Long Island Ice Tea History

by Alyssa LaRenzie

Overview

The Long Island iced tea is a popular American cocktail made with vodka, gin, tequila triple sec and a splash of cola. The drink has a high alcohol content, but looks and tastes similar to iced tea.
Origin

The invention of Long Island iced tea is most commonly credited to Robert "Rosebud" Butt of the popular Long Island nightlife spot, the Oak Beach Inn. The bartender first created the drink in 1974, according to the inn in Hampton Bays.

Another Origin

Others believe that the Long Island iced tea was created in the 1920s in a community called Long Island in Kingsport, Tennessee. During the times of prohibition, it's rumored that the drink looked and tasted so similar to iced tea that people would drink it to mask the fact that they were drinking alcohol. The Tennessee version contains maple syrup, giving it even more of a sweet tea flavor.
Weighing the Two Stories

While it has generally been accepted that the Long Island iced tea was created in Long Island, the story from Tennessee has anecdotal evidence from several older residents. Due to the alcohol ban during prohibition, the secret of the cocktail creation in Tennessee may have taken longer to surface.
Popularity

The Long Island iced tea's popularity boomed in the 1980s. Due to the alcohol content of about 28 percent, the cocktail became a staple at college bars, since students only needed to purchase a few rounds. The drink was accepted to the International Bartenders Association as an official cocktail, making it a drink that bartenders in the annual competition must know how to make.
Other Iced Tea Cocktails

Due to the popularity of the Long Island, several other locations in the U.S. and around the world have made their own versions of the beverage. Tokyo, California, Miami and Hawaii have all substituted one or two components to give the drink a new twist.