Long Island iced tea
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A potent, high-octane cocktail that masquerades as a refreshing iced tea, the Long Island Iced Tea is a potent blend of five different spirits—vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and triple sec—balanced with sweet-and-sour mix and a splash of cola for color. It delivers a deceptively smooth, sweet, and tangy flavor profile with a complex, boozy finish, masking its high alcohol content behind a refreshing, tea-like appearance. Nutritionally, it is a liquid calorie bomb, providing 107 kcal and 8.43g of sugar per 100g, with virtually no protein, fat, or fiber.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 96% carbs · 4% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its paradoxical nature: it's a potent, multi-spirit cocktail that tastes like a simple, sweet iced tea, making it a fun and deceptively easy drink for social gatherings. Its versatility allows for endless variations, and it holds a cultural status as a classic, high-energy party drink.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is its high sugar and alcohol content, which can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes followed by crashes, and a significant risk of intoxication and hangovers. To mitigate, consider ordering a 'skinny' version with diet cola and less simple syrup, or pair it with a protein-rich appetizer to slow alcohol absorption. Those with a sweet tooth should be cautious, as the sugar content is substantial.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from simple carbohydrates (sugar).
- The high alcohol content can induce a rapid sense of relaxation or euphoria.
- Its sweet, tangy flavor profile is highly palatable and easy to drink.
- A popular social lubricant, often featured in bars and parties.
- The cola component adds a familiar, comforting flavor note.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The drink was allegedly invented in 1972 at the Oak Beach Inn on Long Island, New York, by a bartender named Robert 'Rosebud' Butt, as an entry in a cocktail contest.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 80.7 g |
| Energy | 107 kcal |
| Protein | 0.01 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.15 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 8.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 8.4 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 1.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.04 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.00 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 7.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 7.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 16.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.07 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.40 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.30 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 10.4 g |
| Caffeine | 5.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Why is it called 'iced tea' if it doesn't contain tea?
The name comes from its appearance: the cola gives it a color and clarity similar to iced tea, and the sweet-and-sour mix mimics the tea's flavor profile.
How much alcohol is in a Long Island Iced Tea?
It's one of the strongest cocktails, typically containing about 22-25% alcohol by volume (ABV), equivalent to about 3-4 standard drinks in one serving.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version?
Yes, a 'Virgin Long Island Iced Tea' replaces the spirits with more cola and sometimes a splash of lemon-lime soda or ginger ale, maintaining the sweet, tangy flavor.
What are the main ingredients?
The classic recipe includes vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec (orange liqueur), sweet-and-sour mix, and a splash of cola for color.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.07 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 8.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.29 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.