Miami Iced Tea

What is Miami Iced Tea?

The Miami Iced Tea is a tropical Florida-themed variation of the classic Long Island Iced Tea, the legendary multi-spirit cocktail popularised in the 1970s by Robert "Rosebud" Butt at the Oak Beach Inn on Long Island, New York. The original drink's formula of vodka, gin, tequila, white rum, and triple sec with citrus and a cola float became one of the most influential cocktail templates of the late 20th century, generating an entire family of regional variations as bartenders across the country adapted the structure for different flavours and aesthetics. The Miami Iced Tea takes that template and transforms it through three significant changes: tequila is removed entirely from the spirit base, peach schnapps replaces it as the fifth ingredient, and the cola float is replaced with cranberry juice and a splash of lemon-lime soda. The substitutions are not arbitrary: the peach schnapps adds the distinctive stone-fruit sweetness associated with Miami's tropical and South Florida flavour identity, while the cranberry juice produces the vivid pink-red colour that gives the drink its beach-party visual appeal. The result is a noticeably lighter, fruitier, and more vibrant version of the Long Island that fits the Miami theme considerably more naturally than the original cola-topped formula.

What makes this cocktail especially fun is its balance. The layered spirits provide strength and complexity, while the cranberry juice and peach schnapps soften the edges with juicy sweetness. If you enjoy colorful party cocktails like the Bahama Mama or Electric Lemonade, you’ll probably love this one too.

Don't forget to see what other drinks you can make with the ingredients you already have in your bar.

Taste profile

The Miami Iced Tea drinks considerably more fruit-forward and tropical than its Long Island Iced Tea ancestor, with a balance that prioritises sweetness and refreshment over the spirit-forward character of the original. Cranberry juice provides the dominant flavour: tart, slightly bitter red-fruit character that shapes the drink's identity and produces the vivid pink-red colour. Peach schnapps adds a soft, candy-sweet stone-fruit element that integrates beautifully with the cranberry, creating a layered fruit profile that no single juice could deliver alone. The four base spirits (vodka, gin, white rum, and Cointreau or triple sec) collectively provide the alcoholic backbone without any single one asserting itself: the spirit blend is meant to support the fruit flavours rather than compete with them. Sweet and sour mix delivers the citrus tartness that ties everything together, while the lemon-lime soda adds carbonation and a final citrus lift on the finish. The overall flavour is sweet-tart, fruity, and refreshingly drinkable, with the alcohol content disguised more thoroughly than in any other drink in the Long Island family.

Serving suggestions

Use Cointreau rather than generic triple sec where budget allows: the difference is genuinely noticeable in a multi-spirit drink where each ingredient must contribute meaningfully to the overall balance. Cointreau's cleaner, more authentic orange peel character integrates with the peach schnapps and cranberry far more elegantly than cheaper alternatives. Build directly in a tall highball or hurricane glass over fresh ice rather than shaking the entire drink, which preserves the carbonation from the lemon-lime soda. Pour all five spirits, the cranberry juice, and the sweet and sour mix over ice first, give a brief stir to combine, then top with the lemon-lime soda last. A fresh peach slice on the rim is the most thematically appropriate garnish, while a maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick reinforces the pink-red colour scheme and adds a final visual element that photographs particularly well. Despite tasting lighter than the cola-based Long Island, the Miami Iced Tea contains four spirits plus peach schnapps in a single glass, which approaches two standard drinks of alcohol. Pace your sips and serve with food, especially at outdoor events where heat and dehydration can amplify the alcohol's effects.

Why You'll Love It?

Ingredients for Miami Iced Tea

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Step‑by‑Step Instructions

1. Fill a tall highball glass with fresh ice.
2. Add gin, rum, vodka, peach schnapps, triple sec, sour mix, and cranberry juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
3. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds until chilled.
4. Strain into the prepared glass, and top with a splash of lemon-lime soda.