Texas Tea
The bigger, bolder, bourbon-fueled cousin of the Long Island Iced Tea. With six spirits and a fresh sour mix, it epitomizes the 'everything is bigger in Texas' philosophy while maintaining surprising balance when crafted with quality ingredients.
22%
ABV
medium
Difficulty
collins
Glass
History & Heritage
“The Texas Tea was created by TGI Fridays in 1980 as part of a series of variations on their popular Long Island Iced Tea, introduced to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their parent company, Carlson. The cocktail added a sixth spirit—bourbon whiskey—to the already formidable Long Island formula, playing on the "everything is bigger in Texas" trope. It became a symbol of 1980s excess and the "disco drinks" era, characterized by potent, sweet, and visually appealing cocktails designed for high-energy social settings.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
1 oz
0.5 oz
2 oz
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a 12-14 oz Collins or Highball glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes
In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, gin, rum, tequila, bourbon, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup
Fill the shaker two-thirds full with high-quality, solid ice cubes
Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds until the shaker is frosty to the touch
Fill the chilled glass with fresh, solid ice cubes
Strain the contents of the shaker into the glass
Gently pour Mexican Coca-Cola over the back of a bar spoon to float it on top
Garnish with a lemon wheel and mint sprig
Glassware
Served in a 12-14 oz Collins or Highball glass to accommodate the volume and showcase the iced-tea color
Garnish
Thinly slice a fresh lemon wheel
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use fresh lemon juice and simple syrup instead of bottled sour mix for a cleaner taste
Shake vigorously with good ice to achieve proper dilution and temperature
Serve immediately while ice-cold and cola is still effervescent
Mexican Coca-Cola made with cane sugar provides better flavor than corn syrup versions
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Texas Tea.
Stronger Pour
Full ounce of each spirit for maximum potency (not recommended for balance)
Changes
Tart Version
3:2 ratio of lemon juice to simple syrup for more citrus-forward profile
Changes
Rye Texas Tea
Uses rye whiskey instead of bourbon for a spicier, drier profile
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Long Island Iced Tea
Equal parts vodka, gin, rum, tequila and triple sec shaken with lemon and cola for a famously boozy "iced" tea.
Long Beach Iced Tea
A cranberry‑tinted LIIT—vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, lemon and cranberry over ice.
Appletini
A neon-green vodka martini flavored with sour apple schnapps – sweet, tart, and playful.