Strong and blue, this is one cocktail that almost drinks like two.
There are so many riffs and variations on that legendary booze-bomb called the Long Island Iced Tea. I imagine there’s a bunch of them out there that many of us haven’t even heard of yet. And some of the ones we do know of are so brilliantly simple that nobody can claim to know who invented what particular offshoot and when.
Whenever I enjoy a “stronger-than-usual” drink like the Blue Long Island, I often wonder who had the idea. Who was that person who said, “You know what’d be great?” and then proceeded to experiment, or even stumble upon, your next favorite cocktail? Something that seems so simple as adding or substituting just one or two ingredients in anything can often make or break any recipe.
There’s an art to mixology. I always imagined a wizened wizard, hunched over his reagents and boiling, misty cauldrons, as the one creating these potions we enjoy. But the magic sometimes is in the mystery surrounding a cocktail. Like the Blue Long Island. Who woke up one day and decided the Long Island Iced Tea needed to be blue? The world may never know. But at least you can drink it.
What is the best alcohol to use in a Blue Long Island?
When mixing any variation of a Long Island Iced Tea, I recommend using clear base spirits. Gin and vodka are see-through to begin with, but for the rum and tequila, definitely stick with white or silver versions. When you mix in the blue curaçao, your cocktail will take on an almost crystal, sapphire complexion.
Ingredients
- 1/2 ounce vodka
- 1/2 ounce tequila
- 1/2 ounce white rum
- 1/2 ounce gin
- 1/2 ounce blue curaçao
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ginger ale to top
- Lemon wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, combine vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, and blue curaçao, then add freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Fill the glass with ice and top off with ginger ale.
- Stir the ingredients together until well mixed.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge on the rim of the glass. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
With more alcohol thrown into these drinks than most, a tall highball glass will capture these spirits and keep them chilled on ice for the duration of your sipping. Garnish with a plump lemon wedge.
Does this drink use cola like the Long Island Iced Tea?
No. Another difference between the Blue Long Island and its original counterpart is the use of ginger ale instead of cola, giving the drink a brighter look and taste.
Blue Long Island variations
Once you’ve had the Blue Long Island, you might want to try as many versions as you can of this potent potion that are floating around out in the world. Or maybe at your local bar, or even at home. With Twist & Toast’s variety of recipes at your fingertips, you don’t have to go far to find what you need.
- Long Beach Iced Tea – The West Coast’s version of the East Coast creation, which uses cranberry juice to liven things up.
- Texas Tea – The Lone Star State has its own bourbon-infused Iced Tea cocktail in this kickin’ version of the classic.
- Tokyo Tea – Bright green and pretty mean, the Tokyo Tea packs a neon-flavored punch with the addition of Midori.
- Long Island Iced Tea – The legendary “kitchen-sink” cocktail that you definitely shouldn’t be missing out on.
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