This Ocean Blue Long Island Iced Tea is a vibrant blue cocktail that boasts a tangy, citrusy taste and has less alcohol than you might anticipate: ready in merely 5 minutes! Discover the ingredients, substitution ideas, and how to prepare a pitcher version for a group.
There’s an almost captivating quality about a blue beverage: do you sense it too? For some reason, I’ve always been drawn to drinks of this hue, and this one is surprisingly fresh and sweet-tart: the Ocean Blue Long Island, also known as Blue Long Island Iced Tea! Naturally, the classic Long Island Iced Tea has gained a reputation for being a lowbrow, high-alcohol drink.
However, this recipe truly offers a refreshing, intricate flavor profile while containing less alcohol than many cocktails! It features blue curacao for its ocean-like color, alongside a delightful citrusy taste. It’s among my favorite blue beverages!
Components for a Blue Long Island Iced Tea
The Long Island Iced Tea is a highball cocktail that combines cola with five distinct liquors: vodka, tequila, rum, gin, and orange liqueur. The name originates from its appearance: when mixed, the drink turns brown, resembling iced tea. It was probably created in 1972 by a bartender in Long Island, New York, and went on to be a well-liked cocktail on the International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktail list.
A Blue Long Island Iced Tea, also referred to as Blue Long Island for brevity, replaces the orange liqueur with blue curacao. Blue curacao is a variety of orange liqueur with a brilliant blue color, produced on the island of Curacao. In this recipe, cola is also substituted with ginger ale, providing a lighter hue. You will need:
– Vodka
– Tequila
– White rum
– Gin
– Blue curacao
– Lemon juice
– Ginger ale
Tip: The key ingredient is, of course, blue curacao. If you lack the other ingredients, that’s alright! Continue reading for more on this signature spirit and potential substitutes for the others.
Focus on Blue Curacao
What is the most critical element of any blue cocktail, including the Blue Long Island? Blue curacao! This gives the drink its striking blue shade. Here’s what you should know:
– Blue curacao is an artificially colored orange liqueur created by Dutch settlers on the island of Curaçao. There are various colors of Curaçao: currently, the most common are clear and blue. Blue curacao has been available since 1912 and is flavored with the Laraha orange peel, a unique orange that grows on the island.
– How to pronounce Curaçao? Say it Cure-ah-souw.
– What is the flavor profile of blue curacao? It has a sweet orange peel essence, with a subtle bitter aftertaste.
– What is the cost? Blue curacao is budget-friendly; a 750 ml bottle typically costs around $10. Opt for a mid-range brand; we recommend Drillaud (avoid DeKuyper).
– What else can you use it in? Numerous blue cocktails! Create a Blue Margarita, Blue Hawaii, Aqua Velva, or Blue Lagoon.
How to Prepare a Blue Long Island Iced Tea
Once you gather all the ingredients, the Blue Long Island is assembled in a snap! The flavors are incredibly fresh and delightful. This beverage contains only 2.5 ounces of alcohol, making it less potent than you might expect! It resembles many of my 300+ cocktails, particularly other highball drinks. Here’s the process (or scroll down to the recipe):
1. Combine: Pour the vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, blue curacao, and lemon juice into a highball glass.
2. Ice and stir: Fill the glass with ice and stir well.
3. Top and garnish: Add ginger ale and complete with a lemon wedge.
Can You Swap the Liquors?
The Blue Long Island Iced Tea is a sort of kitchen sink beverage. It utilizes nearly everything from the liquor cabinet! Fortunately, you don’t need all the ingredients to craft a tasty BLIIT. Here are some substitution pointers:
– Vodka, tequila, or gin: Omit one of these and double one of the other liquors. For instance, if you don’t have gin, double the tequila. Aim to have at least three of the four primary liquors if possible. Two of the four may also suffice.
– White rum: If white rum isn’t available, consider using aged rum. Dark rum may also be an option, but note that it will alter the drink’s color!
The Ideal Ginger Ale to Use
The ginger ale contributes to a wonderfully fresh Blue Long Island Iced Tea. In fact, I prefer it to the classic version of the drink!