Long Island Iced Tea

Long Island Ice Tea – created in the 1970′s on Long Island, New York doesn’t actually contain tea, but is supposed to taste similar.  It’s a hugely popular drink, served almost everywhere.  I’m sharing this recipe as Sander is going to be making these at his New Years Party this year, and needed to know exactly what was needed.  I’ve included a recipe for Sweet & Sour Mix, with some variations as well.

Long Island Iced Tea

1 part vodka
1 part  Tequila
1 part rum
1 part gin
1 part triple sec (or an orange flavored liquor)
1 1/2 parts sweet and sour mix (see recipe below)
1 splash Coke or Pepsi

Mix ingredients together over ice in a glass. Pour into a shaker and give one brisk shake. Pour back into the glass and make sure there is a touch of fizz at the top.  Garnish with lemon.

Sweet and Sour Mix

Variation 1

3 cups granulated sugar
3 cups water
2 cups lemon juice
2 cups lime juice

(or 4 cups lemon, or 4 cups lime)

Combine the water and sugar into a large sauce pan.  Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.  Bring to a boil, and then boil for 5 minutes.  Cool.  Add in the lemon & lime juices.  Stir to mix and then refrigerate.  This can be kept for about a week in the refrigerator.

Variation 2

1 Cup lemon juice
1 Cup lime Juice
1 cup confectioners sugar (aka caster sugar or icing sugar – 10x sugar)

Mix together well, and allow to sit for 4-24 hours.  Stir occasionally, making sure the sugar is dissolved.

Variation 3

2 cups lemon or 2 cups lime juice
1 cup 1 cup confectioners sugar (aka caster sugar or icing sugar – 10x sugar)

Mix together well, and allow to sit for 4-24 hours.  Stir occasionally, making sure the sugar is dissolved.

Notes:

• To get the most juice out of lemons and limes, roll them around on the counter, using medium pressure, to break the cells holding the juice.
• Using only lemon juice is more akin to a sour mix for say, whiskey sour
• Using only Lime juice is perfect for Margaritas
• Using a mix of lemon and lime, works for just about everything you’d need a sour mix for.
• In the US, Sour mix is used quite a lot.  However, in Europe, sour mix is usually left out of drink mixes, being substituted for Lime Cordial, or lemon/lime juice.

Sweet and Sour Mix

Variation 1

3 cups granulated sugar
3 cups water
2 cups lemon juice
2 cups lime juice

(or 4 cups lemon, or 4 cups lime)

Combine the water and sugar into a large sauce pan.  Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.  Bring to a boil, and then boil for 5 minutes.  Cool.  Add in the lemon & lime juices.  Stir to mix and then refrigerate.  This can be kept for about a week in the refrigerator.

Variation 2

1 Cup lemon juice
1 Cup lime Juice
1 cup confectioners sugar (aka caster sugar or icing sugar – 10x sugar)

Mix together well, and allow to sit for 4-24 hours.  Stir occasionally, making sure the sugar is dissolved.

Variation 3

2 cups lemon or 2 cups lime juice
1 cup confectioners sugar (aka caster sugar or icing sugar – 10x sugar)

Mix together well, and allow to sit for 4-24 hours.  Stir occasionally, making sure the sugar is dissolved.

Notes:

• To get the most juice out of lemons and limes, roll them around on the counter, using medium pressure, to break the cells holding the juice.
• Using only lemon juice is more akin to a sour mix for say, whiskey sour
• Using only Lime juice is perfect for Margaritas
• Using a mix of lemon and lime, works for just about everything you’d need a sour mix for.
• In the US, Sour mix is used quite a lot.  However, in Europe, sour mix is usually left out of drink mixes, being substituted for Lime Cordial, or lemon/lime juice.

If I were having a party tonight, these drinks are what I would serve.  They look festive, and taste so good.

Green Apple Martini

Cinnamon and sugar
2.5 Ounces vodka
2.5 Ounces sour apple schnapps
2.5 Ounces lemonade
2.5 Ounces 7-up or sprite (or a lemon-lime soda)

Sliced green apple

Mix 1 part cinnamon to 2 parts sugar (or 1 tablespoon cinnamon plus 2 tablespoons sugar).  Dip the rim of the martini glass into a shallow dish with a bit of water in it — about 1/4 inch or so, and then into the cinnamon/sugar mixture.

In a shaker filled all the way with ice, mix the vodka, schnapps, lemonade and 7 up

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine vodka, schnapps, lemonade and lemon-lime soda. Cover the shaker, and shake hard.  Strain the ice off, and pour into the glasses, garnish with a slice of green apple, and serve immediately.