke resembles that of tea.

What is the difference between the traditional Long Island Iced Tea and the Adios Motherf***** (AMF)?

The difference between the traditional Long Island Iced Tea and the AMF is the addition of half an ounce of blue Curaçao in the AMF, which tints the drink blue.

What is the Long Beach Iced Tea and how is it different from the traditional recipe?

The Long Beach Iced Tea replaces the Coke in the traditional recipe with cranberry juice, giving it a different flavor and color.

What is the Tokyo Tea and how does it vary from the original Long Island Iced Tea?

The Tokyo Tea replaces Cointreau with Midori, a melon-flavored liqueur, giving the cocktail a green color and a unique melon flavor.

What is the Texas Tea and why is it named so?

The Texas Tea replaces Cointreau with bourbon, hence the name. It is named Texas Tea because of the use of bourbon, which is associated with Texas, although the video suggests it could also be called a Kentucky tea due to the association of bourbon with Kentucky.

What is the significance of using Mexican Coke in the Long Island Iced Tea?

Mexican Coke is used in the Long Island Iced Tea because it contains natural sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, making it a 'healthier' version of Coke.

What are some other variations of the Long Island Iced Tea mentioned in the script?

The script mentions at least five other variations of the Long Island Iced Tea, but they are not detailed in the provided transcript and may be discussed in another episode.

What is the recommended way to garnish the Tokyo Tea?

The Tokyo Tea is garnished simply with a lemon wedge, which complements the drink's appearance without overpowering the unique green color.