Long Beach Island Iced Tea Cocktail Recipe

I love mixing cocktails that feel fresh and easy to enjoy. The Long Beach Island Iced Tea is honestly one of my favorites.

It takes the classic Long Island Iced Tea and gives it a lighter, fruitier twist. Every time I make one, it reminds me of summer by the shore.

This drink blends familiar spirits with cranberry juice instead of cola, so you get a balanced flavor that’s crisp and refreshing.

You don’t need fancy equipment or rare ingredients to whip this up. Just grab a shaker, some ice, and a handful of common liquors.

It comes together fast and looks pretty impressive in the glass, honestly. Whether you’re hosting friends or just winding down at home, you can have this cocktail ready in minutes.

The taste feels both classic and coastal, which is a winning combo in my book.

Long Beach Island Iced Tea Cocktail Recipe

I like this drink because it’s crisp, balanced, and honestly just easy to make. It mixes several spirits with cranberry juice instead of cola, so it ends up lighter in color and fruitier in flavor.

With the right tools and ingredients, you can prepare it at home without any fuss.

Equipment

I keep my setup simple but effective. No need to overthink it—just use reliable tools that make mixing easy.

• Cocktail shaker with a tight lid for shaking everything together
• Jigger or measuring cup for accuracy
• Bar spoon for the occasional stir
• Hawthorne strainer to keep ice out of your glass
• Highball glass or Collins glass for serving
• Ice cubes to chill things down
• Small knife and cutting board for a lemon garnish

I always chill my glass before pouring. It keeps the drink colder and helps the flavors stay sharper.

Ingredients

I use equal parts of five clear spirits to keep things balanced. Cranberry juice brings a mild tartness and a nice color, taking the place of cola.

• ½ oz vodka
• ½ oz dry gin
• ½ oz white rum
• ½ oz silver tequila
• ½ oz triple sec
• 1 oz sour mix
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slice for garnish

I really prefer making my own sour mix with lemon juice and simple syrup. It’s brighter and just blends better with the spirits.

Instructions

Here’s how I do it, step by step.

• Fill your shaker halfway with ice.
• Add the vodka, dry gin, white rum, silver tequila, and triple sec.
• Pour in the sour mix and cranberry juice.
• Shake it firmly for about 10 seconds, until the shaker feels nice and cold.
• Strain into a chilled highball glass filled with fresh ice.
• Garnish with a lemon slice on the rim.

I serve it right away so it stays cold and crisp. The tart cranberry and citrus notes make it super smooth and easy to sip.

Notes

I stick with silver tequila and white rum because they keep the drink light in color and flavor. Dark spirits just weigh it down.

If I’m in the mood for something a bit sweeter, I’ll add a splash of orange juice or a touch more cranberry juice. Or, if I want it a little stronger, I’ll cut back on the juice.

This cocktail tastes best when it’s fresh. If you let it sit or let the ice melt too much, it loses that bright, refreshing character.

Tasting Notes

Right away, I can’t help but notice how colorful this cocktail looks. That deep amber shade from the spirits and cola just catches the light in a really inviting way.

It looks bright, especially when I pour it over ice in a tall glass. Makes you want to take a sip, doesn’t it?

On the first taste, the flavor feels pretty balanced. I pick up the citrus from the lemon juice and a nice bit of sweetness from the cola.

The spirits come together smoothly—nothing jumps out or overpowers the rest. It’s kind of impressive, honestly.

I’d call the drink crisp and refreshing. There’s a gentle warmth from the alcohol, but no harsh burn.

The texture feels light, and those cola bubbles keep things lively. It’s got a nice little fizz that wakes up your palate.

As the ice melts, I notice the flavors soften just a bit. The drink stays easy to enjoy, never tipping into too sweet or heavy territory.