LONG ISLAND ICED TEA

The Long Island Iced Tea contains several spirits, but the goal is not to showcase one bottle. The ingredients should work together to create a single balanced drink.

For the vodka, choose a clean and neutral style that adds strength without competing with the other flavours.

A classic dry gin contributes subtle botanical notes and freshness.

For the tequila, Drinkero recommends a Blanco tequila with a clean agave character that remains noticeable without dominating.

A good white rum adds gentle sugarcane sweetness and rounds out the spirit blend.

For the orange component, use a quality orange liqueur to connect the citrus and spirit flavours.

Fresh lemon juice is essential for acidity, while cane sugar syrup softens the sharpness and balances the drink.

Finally, a small amount of Coca-Cola Original Taste adds colour, sweetness and carbonation without turning the cocktail into a simple cola highball.

Our recipe uses 15 ml each of vodka, gin, tequila, white rum and orange liqueur, creating an equal-parts spirit base.

To balance that mixture, we add 25 ml fresh lemon juice and 15 ml cane sugar syrup.

The lemon provides enough acidity to keep the cocktail bright, while the syrup softens the sharp edges of the spirit blend.

Only 30 ml Coca-Cola is used. The cola should finish the drink rather than dominate it. Too much cola can hide the citrus and spirits and turn the cocktail overly sweet.

The result should taste citrusy and refreshing first, with the strength of the spirits integrated rather than aggressive.

Despite its name, the Long Island Iced Tea contains no tea.

The modern version is generally associated with the United States and became widely popular during the 1970s. Its name comes from the finished drink's amber colour, which resembles iced tea after cola is added.

Different stories exist about exactly who created the cocktail, but the combination of multiple clear spirits, citrus, sugar and cola eventually became a modern bar classic.

Its popularity comes partly from its unusual construction: several different spirits combine into a drink that tastes much smoother and more refreshing than its ingredient list might suggest.

The Long Island Iced Tea can be made directly in the serving glass, making it simple to prepare even with its longer ingredient list.

Fill a highball glass generously with ice before adding the spirits, orange liqueur, lemon juice and sugar syrup.

Stir briefly to combine and chill the ingredients.

Add the Coca-Cola last and stir gently. Excessive stirring will release carbonation and make the finished drink flatter.

Serve immediately while the drink is cold and sparkling.