Description

What it is: A vivid green Long Island Iced Tea variation built from five spirits, melon liqueur, lime and lemon-lime soda.

The story: Tokyo Iced Tea is part of the large Long Island Iced Tea family rather than a drink with a securely documented single inventor. Its defining change is green melon liqueur, which gives the drink both its colour and an unexpectedly clear melon note despite the crowded spirit base.

Why it works: Rum, gin, vodka, tequila and triple sec provide strength, lime keeps the drink sharp, and melon liqueur supplies the recognisable sweet-green fruit note. Lemon-lime soda lengthens the drink and makes it more approachable.

Ingredients

15 ml White rum
15 ml Gin
15 ml Vodka
15 ml Reposado tequila
15 ml Triple Sec
15 ml Green melon liqueur
30 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
Lemon-lime soda to top
1 piece Lemon peel

Equipment needed

Cocktail Shaker – For chilling the multi-spirit citrus base. Bar Spoon – For one gentle stir after topping with soda.

Instructions

Fill a tall Collins glass with fresh cubed ice and prepare a lemon wheel.
Add white rum, gin, vodka, reposado tequila, triple sec, melon liqueur and fresh lime juice to a shaker with ice.
Shake briefly but firmly to chill the alcoholic base.
Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
Top with chilled lemon-lime soda and give one brief stir.
Garnish with the lemon wheel and serve with a straw if preferred.

Recommended glassware

Collins Glass (recommended)

A tall straight-sided glass perfect for long refreshing cocktails.

300–410 ml Tall, straight-sided, narrower than a highball.

Best for: Mojito, Tom Collins, Paloma, Gin Fizz, long refreshing cocktails.

Garnish: Excellent for mint sprigs, lime wedges, citrus wheels, and straws.

Tokyo Iced Tea recipe.