Long Beach Iced Tea
Discover the refreshing Long Beach Iced Tea, a vibrant twist on the classic Long Island. This potent yet surprisingly smooth cocktail swaps cola for cranberry juice, resulting in a fruitier, tarter profile. Combining vodka, tequila, rum, gin, and triple sec with lemon juice and cranberry, it's a visually appealing and flavorful drink perfect for parties and warm weather gatherings. Learn how to mix this iconic cocktail perfectly every time.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cl vodka
- 1.5 cl tequila
- 1.5 cl white rum
- 1.5 cl gin
- 1.5 cl triple sec
- 2.5 cl lemon juice
- 1.5 cl simple syrup
- 3 cl cranberry juice
- 1 wedge lemon
Accessories
- 1 shaker
- 1 strainer
- 1 highball glass
Instructions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Add vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
Secure the lid and shake well until the outside of the shaker feels cold (about 15-20 seconds).
Fill a highball glass with fresh ice cubes.
Strain the mixture from the shaker into the prepared glass.
Top up the glass with cranberry juice.
Gently stir the drink to combine the ingredients.
Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Trivia
- What is the difference between a Long Island Iced Tea and a Long Beach Iced Tea?
The primary difference lies in the mixer used. A classic Long Island Iced Tea is topped with a splash of cola, giving it a traditional iced tea color and flavor profile. The Long Beach Iced Tea, however, substitutes the cola with cranberry juice, resulting in a pinkish hue and a tarter, fruitier taste.
- What does a Long Beach Iced Tea taste like?
A Long Beach Iced Tea offers a complex flavor profile. Despite its potent mix of five different spirits (vodka, tequila, rum, gin, triple sec), the taste is surprisingly smooth. The cranberry juice adds a distinct tartness and fruitiness, balanced by the citrus tang of lemon juice and the sweetness of simple syrup. It's refreshing, slightly sweet, tart, and boozy.
- What alcohol is in a Long Beach Iced Tea?
A Long Beach Iced Tea contains five types of clear spirits: vodka, tequila (usually blanco), white rum, gin (typically London Dry), and triple sec (an orange-flavored liqueur). These are combined in equal measures, contributing to the cocktail's significant alcohol content.
- Why is it called Long Beach Iced Tea?
The name 'Long Beach Iced Tea' is a nod to its predecessor, the Long Island Iced Tea. It's believed to have originated as a variation on the original, possibly named after Long Beach, either on Long Island, New York, or Long Beach, California, distinguishing it by its signature cranberry juice addition.
- Can I make a Long Beach Iced Tea without one of the spirits?
While you can technically omit a spirit, it will alter the intended complex flavor profile. The classic recipe relies on the interplay between vodka, tequila, rum, gin, and triple sec. Removing one might simplify the taste, potentially making another spirit more dominant. For the authentic experience, using all five is recommended.
- What type of glass is best for a Long Beach Iced Tea?
The Long Beach Iced Tea is traditionally served in a tall glass to accommodate the spirits, mixer, and ice, similar to its namesake. A Highball glass or a Collins glass is the ideal choice, allowing room for the ingredients to mix and showcasing the drink's appealing color.