Name: Long Beach Iced Tea Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 part vodka; 1 part rum; 1 part gin; 1 part triple sec; 1 part melon liqueur; fill with cranberry juice cocktail

Unveiling the recipe for the iconic Long Beach Iced Tea, a refreshing cocktail that's a spin on the classic Long Island Iced Tea. It boasts a beautiful red hue and a unique fruity flavor from the addition of cranberry juice and melon liqueur, perfect for sipping on a warm, sunny day.

Photos of Long Beach Iced Tea Recipe

For this recipe, you may need to pay a visit to the liqueur aisle of your supermarket. While vodka, rum, and gin are fairly common, you might need to look a little harder for triple sec and melon liqueur. Triple sec is a type of orange-flavored liqueur, and melon liqueur brings a sweet, fruity flavor. Cranberry juice cocktail is usually available in the juice aisle.

Ingredients for the Long Beach Iced Tea Recipe

Vodka: A clear distilled alcoholic beverage with different varieties originating in Poland and Russia.

Rum: A liquor made by fermenting then distilling sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice.

Gin: A distilled alcoholic drink that derives its predominant flavor from juniper berries.

Triple sec: An orange flavored liqueur used in thousands of mixed drinks and recipes as a sweetening and flavoring agent.

Melon liqueur: A sweet, fruity liqueur that tastes like fresh melons.

Cranberry juice cocktail: A sweet and tart beverage, made from cranberries, sugar, and water.

One reader, Gwenore Arsenault says:

This long beach iced tea recipe is a game-changer! The combination of vodka, rum, gin, and melon liqueur with a splash of cranberry juice creates a refreshing and flavorful drink. It's the perfect blend for a summer day or a fun night out. Highly recommend trying it!

Gwenore Arsenault

Techniques Required

How to prepare Long Beach Iced Tea: This cocktail is prepared by combining equal parts of vodka, rum, gin, triple sec, and melon liqueur over ice, then filling the glass with cranberry juice cocktail. Stir the ingredients to mix them well before serving.

How to build over ice: To build a cocktail over ice, simply add the ingredients directly to the glass filled with ice. Stir the cocktail to ensure that the flavors are well combined and the drink is properly chilled.

How To Make Long Beach Iced Tea

Blend a refreshing summer drink with this Long Beach iced tea made with a splash of five liquors blended with cranberry juice cocktail.

Preparation: 5 minutes

Cooking:

Total: 5 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

1partvodka
1partrum
1partgin
1parttriple sec
1partmelon liqueur
fill with cranberry juice cocktail

Instructions

Build over ice and stir.

Nutrition

Calories: 624.82kcal
Fat: 0.31g
Saturated Fat: 0.11g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.11g
Carbohydrates: 33.49g
Sugar: 33.49g
Protein: 0.10g
Sodium: 10.00mg
Calcium: 1.04mg
Potassium: 32.46mg
Iron: 0.12mg

Technique Tip for Perfecting Your Long Beach Iced Tea

When making your Long Beach Iced Tea, it's important to pour the ingredients in the order listed. This ensures that the heavier ingredients (like the vodka, rum, and gin) are at the bottom, while the lighter ones (like the cranberry juice cocktail) float on top, creating a beautiful layered effect. Remember, don't just dump everything in all at once. Take your time and pour slowly. This will also help to properly mix the flavors.

Time-Saving Tips for Making Long Beach Iced Tea

Plan ahead: Before starting the recipe, gather all the ingredients and equipment needed to avoid last-minute searches.

Multi-task: While one component is cooking, use that time to prepare the next step of the recipe to save time.

Prep in advance: Chop, measure, and prepare ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.

Organize your workspace: Keep your cooking area clean and organized to minimize time spent searching for tools and ingredients.

Follow the recipe: Stick to the recipe to avoid mistakes that could lead to time-consuming fixes.

Use kitchen tools: Utilize kitchen gadgets like food processors and blenders to speed up the prep work.

Clean as you go: Wash dishes and clean up spills while cooking to prevent a big mess at the end.

Time management: Keep an eye on the clock and allocate time for each step of the recipe to stay on track.

Use leftovers: Repurpose leftovers into new dishes to save time on meal prep for the next day.

Minimize distractions: Focus on the cooking process to avoid mistakes that could cost you time.

Substitute Ingredients For Long Beach Iced Tea Recipe

vodka - Substitute with white rum: White rum can provide a similar level of alcohol content and a slightly sweet flavor, which can complement the other spirits in the drink.
rum - Substitute with tequila: Tequila can add a unique flavor profile and a hint of agave sweetness, which can work well with the other ingredients in the Long Beach Iced Tea.
gin - Substitute with vodka: Vodka can provide a neutral spirit base and maintain the alcoholic content of the drink, while allowing the other flavors to shine through.
triple sec - Substitute with orange liqueur: Orange liqueur can offer a similar citrusy sweetness and flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the cocktail.
melon liqueur - Substitute with peach schnapps: Peach schnapps can provide a fruity and sweet flavor, adding a pleasant twist to the cocktail.
cranberry juice cocktail - Substitute with pomegranate juice: Pomegranate juice can offer a similar tartness and depth of flavor, while adding a touch of sweetness to the drink.

Presenting Your Long Beach Iced Tea

Elevate the glassware: Present the Long Beach Iced Tea in a sleek, crystal-clear highball glass to showcase its vibrant colors and layers.
Garnish with flair: Adorn the rim of the glass with a delicate twist of lemon peel and a skewered assortment of fresh berries to add a touch of elegance and freshness to the presentation.
Incorporate a stylish coaster: Place the glass on a chic, marble coaster to add a sophisticated and luxurious touch to the overall presentation.
Utilize ambient lighting: Serve the Long Beach Iced Tea under soft, warm lighting to enhance the drink's inviting and refreshing appearance.
Present with precision: Ensure that the cocktail is poured with precision, allowing the vibrant layers of the drink to be clearly visible, creating an enticing visual appeal.

Essential Tools for Crafting the Perfect Long Beach Iced Tea

Shaker: A shaker is used to mix and chill the ingredients for the Long Beach Iced Tea. It helps to blend the spirits and juices together, creating a well-balanced and refreshing cocktail.
Ice: Ice is essential for chilling the drink and diluting it slightly to achieve the perfect balance of flavors. It also helps to keep the cocktail cold and refreshing.
Jigger: A jigger is used to measure the precise amounts of vodka, rum, gin, triple sec, and melon liqueur for the Long Beach Iced Tea, ensuring that the cocktail has the correct proportions of each ingredient.
Bar spoon: A bar spoon is useful for stirring the cocktail, ensuring that all the ingredients are well combined without over-agitating the drink.
Highball glass: The Long Beach Iced Tea is typically served in a highball glass, which is a tall, narrow glass that can accommodate the cocktail's volume and allows for easy stirring and sipping.

Random Fact About Long Beach Iced Tea

Long Beach Iced Tea is a potent cocktail that contains a mix of spirits, including vodka, rum, gin, and triple sec. Despite its name, it doesn't actually contain any tea. The drink is named after the city of Long Beach, California, and is known for its refreshing and fruity flavor. It's a popular choice for those who enjoy a strong and flavorful mixed drink. Due to its high alcohol content, it's important to consume this cocktail responsibly.

Is Making Long Beach Iced Tea at Home Economical?

This Long Beach Iced Tea recipe may not be the most cost-effective for a household due to the variety of spirits required. However, the versatility of the ingredients in other cocktails or recipes could potentially justify the cost. Considering the use of multiple types of alcohol, the approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $30-$40. As a culinary chef, I would rate this recipe a 7 for its flavor complexity and potential for creativity.

Is Long Beach Iced Tea Healthy or Unhealthy?

The Long Beach Iced Tea recipe is undoubtedly unhealthy due to its high alcohol content and lack of nutritional value. This cocktail contains five different types of liquor, which can quickly lead to excessive alcohol consumption and potential health risks such as liver damage, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Additionally, the cranberry juice cocktail used as a mixer is often loaded with added sugars, further contributing to the drink's unhealthy nature.

To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:

Reduce the amount of alcohol by using smaller portions of each liquor or eliminating some altogether
Replace the cranberry juice cocktail with 100% pure cranberry juice, which has less sugar and more natural nutrients
Add fresh fruit juices, such as orange or pineapple, to increase the vitamin content and natural sweetness
Include a splash of sparkling water or soda water to dilute the alcohol and add hydration
Garnish with fresh fruit slices, such as lemon or lime, to add a pop of color and a slight nutritional boost

Editor's Thoughts on the Long Beach Iced Tea Recipe

This Long Beach Iced Tea recipe is a potent and refreshing cocktail that combines a variety of spirits with the fruity sweetness of cranberry juice. The blend of vodka, rum, gin, triple sec, and melon liqueur creates a complex and balanced flavor profile, while the cranberry juice adds a vibrant hue and a touch of tartness. When served over ice and stirred, this cocktail is perfect for those who enjoy a strong and flavorful drink with a hint of sweetness. It's a great choice for a summer gathering or a relaxing evening at home. Cheers!

Enhance Your Long Beach Iced Tea Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Grilled Pineapple with Chili Lime Glaze: Grilled pineapple slices with a spicy and tangy chili lime glaze, adding a burst of flavor to complement the Long Beach Iced Tea.

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus: Fresh asparagus spears wrapped in crispy bacon, providing a savory and smoky contrast to the refreshing and fruity Long Beach Iced Tea.

Mango Salsa: A vibrant and zesty mango salsa, featuring diced mango, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice, offering a tropical twist to accompany the Long Beach Iced Tea.

Alternative Recipes Similar to Long Beach Iced Tea

Spicy Shrimp Tacos: These tacos are bursting with flavor and heat, perfect for a spicy food lover.

Mango Coconut Chicken Curry: This creamy and tropical curry is a delightful twist on a classic dish, with the sweetness of mango and the richness of coconut.

Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad: Packed with colorful and nutritious roasted vegetables, this quinoa salad is a satisfying and healthy meal option.

Berry Chia Seed Pudding: This refreshing and nutritious pudding is a great way to enjoy the sweetness of berries while getting a boost of omega-3 from chia seeds.

Why trust this Long Beach Iced Tea Recipe:

This recipe is a classic cocktail that has been enjoyed for decades. The combination of vodka, rum, gin, and triple sec creates a well-balanced and flavorful base, while the addition of melon liqueur adds a unique twist. The use of cranberry juice cocktail not only adds a refreshing tartness but also complements the other spirits perfectly. The method of building the drink over ice allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a delicious and satisfying beverage. Trust the time-tested combination of spirits and mixers to deliver a delightful drink experience.

Share your thoughts on the Long Beach Iced Tea Recipe in the Recipe Sharing forum and let us know how it turned out for you!

FAQ:

What is the Long Beach Iced Tea?

The Long Beach Iced Tea is a refreshing and potent cocktail that combines vodka, rum, gin, triple sec, melon liqueur, and cranberry juice cocktail. It's a fruity and flavorful drink with a kick.

Can I use any type of vodka, rum, and gin for this recipe?

Yes, you can use your preferred brands of vodka, rum, and gin. Feel free to experiment with different types to find the combination that suits your taste best.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version of the Long Beach Iced Tea?

While the Long Beach Iced Tea is traditionally an alcoholic cocktail, you can create a non-alcoholic version by substituting the alcohol with lemon-lime soda or a non-alcoholic gin alternative. Just adjust the proportions to balance the flavors.

What can I use as a substitute for melon liqueur?

If you don't have melon liqueur on hand, you can substitute it with a splash of simple syrup and a small amount of melon extract or pureed melon to achieve a similar flavor profile.

Can I prepare the Long Beach Iced Tea in advance for a party?

Yes, you can prepare a large batch of Long Beach Iced Tea in advance and store it in a pitcher in the refrigerator. Just wait to add the ice and stir until you're ready to serve to ensure the freshest taste.