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Long Island, Iced Tea Cocktail, is just one of many cocktails named after the place where they were invented. Despite its name, it does not actually contain iced tea but instead a mixture of liquors, including vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin, and a splash of cola, giving it its signature amber hue. While the drink has a reputation as one of the most potent due to its many liquors and a relatively small amount of mixer, it remains a popular choice, particularly in the summer and on vacations. Bartenders have even created variations of the drink named after different locations. However, the origins and inventor of the Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail or LIIT are still debated and shrouded in mystery, leaving many unsolved puzzles around the drink. Let's delve into LIIT Cocktail’s history and discover more.
LIIT Cocktail: The Claim of the Self-Proclaimed Inventor
The history and invention of the Long Island Iced Tea cocktail are fraught with conflicting claims of its origin. One such claim comes from a bartender named Robert Butt, who worked at the Oak Beach Inn in Long Island. According to Butt, he invented the drink in 1972 as part of a cocktail-making competition that required triple sec. He mixed tequila, vodka, gin, rum, triple sec, and a splash of coke to create the controversial drink, known for its high alcohol concentration of 22%. Although no concrete evidence exists that such a competition existed, the beverage quickly became popular with the masses. Whether or not Butt's story is true, his claim adds to the enigma of the Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail's history and invention.
The Duelling Origins of Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail Conundrum
The origin of Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail has long been debated, with two conflicting claims vying for recognition. While many believe it was invented at the Manhattan Club in New York, others point to Kingsport, Tennessee, as the true birthplace of the drink. According to Tennessee's version, Charlie "Old Man" Bishop, an illegal alcohol maker during the 1920s Prohibition Era, created an early version of the drink on Long Island, an island in Kingsport. His son, Ransom Bishop, added cola, lemon, and lime to the recipe. The Tennessee version includes whiskey, maple syrup, and varying quantities of five liquors.
A glass of Long Island Iced Tea or LIIT Cocktail, iStock
Meanwhile, proponents of the New York story believe the drink was first mixed at the Manhattan Club, using vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, and a splash of cola. With both stories holding some degree of truth, the mystery of the Long Island Iced Tea's origins may never be fully resolved.
The Prohibition-Era Theory Behind the Name of Long Island Tea Cocktail
The Long Island, Iced Tea cocktail, may have a seemingly innocent name, but it has a notorious reputation for its high alcohol content. Some speculate that the drink's name was deliberately inconspicuous, allowing bartenders to serve it discreetly during the Prohibition Era when alcohol was banned.
LIIT Cocktail, a summertime refreshing drink, Image Source: Freepik
Others believe that the drink's potency was a response to the scarcity of alcohol during that time, where every sip had to count. Whatever the reason, the Long Island Iced Tea continues to be a famous cocktail with a history as complex and elusive as its recipe.
In summary, the history of Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail might be debated, but it is a beloved libation. This mysterious drink with multiple origin stories, with some claiming it was invented in Long Island, New York. In contrast, others assert that it originated in Kingsport, Tennessee. Its name and the high alcohol content may have been influenced by the Prohibition Era, but its popularity continues.
