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Twisted Long Island Iced Tea

A cheeky mix of booze and citrus that tastes far friendlier than it behaves

Don't take this drink lightly - it will fool you.  It's tasty and easy to drink. It also packs a wallop. So please drink responsibly. 

Origin

Most accepted origin is in New York in 1973. Created by Robert Butt for a cocktail contest at the Oak Beach Inn, Hamptons. His version features triple sec, gin, tequila, vodka, white rum, and Cointreau with lemon juice, simple syrup, and cola.

An alternative origin in Tennessee. in the 1920's in Kingsport. During the Prohibition, Charlie "Old Man" Bishop created the drink on a small island called “Long Island” in the Holston River. He also used whiskey as another ingredient. His son Ransom later refined the recipe, adding cola, lemon, and lime.

Although it's called Iced Tea, there is no iced tea in the actual drink, it simply resembles iced tea.

This recipe is for one tall glass or 2 shorter glasses. 

Ingredients

  • 1oz Vodka
  • 0.25oz Light Rum
  • 0.25oz Gin
  • Splash of WhiteTequila
  • Ice
  • Garnish of Orange Slices (and Lemon Slices if desired) and Mint
  • Shaker
  • 1.5oz Orange Juice
  • 1.5 oz Cola or Pepsi

Optional lighter version: Use a pint glass and increase the Orange Juice and Coke/Pepsi.

Instructions

  • Add ice to your glasses and a few of the orange slices
  • Pour the liquors and the orange juice (and a couple squeezes of lemon) into a shaker, add ice, cover and shake
  • Strain contents into the glass, leaving enough room for the cola
  • Slowly pour in the cola/pepsi so it filters down the glass (optional to stir in the cola/pepsi)
  • Add the garnishes of mint and an orange or lemon wheel

The author, Karin Davidson, began bartending in college at the Rusty Nail on Haverford Avenue. She specialized in recreating popular drinks and creating drinks for customers' preferences.