Vodka, tequila, rum, gin, triple sec, lemon, and cola — deceptive, strong, and a legitimate classic.
The Long Island Iced Tea was created by Robert 'Rosebud' Butt at the Oak Beach Inn, Long Island, New York, in 1972. He submitted it to a cocktail competition and won. The drink's genius is that despite containing four full spirits, it tastes like lemonade with a faint cola note — which is simultaneously its appeal and its danger.
The reason it tastes light is that each spirit appears in small quantities — no single one dominates. The lemon juice and triple sec's citrus provide the 'tea' flavour alongside the cola. A well-made Long Island Iced Tea is balanced and refreshing; a poorly made one (too much cola, pre-made sour mix) tastes synthetic. Fresh lemon juice is mandatory.
Add ½ oz bourbon to the standard recipe and use cola more generously. Richer and more Southern.
Replace triple sec with peach schnapps. Add a peach slice garnish. Sweeter and fruitier.
Add ½ oz blue curaçao instead of triple sec. With the cranberry juice replacing cola, the drink turns a dramatic purple.