Best Long Island Iced Tea on Long Island
By Chris Mellides
Whether you’re out with a small group of friends raising hell at your favorite Long Island bar oryou’re joining a mob of partiers on a night out pub crawling, there’s sure to be at least a few bar patrons clamoring for Long Island’s namesake adult libation: the Long Island Iced Tea.
Rocketing in popularity during the 1970s, the Long Island Iced Tea has been a barroom staple ever since and while its origins aren’t fully known, the one thing you can count on is that this popular drink is as tasty as it is boozy.
It’s storiedthat the Long Island Iced Tea was birthed during the Prohibition-era where bootleggers transported the sweet concoction under the radar and away from the prodding eyes of law enforcement.
However, the cocktail could very well have originated at a bar somewhere on the Island some 50 years ago. Either way, it’s clear that this cocktail won’t be going away anytime soon.
This complex drink combines vodka, rum, tequila and gin, along with triple sec, simple syrup, lemon juice and cola topped with a lemon wedge for good measure. The Long Island Iced Tea is a head-scratcher on paper;however, the four hard liquors coalesce well with the remaining ingredientsand create a surprisingly balanced and tasty alcoholic drink.
Regardless of its origin, the Long Island Iced Tea is celebrated by Long Islanders and is served at bars aplenty.The question is: What Long Island bar serves up the best rendition of this classic cocktail? That’s hard to say, but the following bars and restaurants are among those that bar patrons seem to recommend in earnest.
Located in Plainview, The Main Event is a sports-themed restaurant and bar that entertains guests with 50 flat screen TVs and boasts a menu comprised of some of the best surf and turf the Island has to offer. The bar offers a menu consisting of hundreds of ales and microbrews, and let’s not forget about their Long Island Iced Tea!
With a rich history that dates back to the late 1800s, Claudio’s Tavern has undergone numerous changes since its founder Manuel Claudio first broke ground in Greenport in 1870. Known for its fine dining, Claudio’s also has a fantastic selection of beers and spirits including the bar’s own take on the famous Long Island Iced Tea.
With a location in Huntington, Prime’s dedication to serving some of the best modern American cuisine available has been a cornerstone of the establishment’s success. Boasting an exquisite lounge, complete with a cozy fireplace and leather furniture along with an outdoor firepit, Prime is also a go-to destination while on the hunt for Long Island’s best Long Island Iced Tea!
Dark Horse Tavern was established in 2014 and quickly rose in popularity at its location in the heart of Farmingdale.With its ever-changing 28 craft beer draft lines and fine hand-made cocktails, Dark Horse also has an expansive food menu that includes wings, burgers, tacos and more.Patrons can enjoy their food and drink whilewatching the game on any one of the tavern’s 16 big screen TVs.Make sure to ask for a Long Island Iced Tea while enjoying all that this bar has to offer.
Combining the best in food, drink and live entertainment, Mulcahy’s of Wantagh has a lot to offer patrons. With a dining menu consisting of appetizers and a selection of vegetarian, chicken, fish and beef dishes, Mulcahy’s is also well known for its inclusion of a robust menu of beer, wine and classic cocktails. Next time you find yourself there, try the bar’s version ofthe Long Island Iced Tea and see how it stacks up among the rest.