Top Eight Reasons Why I love Long Island Ice Teas

From the great and mindful fathoms of the pioneer and original connoisseur—the purveyor of the world’s very first taste of what would later move on to become one of the more popular and better known of highball drinks at any bar, restaurant or lounge—Robert (Rosebud) Buttu, whom created the Long Island Ice Tea while bartender at the ritzy Oak Beach Inn, in the Town of Babylon, Long Island, New York, has been forever my favorite highball mixer drink while out partying. There are now many different variations to the recipe, but the original, as it was intended by Buttu, is still my favorite to whet my palate with during the weekends, when I find myself clubbing or bar hopping with my friends. The Original Recipe for the Long Island Ice Tea The original recipe includes the following liquors: vodka, gin, tequila, and rum. However more recent popular versions that are commonly ordered at clubs and which you will more than likely be sucking down if you order one when out include: equal parts of vodka, gin, tequila, rum and triple sec with 1 1/2 parts sour mix and a splash of cola, which is only used to add coloring to the drink. Due to the almost nonexistent proportionate amounts of mixer to the alcohol, most Long Island Ice Teas are at least 28-35% alcohol or higher, depending upon how they are mixed. Some places may even use brandy as opposed to tequila. While others will use real iced tea as opposed to cola, and yet others will even substitute lime cordial in place of sweet and sour. But no matter how you mix a world famous Long Island Ice Tea, one thing is for sure: it goes down smooth, you can barely taste the alcohol, and before you know it, the room is spinning circles around your noggin. And now on to my top Eight… Top Eight Reasons Why I love Long Island Ice Teas 1. There is not a faster, smoother sweeter tasting way to get drunk fast, seriously. Don’t believe me, try drinking four of these puppies and walking, talking or doing anything! 2. For the amount of alcohol that is contained within these, you will not taste nearly a drop, but what you will taste is Long Island Ice Tea goodness, to the last drop. 3. The cheapest most cost effective way to get drunk; one drink is equal to three or four beers, and three shots, but costs the same as…one drink. 4. The magical blend of something that is mostly alcohol but tastes like tea and soda. 5. There is not a bartender in the world who does not know how to make this mix drink. Nearly anywhere that you will go, they know of this popular highball. 6. Compared to other mix drinks, it just taste better, smoother and has more liquor 7. Unlike other mixed drinks, the Long Island actually tastes good with food 8. Finally—a Long island mixes all my favorite liquors together into one taste bud and mind explosion. How to Make a Long Island Ice Tea: No More Wondering, this Bar Tender Serves it Up!