Top Long Island Iced Tea Brands to Elevate Your Cocktail Game!

Long Island Iced Tea is a popular and refreshing cocktail known for its unique blend of spirits, and selecting the right brands can elevate the drinking experience. While there are many options, some brands consistently stand out for quality and taste. For vodka, Tito's or Smirnoff are often preferred for their smooth finish. When it comes to gin, Bombay Sapphire or Tanqueray offer a crisp touch, and for rum, Bacardi or Captain Morgan provide a robust flavor. Consider exploring these brands to craft a delicious Long Island Iced Tea, and check out the list below to discover more top choices.

Illustration of long island iced tea

Best brands of long island iced tea in 2025

Tanqueray Gin

Tanqueray Gin, founded by Charles Tanqueray in 1830, is a prestigious brand ideal for crafting a Long Island Iced Tea due to its high quality and distinct botanicals, including juniper, coriander, angelica root, and liquorice. With its London Dry Gin recipe, which has been a standard for nearly 200 years, Tanqueray offers various strengths such as 47.3% ABV in the US and 43.1% ABV in the UK. The brand's commitment to quality and its production at the Cameronbridge Distillery in Scotland ensure a consistent and superior taste. Tanqueray's versatility and robust flavor profile make it an excellent choice for mixing in cocktails like the Long Island Iced Tea. As one of Diageo's key strategic brands, Tanqueray continues to be a top seller globally. For more details, explore their offerings on the Diageo Bar Academy website.

Smirnoff Vodka

Smirnoff Vodka, the world's biggest-selling vodka brand, is a prime choice for crafting Long Island Iced Tea due to its high quality and versatility. In 2022, Smirnoff sold 28.1 million cases, marking a 6% increase from the previous year, solidifying its position as a leader in the vodka market. This brand's growth is partly attributed to its popularity in cocktail recipes, including the Long Island Iced Tea, which typically contains around 22% alcohol content. Smirnoff's global reach and partnerships, such as with Live Nation, further enhance its appeal in social drinking cultures. Its consistent performance makes it an ideal base for this potent and popular cocktail.

Bacardi Rum

Bacardi Rum is renowned for its high-quality ingredients and rich history, making it an ideal choice for crafting a Long Island Iced Tea. Founded in 1862 by Don Facundo Bacardi Masso, Bacardi has evolved into a global brand, producing rum in several countries including Mexico and Puerto Rico, with the latter housing the world's largest premium rum distillery. Bacardi's commitment to quality is evident in its numerous awards, surpassing 1000 accolades worldwide. The brand's readiness to adapt, such as producing hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrates its resilience and dedication. With its premium rum as a base, Bacardi's Ready-To-Serve Island Tea offers a convenient and flavorful alternative to traditional Long Island Iced Tea recipes.

Cointreau Triple Sec

Cointreau Triple Sec is a premium orange-flavored liqueur that stands out as a crucial component in the Long Island Iced Tea, offering a balanced bitter citrus and sweet flavor profile with a hint of toasty spices. Produced by Remy Cointreau, Cointreau has been a benchmark since its introduction in 1875, with a 40% alcohol by volume and a rich history of quality production. It is made from the finest sweet and bitter orange peels and is recognized for its exceptional richness of over 40 aromas. Cointreau's unique production methods, involving maceration, infusion, and distillation, ensure a perfectly balanced cocktail. With over 13 million bottles sold annually in more than 150 countries, Cointreau is a global leader in orange liqueurs. For more information about their liqueur, visit their official website.

Jose Cuervo Tequila

Jose Cuervo is a highly recommended tequila brand for crafting a Long Island Iced Tea, known for its strong, spicy, and smooth flavor profile. This tequila, particularly Jose Cuervo Gold, adds a balanced spicy and sweet taste to the cocktail, making it a top pick among bartenders. With its 100% agave content, Jose Cuervo ensures a high-quality and authentic tequila experience. The brand's history dates back to 1795, solidifying its reputation as a reliable choice for cocktails. Its inclusion in a Long Island Iced Tea enhances the drink's complex flavor profile and potency.

Absolut Vodka

Absolut Vodka is a prominent brand often used in the preparation of Long Island Iced Teas due to its high quality and global recognition. With over 11.9 million 9-liter cases sold in 2023, Absolut maintains a significant presence in the vodka market, despite facing competition from brands like Smirnoff and Tito's Handmade Vodka. Absolut's sales have shown resilience, recovering from a pandemic-induced dip in 2020. The brand's versatility and wide range of flavors make it a favorite among bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts. Absolut's global sales volume has consistently been strong, with a 3.6% increase from 2011 to 2012, highlighting its enduring popularity.

Bombay Sapphire Gin

Bombay Sapphire Gin is renowned for its smooth and balanced flavor, making it an ideal choice for crafting a Long Island Iced Tea. With its 40% ABV, this premium gin adds a sophisticated twist to the classic cocktail. Since its introduction in 1987, Bombay Sapphire has been a favorite among mixologists for its versatility and distinct botanicals. The gin's citrus and floral notes complement the other spirits and ingredients in a Long Island Iced Tea, enhancing the overall flavor profile. For those seeking a high-quality gin to elevate their cocktail game, Bombay Sapphire is a top recommendation.

Captain Morgan Rum

Captain Morgan, a renowned rum brand, has solidified its position as a top producer of Long Island Iced Tea cocktails, offering a blend of rum, vodka, whiskey, gin, and triple-sec liqueur. The brand's Long Island Iced Tea cocktail, available in various formats, including ready-to-drink (RTD) cans and bottles, has been a staple since its introduction. In 2021, Captain Morgan launched RTD pre-mixed cocktails in 1.75-liter bottles, and more recently, it expanded into malt-based beverages with the Captain Morgan Sliced line. These cocktails typically have an alcohol content of around 17% or 5.8% ABV for the malt-based versions. The brand's commitment to innovation and consumer preferences has made it a leader in the growing canned spirits market.

Patrón Tequila

Patron Tequila is a renowned brand that excels in crafting premium spirits, making it an ideal choice for creating a Long Island Iced Tea. Their Reposado tequila, with its smooth and rich flavor profile, adds a sophisticated twist to this classic cocktail. In the Long Island Mexican Iced Tea recipe, Patron Reposado is combined with other high-quality spirits like Grey Goose Vodka and Bacardi Gold, along with Citronge Orange Liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup, all topped with cola. This blend showcases the brand's commitment to quality and flavor balance. With a 40% alcohol content, Patron Tequila ensures a potent yet refined drinking experience. You can find the complete recipe for Long Island Mexican Iced Tea on their website here.

Grand Marnier Liqueur

Grand Marnier is a renowned orange liqueur that is often used in the Long Island Iced Tea recipe, adding a rich and complex flavor profile. Introduced in 1880, Grand Marnier is a blend of cognac, sugar, and the peel of bitter and sweet oranges, making it a premium choice for this cocktail. With its 40% ABV, it contributes significantly to the drink's potency. The combination of Grand Marnier with other spirits like vodka, gin, tequila, and rum creates a balanced and refreshing taste. Its use in a Long Island Iced Tea is a testament to its versatility and quality.