Cool off with a tasty twist on the classic Long Island Iced Tea. This tropical version swaps cola for pineapple juice to create a refreshing island vibe.
The Independence Island Iced Tea combines vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, and pineapple juice for a strong yet smooth cocktail that’s perfect for summer parties.
Many people enjoy this drink because it looks pretty in the glass and tastes less boozy than expected.
The golden color from the pineapple juice makes it stand out from regular iced tea cocktails. Plus, it’s easy to make with basic bar ingredients.
This drink works great for backyard barbecues and pool parties. The recipe makes one serving, but can be scaled up to fill a pitcher for bigger groups.
Just remember – even though it goes down easy, it packs quite a punch.
Independence Island Iced Tea Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Collins glass
- Ice
- Bar spoon
- Citrus juicer
- Knife and cutting board
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 1 oz white rum
- 1 oz dark rum
- 1 oz coconut rum
- 1 oz triple sec
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- Splash of grenadine
- Cola to top
- Orange slice and cherry for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Fill a Collins glass with ice and set aside.
- Add both rums, coconut rum, triple sec, lime juice, pineapple juice, and orange juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared Collins glass.
- Add a splash of grenadine and top with cola.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine.
- Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
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Tasting Notes
Independence Island Iced Tea offers a perfect balance of sweet and citrus flavors. The five spirits blend together smoothly, creating a light and refreshing taste.
The coconut rum adds a subtle tropical note, while the citrus vodka brings a bright, zesty element. The gin contributes botanical hints that complement the other spirits.
Triple sec adds orange sweetness that pairs well with the fresh lemon juice. The cola provides a familiar caramel-like finish and gentle fizz.
Each sip starts with tropical coconut, followed by citrus notes in the middle. The drink ends with a smooth combination of cola and spirits.
The golden-brown color looks inviting in a tall glass. Fresh lemon garnish adds an extra burst of citrus aroma.
Suggested Serving Temperature: 35-40°F (2-4°C)
Flavor Profile:
- Primary: Coconut, citrus
- Secondary: Cola, orange
- Finish: Light, refreshing
The drink tastes less boozy than expected given its high alcohol content. Ice dilution helps mellow the spirits while keeping the drink cold and refreshing.
Substitute
The Independence Island Iced Tea can be made with different ingredients when the main ones aren’t available. Each substitute keeps the drink’s taste close to the original.
Spirits and Liqueurs
- Replace vodka with gin
- Swap white rum for dark rum
- Use triple sec instead of Cointreau
- Replace tequila with mezcal
The cola can be switched with diet cola or another dark soda.
For a less sweet drink, use sparkling water mixed with a splash of cola.
Fresh lemon juice works best, but bottled lemon juice makes a good backup.
Each 2 tablespoons of fresh juice equals 2 tablespoons of bottled juice.
Non-Alcoholic Version Mix these ingredients:
- Lemon juice
- Black tea
- Cola
- Orange juice
- Lime juice
- Club soda
Add more cola to match the color of the original drink.
Garnish with lemon wedges and mint leaves just like the alcoholic version.
