Texas Roadhouse Long Island Iced Tea Recipe

That deep amber color makes me think of a classic glass of iced tea. But this Texas Roadhouse Long Island Iced Tea is much more than that.

I like how several spirits come together with citrus, sweetness, and cola in one glass. Each ingredient has a role, so keeping the right balance is important. The Texas Roadhouse version has a bold restaurant-style flavor that makes the iced tea special.

In my copycat Texas Roadhouse Long Island Iced Tea Recipe, I keep the ingredients simple and the measurements clear.

This helps create a smooth and well-balanced drink without making the recipe hard to follow.

What Is Texas Roadhouse Long Island Iced Tea

Despite its name, this classic cocktail contains no tea. It is an alcoholic mixed drink made with five spirits, citrus, and cola, then served over ice in a tall glass.

The “Long Island” name refers to Long Island, New York, which is widely linked to the drink’s origin. “Iced tea” describes its appearance, not its ingredients. Cola and lemon give the drink its familiar brown-gold color.

Texas Roadhouse has its own version, often called L.I.T. (Long Island Iced Tea), and the exact recipe can vary from place to place.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Texas Roadhouse Long Island Iced Tea

I keep the ingredient list simple with measurements from my copycat-style version. The recipe uses five spirits along with lemon juice, simple syrup, cola, ice, and a lemon wedge.

Spirits:

• Vodka – Use ¾ ounce vodka for a clean spirit base. A plain vodka works well because it does not add a strong flavor of its own. I prefer a smooth, basic vodka rather than a flavored one. A citrus vodka can work as a swap, but it will give the drink a stronger lemon note.

• Gin – Add ¾ ounce gin for a light herbal taste. A mild London dry gin works well here because the other ingredients stay noticeable. Avoid a very strong botanical gin, as it can cover the citrus and cola. A softer gin is an easy swap when needed.

• Rum – Use ¾ ounce white rum for a mild sweetness and smooth finish. White rum keeps the color and flavor clean. Dark rum can be used, but it will give the drink a deeper flavor and darker color. I stick with white rum for a closer copycat-style drink.

• Tequila – Measure ¾ ounce tequila. A blanco tequila is a good choice because it has a fresh, clean taste. I would not use an aged tequila here because its deeper notes can change the drink. A mild silver tequila also works well.

• Triple Sec – Add ¾ ounce triple sec for an orange note and a little extra sweetness. It helps connect the spirits with the lemon and cola. Cointreau can work as a swap, though it has a stronger orange flavor and may change the sweetness slightly.

Mixers & Garnish:

• Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice – Use ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice for a bright, sharp citrus taste. Fresh juice gives the drink a cleaner flavor than bottled juice. Lime juice can replace part or all of it, but the drink will taste more tart and have a different citrus profile.

• Simple Syrup – Add ¾ ounce simple syrup to soften the sharp citrus and balance the spirits. I use a basic equal-parts sugar and water syrup. Honey syrup can work in a pinch, but it adds its own flavor. Start with the measured amount and adjust only after tasting.

• Ice – Fill your glass with fresh ice before adding the drink. Solid ice chills the cocktail and gives it some needed dilution. I prefer large, firm cubes because they melt more slowly. Crushed ice can work, but it will melt faster and may water the drink down.

• Coca-Cola – Top the glass with Coca-Cola to taste. The cola gives the drink its familiar amber color and adds sweetness and fizz. I add it after the spirits and citrus are in the glass so I can control the final balance. Another cola can work, but the flavor will change.

• Lemon Wedge – Finish with 1 lemon wedge. It adds a fresh citrus aroma and gives the drink a simple, finished presentation. A lime wedge can be used when needed, but lemon keeps the flavor closer to the recipe.

How to Make a Texas Roadhouse Long Island at Home

I like making this drink right in the serving glass because it keeps the process quick and cuts down on extra dishes. The main thing to watch is the measuring.

With several spirits going into one glass, small changes can quickly affect the final taste.

1. Fill the Glass With Fresh Ice

Choose a glass and fill it with ice. I like to fill the glass well. The cold temperature helps soften the strong alcohol flavors. Use solid ice rather than ice that has already started melting in the freezer.

2. Measure and Add the Spirits

Measure ¾ ounce each of vodka, gin, white rum, tequila, and triple sec. Pour each one directly into the ice-filled glass.

Keeping the pours equal is important here. Five spirits can easily become too strong when the measurements are guessed. I use a jigger so every pour stays close to ¾ ounce.

The glass may look quite strong at this point, but that is normal. The lemon juice, simple syrup, cola, and ice will balance the mixture.

3. Add the Lemon Juice and Simple Syrup

Pour in ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice and ¾ ounce simple syrup.

The lemon adds the sharp citrus note, while the syrup softens that sharpness. Pour both over the spirits and ice. There is no need to stir hard yet.

Give the mixture a quick look before adding the cola. It should have a clear, light color at this stage. The darker amber shade comes from the cola.

4. Top With Coca-Cola

Slowly add Coca-Cola to taste. I usually pour enough to give the drink its classic iced-tea color while leaving some room in the glass.

Pouring slowly helps keep the fizz under control. You can always add more cola, but you cannot easily remove it once it is in the glass.

This is also the point where I pay attention to sweetness. Too much cola can make the drink heavy and sweet, while too little can leave the spirits and lemon tasting too sharp.

5. Stir Gently and Add the Lemon Wedge

Use a bar spoon to stir the drink gently until the ingredients are mixed. A few slow turns are enough to keep the cola fizzy.

Garnish with a lemon wedge and serve cold.

My Tips for a Well-Balanced Long Island Iced Tea

A few simple details can make a real difference in the final drink. These are the small tips I keep in mind to get the flavor balanced and the drink tasting right.

1. Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon gives the drink a clean citrus taste and helps balance the sweetness.

2. Add Cola to Taste: Start with a small pour and add more as needed. Too much cola can make the drink overly sweet.

3. Go Easy on the Syrup: The cola and triple sec already add sweetness, so avoid adding extra syrup before tasting.

4. Stir Gently: A few slow turns are enough to mix the drink. Gentle stirring also helps keep the cola fizzy.

What Can Go Wrong When Making This Drink and How to Fix It

I pay close attention to balance with this drink because several small changes can affect the final glass. Most problems are easy to fix once you know what caused them.

Too Sweet – Start by checking the amount of simple syrup and cola. Too much of both can make the drink heavy. Reduce the syrup next time and add a small amount of fresh lemon juice to the current glass. Avoid adding more cola because it will increase the sweetness.

Too Sour – Too much lemon juice or not enough sweetener can make the drink sharp. Add a small amount of simple syrup and stir gently. Taste again before adding more. I prefer making small changes because a little syrup can change the balance quickly.

Too Watery – Warm ingredients and soft ice can speed up melting. Chill your ingredients before mixing and use fresh, firm ice. Once the drink is ready, serve it soon instead of letting it sit for a long time. That keeps the flavor cleaner and the texture more refreshing.

How to Serve Texas Roadhouse Long Island Iced Tea

I like to serve this drink right after mixing it. The cold ice, fresh lemon, and fizzy cola give it the best flavor when everything is freshly combined.

Serve the drink cold in a tall highball or hurricane glass with plenty of ice. When making more than one glass, measure the spirits, syrup, and lemon juice before you start so each drink stays consistent. Salty sides, such as pretzels or chips, pair nicely with the citrus and cola.

Avoid letting the drink sit at room temperature for too long. As the ice melts and the cola loses its fizz, the flavor becomes weaker and more watery.

Storing Long Island Iced Tea Without Losing Its Flavor

I do not recommend storing a fully mixed Long Island Iced Tea for more than 1 day. The cola loses its fizz, the ice melts, and the drink becomes diluted.

For the best result, mix only what you plan to serve. You can combine the measured spirits, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a sealed container and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Add the cola and ice just before serving.

Avoid freezing the finished cocktail. For leftovers that already contain cola, refrigerate and use within 24 hours for the best flavor.

Texas Roadhouse Long Island Iced Tea Recipe FAQs

A few questions come up often with a drink like this because the name can be confusing and the ingredient list looks longer than a standard mixed drink. Here are the details I find most useful.

1. Does Texas Roadhouse Long Island Iced Tea contain actual tea?

No. Despite the name, there is no brewed black tea or iced tea in this cocktail. The drink gets its iced-tea appearance from the cola, citrus, ice, and amber color. The name describes how the finished drink looks rather than what is inside the glass. That is also why the drink can look like ordinary iced tea at first glance.

2. Is Long Island Iced Tea stronger than a regular cocktail?

Yes, it’s noticeably stronger than most mixed drinks since it combines five different spirits in one glass instead of just one or two. Each spirit only measures 3/4 ounce, but added together, that’s a solid amount of alcohol in a single serving. The cola and citrus mask the taste of the alcohol well, which is part of why people underestimate how strong this drink really is.

3. How do I make my own simple syrup?

It’s easy. Combine equal parts white sugar and water (e.g., 1 cup each) in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Let it cool before using. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For a richer flavor, use demerara or turbinado sugar – just note it will add a slight molasses note.

4. Can I add fruit flavors or infusions?

Yes, but adjust carefully. For berry flavor, muddle raspberries or blackberries before adding spirits. For peach, add ½ ounce peach schnapps and reduce triple sec. For heat, add a thin jalapeño slice. Any added flavor may require adjusting simple syrup or lemon juice, so start small and taste frequently.

5. Why does my drink look cloudy instead of amber?

Cloudiness usually comes from bottled lemon juice with pulp, stirring too aggressively, or using crushed ice that melts quickly. Fix it by using fresh-squeezed, strained lemon juice, stirring gently, and using firm ice cubes. The result should be a clear, deep amber color like brewed iced tea.

This Texas Roadhouse Long Island Iced Tea Recipe gives me that same bold flavor at home. Measuring each ingredient carefully helps a lot with the final drink.

Try it today, and let me know how your glass turns out.