From Frat Houses to Wall Street—It’s Everyone’s Kryptonite

Let’s be real—if ever there was a mind-bender of a cocktail that screams “blackout in a glass,” it’s the Long Island Iced Tea. Sure, you could mix grain alcohol with Kool-Aid, but let’s not kid ourselves and call that a cocktail. And while Everclear has its uses—like throwing up repeatedly at Homecoming—it doesn’t have five, count ’em, FIVE liquors in a glass. You know what cocktail does? The Long Island Iced Tea. And you know what else the L.I. Iced Tea has? It’s got a mad-genius creator named Bob Butt, ties to the mob movie Goodfellas, and not one single drop of iced tea. It’s like this legendary mix mocks the very name it was given while wreaking fratastic havoc from pledge week to Wall Street. So, let’s dive into this fabulous cocktail, born on Lawng Eyeland—or was it?

The Long Island Iced Tea Recipe: Not for the Faint of Heart

Long Island Iced Tea

The beauty (and danger) of a Long Island Iced Tea is how deceptively smooth it is despite containing a who’s who of liquors. Five spirits in one glass? Check. Splash of soda to round it out? Sure, why not. Lemon wedge for a little class? Add that fruit, embrace the refinement, and wake up in Port Jefferson after you pass out on the LIRR.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword Cointreau, Gin, Long Island Iced Tea, Rum, Tequila, Triple Sec, Vodka

Equipment

Ingredients

3/4 oz Gin
3/4 oz Vodka
3/4 oz Clear Rum
3/4 oz Tequila
3/4 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
3/4 oz Freshly squeezed lime juice
Splash of Cola

Instructions

Pour all the ingredients (except the cola) over ice in a highball, Collins, or pint glass.
Add a splash of cola on top.
Stir gently to combine.
Squeeze a lime or lemon wedge over the drink, then drop it in as garnish.
Sip and enjoy (we’d say responsibly, but if you’re pouring one of these, then…)

Video

Notes

Variations use as little as ½ oz for each liquor or as much as 1 oz. It’s up to you, just make sure you Uber.
The original recipe calls for a splash of cola for color, but add up to an ounce for flavor.
Other variations swap in maple syrup, simple syrup, etc. (see below).

Nutrition

Serving: 8ozCalories: 220kcal

Tried this recipe?Hit us up @barwarriors or tag #barwarriors!

The Legend of the Long Island Iced Tea

Born in the 1970s, this potent concoction is credited to bartender Robert “Rosebud” Butt, who whipped it up at the Oak Beach Inn out on Long Island’s East End. And yeah, his last name is Butt—Bob Butt, which makes this story so much better. According to legend, someone dropped a bottle of triple sec on the bar and dared him to create something worth drinking. On that sweaty Long Island evening, surrounded by the heavy musk of unwashed fishermen and women who smelled like unwashed fish, Bob Butt accepted the challenge and rose to bartending glory. The Long Island Iced Tea was born—with absolutely zero iced tea in it.

The Great Origin Debate: Long Island, NY or Long Island, TN?

Like any great cocktail, there’s some controversy about its true origins. While Robert Butt’s version is widely accepted, some claim the drink has roots dating back to the Prohibition era in—get this—Long Island, Tennessee. To be frank, we didn’t even know there was a Long Island, TN, but hell, we’re BarWarriors, not Geography majors.

During Prohibition, it was common to disguise booze as everyday drinks, and some argue that a similar drink was served then to mask the alcohol. Supposedly, a man named “Old Man Bishop” created the original, and his son later added cola, lemon, and lime to the mix. This Tennessee version included whiskey, maple syrup, and zero triple sec.

Let’s be real though: “Get da fk atta hea!” If we’re talking about something this iconic and rowdy, we’re siding with New York. 100%.

The Oak Beach Inn: Where Drinks Were Strong, Legends Were Made, and Everyone Did Cocaine (Probably)

The Oak Beach Inn (OBI) wasn’t just known for its stiff drinks—it was the it spot for Long Island nightlife in the ’70s and ’80s. Owned by Robert Matherson, OBI had a reputation for rowdy parties, live music, and a wild crowd. However, it’s perhaps most infamous for one event: one of its locations mysteriously burned down.

This blaze didn’t just make headlines—it inspired the arson scene in Goodfellas, cementing OBI’s place in pop culture history. While it’s never been definitively proven that the fire was arson, the bar’s colorful past and larger-than-life stories keep the speculation alive. After all, when you mix big personalities, strong drinks, and the ’70s party scene out on Strong Island, who knows what can happen?

It’s said the OBI’s blaze inspired the arson scene in Goodfellas

The Modern Twist: Keep It Classic or Go Wild?

If you’re feeling adventurous, there are some variations of the Long Island Iced Tea, but let’s be honest—why mess with perfection? Some bartenders add cranberry juice, swap out triple sec for blue curaçao to make a Blue Long Island, or even top it off with Red Bull for an extra jolt of energy. But for us, the classic combo of gin, vodka, rum, tequila, and triple sec with a splash of cola reigns supreme.

So, the next time you’re craving a cocktail that doesn’t mess around, reach for a Long Island Iced Tea. Just remember—this drink doesn’t come with training wheels, so pace yourself, BarWarrior. You don’t want to wake up after the train has missed your stop. Trust us, Port Jefferson is the end of the line. We know.