The Long Island Iced Tea's five-spirit base is a genuinely flexible template, not a fixed formula. Start with our guide on how to make a Long Island Iced Tea if you haven't already, then use these as a map for where to take it next. Here's the whole family at a glance; each one gets a full breakdown below.
| Variation | What changes | Taste profile | | --- | --- | --- | | Texas Tea | Adds a half-ounce of bourbon | Warm caramel and oak notes, noticeably stronger | | Long Beach Iced Tea | Cranberry juice replaces the cola | Tarter, fruitier, and lighter, with a pink-red hue | | Blue Long Island | Blue curaçao replaces the triple sec, lemon-lime soda tops it | Sweeter and more citrus-forward, striking blue color | | Smoky Long Island | Mezcal replaces the tequila | A smoky, savory edge over the classic base | | Top Shelf Long Island | Premium bottles across all five spirits | Smoother, with each spirit showing real character | | Virgin Long Island | Lemon, orange, and pineapple juice replace the spirits | Layered citrus and the same tea-like color, no alcohol | | Skinny Long Island | Agave nectar and diet cola replace syrup and regular cola | Same structure with cleaner sweetness and less sugar |
Texas Tea
Adds a half-ounce of bourbon to the standard vodka, rum, gin, and tequila lineup, bringing warm caramel and oak notes into the mix. Build it exactly like the classic: shake all six spirits with lemon juice and simple syrup, strain over ice, top with cola. The extra spirit makes this noticeably stronger, so it's better suited to sipping slowly than to a round of quick drinks. It works especially well alongside heartier, smokier food, think BBQ or burgers, where the bourbon's depth has something to play against.
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Long Beach Iced Tea
Swaps the cola for cranberry juice, trading caramel sweetness for a tarter, fruitier, and noticeably lighter drink with a pink-red hue. Reduce the simple syrup slightly since cranberry brings its own sweetness. It's a good warm-weather option: the tartness pairs well with seafood appetizers or a brunch spread, and it feels cleaner on the palate than the cola version.
Blue Long Island
Replaces the triple sec with blue curaçao, which does double duty: same orange flavor, but a striking blue color once topped with lemon-lime soda instead of cola. It's sweeter and more citrus-forward than the classic, and it's the version to reach for when presentation matters as much as taste; it's a reliable conversation starter at any themed party.
Smoky Long Island
Swaps the tequila for mezcal, which threads a smoky, campfire-like note through the other four spirits. Build and shake it the same way, topped with cola as usual. This one appeals specifically to people who already like smoky Scotch or mezcal on their own: it adds a savory dimension the classic doesn't have, and pairs well with grilled or smoked food, especially anything with chipotle or smoked paprika.
Top Shelf Long Island
The same five-spirit ratio, but with premium bottles across the board: Grey Goose or Belvedere vodka, an aged rum, a craft gin like Hendrick's, a reposado tequila, and real Cointreau instead of standard triple sec. Nothing about the method changes, but the result is noticeably smoother, with each spirit contributing actual character instead of raw alcohol burn. Worth making when you want to serve guests something that doesn't feel like a party-drink shortcut.
Virgin Long Island
A genuine non-alcoholic version, not just a diet tweak: equal parts fresh lemon, orange, and pineapple juice with a touch of simple syrup, shaken and topped with a splash of cola. It keeps the tea-like color and the same layered citrus profile the original is known for, which makes it a solid option for designated drivers or anyone skipping alcohol without wanting a lesser drink.
Skinny Long Island
Keeps the same five spirits but swaps simple syrup for agave nectar and regular cola for diet, cutting a meaningful amount of sugar without changing the drink's structure. The agave's cleaner sweetness actually complements the tequila slightly better than plain sugar syrup does. It's a reasonable option if you want the classic experience without the full calorie load, rather than a completely different drink.
Getting Any Variation Right
Whichever version you make, the same rules from the original guide still apply: measure with a jigger rather than free-pouring, use fresh citrus juice rather than bottled, and treat cola (or whatever you're topping with) as an accent, not a base, a splash, not half the glass. Shake for 10-12 seconds, no more, and serve it immediately. Get those basics right and any of these twists will taste as intentional as the original.