Ah, the Long Island Iced Tea. A classic cocktail known for its potent punch and iconic appearance. But what if you want to enjoy the refreshing taste and vibrant colors without the alcohol?
Today, we’re diving into the world of virgin Long Island iced teas, crafting three delicious variations that are just as satisfying as the original, minus the hangover.
Grab your favorite shaker, gather your ingredients, and get ready to embark on a flavor adventure!
What Is A Long Island Iced Tea?
What is a Long Island Iced Tea? A Long Island Iced Tea is a popular cocktail known for its deceptively potent nature and complex flavor profile.
But is it made from tea? Why is it alcoholic? These are typical questions coming from someone who might not be familiar with the drink.
Despite its name, the drink doesn’t contain any tea; instead, it’s a mixture of several distilled spirits, typically including vodka, tequila, rum, gin, and triple sec. Additionally, it incorporates sour mix (a blend of lemon or lime juice and simple syrup) and cola.
The combination of multiple spirits gives the Long Island Iced Tea its high alcohol content and the ability to mimic the color of iced tea, hence the name. The presence of sweet and sour elements from the sour mix and the cola’s effervescence helps to balance the strong alcoholic flavors.
However, the Long Island Iced Tea Mocktail changed the game as time passed. The ingredients for a Virgin Long Island Iced Tea typically exclude the alcoholic spirits found in the traditional version. Here’s a list of the common ingredients for a non-alcoholic Long Island Iced Tea:
Ingredients For Virgin Long Island Iced Tea
These ingredients are appropriately mixed to create a balanced, flavorful, non-alcoholic version of the Long Island Iced Tea. The result is a refreshing and enjoyable beverage that captures the essence of the classic cocktail without alcohol.
Cola or Coke
Cola or Coke provides the base for the drink and contributes to its color and flavor.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice adds a tangy and citrusy element to the mix.
Lime Juice
Lime juice is another citrus component that enhances the overall flavor.
Simple Syrup
Simple Syrup sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water, which balances out the tartness of the citrus juices.
Iced Tea Or Iced Tea Concentrate
Instead of the usual alcoholic spirits, the iced tea concentrate gives the drink its characteristic “tea” flavor without the alcohol content. You could also make a batch of very strong tea using less water than you normally would.
3 Non-Alcoholic Long Island Iced Tea Recipes
Virgin Long Island Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 1/2 ounce non-alcoholic rum alternative
- 1/2 ounce non-alcoholic vodka
- 1/2 ounce non-alcoholic tequila alternative
- 1/2 ounce non-alcoholic gin alternative
- 1 ounce Dhos Orange
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 2 ounces cola (we prefer Coke)
- 1 mint sprig for garnish
- 1 orange wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Add the first seven ingredients to an ice-filled highball glass.
- Stir in the cola, then garnish with an orange wedge.
Long Island Iced Tea Mocktail Made With Real Tea
In this traditional non-alcoholic Long Island Iced Tea Mocktail recipe, you’ll need a tea infuser.
Ingredients
- 12 teaspoons English Breakfast loose-leaf tea
- 60 ml apple cider vinegar
- 600 ml ginger beer
- Ice
- 1 lemon, juiced, plus 1 lemon, sliced
- Sprigs of fresh mint
Instructions
- Place the tea leaves in the infuser and fill the container halfway with boiling water. Remove the infuser after 4 minutes and let the tea settle for 1 hour.
- Add apple cider vinegar, ginger beer, and lemon juice to tea that has been chilled, then top with ice. Stir.
- Decorate with lemon slices and mint leaves.
Traditional Non-Alcoholic Long Island Iced Tea
Now that you know how to make a Virgin Long Island Iced Tea with real tea, let’s incorporate some traditional elements. The main ingredients of this brown-colored drink are lemon juice, simple syrup, and cola. This Non-Alcoholic Long Island Iced Tea recipe combines these flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 Black iced tea bags
- 1 cup apple juice
- 2 cups Coca-Cola
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Bring water to a low boil. In a teapot or carafe, pour the water over the tea bags and let them steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Stir in the apple juice and lemon juice. Fill the highball glasses with ice.
- The drink is finished with cola and lemon slices.
Virgin Long Island Iced Tea Is Your Next Favorite Drink
The Virgin Long Island Iced Tea showcases its unique charm with each sip, offering a flavorful experience that anyone can enjoy.
Remember that a refreshing and enjoyable drink doesn’t always require alcohol!
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Virgin Long Island Iced Tea FAQs
What is a Virgin Long Island Iced Tea supposed to taste like?
A Virgin Long Island Iced Tea, despite lacking the alcoholic spirits of its traditional counterpart, aims to replicate the flavor profile of the original while providing a refreshing and balanced taste experience. The absence of alcohol is compensated by carefully combining various non-alcoholic ingredients to create a drink that retains the essence of Long Island Iced Tea.
Is Long Island Iced Tea actually iced tea?
No, Long Island Iced Tea is not actually made with iced tea traditionally. Despite its name, this cocktail contains no tea as a primary ingredient. The “iced tea” part of the name is primarily due to the cocktail’s color, which resembles iced tea, and not because it contains tea as a core ingredient.
Why is it called Long Island Iced Tea?
The Long Island Iced Tea is believed to be named after the American East Coast region of Long Island, specifically in New York. However, despite its name, the cocktail doesn’t actually contain any tea as a primary ingredient.
The origin of the name is somewhat debated and not definitively documented. Despite the ambiguity, the Long Island Iced Tea has become a widely recognized and enjoyed cocktail around the world.
Do you shake or stir Virgin Long Island Iced Tea?
For a Virgin Long Island Iced Tea, giving the mixture a gentle stir rather than vigorous shaking is typically recommended. This is because shaking is commonly associated with cocktails that contain carbonated ingredients (like cola, in this case) or juices that might froth up when agitated. Since Virgin Long Island Iced Tea contains carbonated cola and citrus juices, stirring prevents excessive bubbling and maintains a more balanced presentation.