Bj's Long Island Ice Tea Drink recipe

Get ready to impress your guests with BJ's Long Island Ice Tea drink! This delicious cocktail blends a perfect mix of Amaretto, Bourbon, Rum, Triple Sec, and Vodka. Shake it up in a shaker for an easy and chilled concoction. Perfect for any party or special occasion, this recipe is a must-try for any beginning bartender.

Bj's Long Island Ice Tea Ingredients

• 0.5 oz Amaretto
• 0.5 oz Bourbon
• 0.5 oz Rum
• 0.5 oz Triple Sec
• 0.5 oz Vodka

Bj's Long Island Ice Tea Equipment

Bj's Long Island Ice Tea Recipe

The Long Island Iced Tea: A Classic Cocktail with a Kick

If you're looking for a cocktail that packs a punch, the Long Island Iced Tea is a classic choice. This drink may look like iced tea, but don't be fooled – it's a potent combination of five different spirits. In this article, we'll dive into the history and ingredients of the Long Island Iced Tea, explore some variations and common mistakes, and give you tips on how to garnish this classic cocktail.

Popularity

The Long Island Iced Tea has been a popular cocktail since its creation in the 1970s. Despite its name and appearance, it has no actual tea in it – it gets its name from its resemblance to the classic iced tea beverage. The origins of this drink are somewhat disputed, with several bars and bartenders claiming to have invented it. However, it is generally accepted that the Long Island Iced Tea was first created in the 1970s by bartender Robert "Rosebud" Butt at the Oak Beach Inn in Long Island, New York.

Since then, the Long Island Iced Tea has become a staple at bars and restaurants around the world. It's famous for its high alcohol content and sweet, citrusy flavor. The five different spirits in the drink – vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and triple sec – give it a complex flavor that's hard to resist. The Long Island Iced Tea is also known for its geographic variations – in different parts of the country, you may find different spirits or mixers used in the drink.

In terms of appearance, the Long Island Iced Tea is usually served in a tall glass with ice and a lemon wedge. It has a light brown color that resembles iced tea, but it's usually clear enough to see through.

Ingredient Roles

As mentioned earlier, the Long Island Iced Tea contains five different spirits: vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and triple sec. Each spirit plays a role in the drink's flavor profile. The vodka provides a neutral base, while the rum adds sweetness and the gin contributes herbal notes. The tequila adds a bit of smokiness, and the triple sec brings a citrusy flavor.

In addition to the spirits, the Long Island Iced Tea also contains a splash of cola and sour mix. The cola adds a bit of sweetness and color to the drink, while the sour mix provides a tart, citrusy flavor. The proportions of these ingredients can vary depending on the recipe, but the classic Long Island Iced Tea recipe calls for equal parts of each spirit and a splash of cola and sour mix.

How to Garnish

Garnishing a Long Island Iced Tea is simple – just add a lemon wedge to the glass. The lemon wedge adds a bit of brightness to the drink and complements the citrus flavor of the sour mix. Some bartenders also like to add a sprig of mint or a cherry as a garnish.

Variations

While the classic Long Island Iced Tea recipe is beloved by many, there are also plenty of variations to try. Here are a few examples:

Virgin/Mocktail Version

If you're looking for a non-alcoholic version of the Long Island Iced Tea, simply omit the spirits and add extra sour mix and cola. You can also add a splash of iced tea to give it a bit of flavor.

Gluten-Free Version

Most of the spirits in a Long Island Iced Tea are naturally gluten-free, but some brands may add gluten during the distillation process. If you're looking for a gluten-free version, look for spirits that are certified gluten-free. You can also substitute gluten-free vodka and rum for the classic versions.

Vegan Version

The classic Long Island Iced Tea recipe is already vegan, as none of the ingredients come from animals. However, if you're concerned about animal products being used in the production of your spirits, look for vegan-certified brands.

Keto Version

The Long Island Iced Tea is not a keto-friendly drink, as it contains a lot of sugar from the sour mix and cola. However, you can make a keto-friendly version by substituting sugar-free sour mix and cola and using a low-carb sweetener like stevia.

Low-Calorie Version

The classic Long Island Iced Tea is a high-calorie drink, as it contains a lot of sugar and alcohol. To make a lower-calorie version, you can use a sugar-free sour mix and cola and reduce the amount of spirits in the drink.

Common Mistakes

When making a Long Island Iced Tea, there are a few common mistakes to avoid. Here are some tips:

• Don't use cheap spirits – since the Long Island Iced Tea contains so many different spirits, it's important to use high-quality versions of each one. Using cheap spirits can result in a harsh, unpleasant flavor.
• Don't overdo the sour mix – while the sour mix is an important part of the Long Island Iced Tea's flavor profile, too much of it can overpower the other ingredients. Be sure to measure carefully.
• Don't use flat cola – the cola in the Long Island Iced Tea adds a bit of carbonation and sweetness to the drink. If your cola is flat, the drink will lose some of its fizz and flavor.
• Don't forget to shake – the Long Island Iced Tea is best made in a shaker, as it allows you to mix and chill the ingredients evenly. If you don't have a shaker, you can stir the ingredients together in a glass, but the drink won't be as well-mixed or cold.

Overall, the Long Island Iced Tea is a classic cocktail that's perfect for anyone who loves a strong, sweet drink. With a little bit of practice, you can make this cocktail at home and impress your friends with your bartending skills. Just be sure to drink responsibly – the Long Island Iced Tea may be delicious, but it's also very potent!

If you are going to order Bj's Long Island Ice Tea in a bar, don’t forget to mention all the ingredients to the bartender. Bj's Long Island Ice Tea can be served with different ingredients in different places.