Long Ireland Iced Tea

Picture a packed kitchen before a party really starts. Someone is picking the music, someone is opening chips, and you are standing there thinking, “I need a drink that looks fun and keeps the mood up.” That is where the Long Ireland Iced Tea comes in. It is bright green, bubbly, and built for a good time, especially if you love bold cocktails.

I love this one because it feels like a playful twist on the classic Long Island Iced Tea. Instead of cola, you get melon liqueur and Sprite, plus a splash of orange and sour mix that gives it a sweet-tart kick. It looks loud in the glass, but it still tastes balanced when you build it right.

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Why You’ll Love This

Long Ireland Iced Tea is a party drink with real flavor. It is fizzy, fruity, and strong, but it does not taste harsh when you use decent spirits and shake it well. The melon liqueur gives it that bright green color and a sweet finish that makes it easy to sip.

• It looks amazing: That green hue stands out on any drink table.
• Built for parties: Quick to mix and easy to serve in a tall glass.
• Sweet-tart balance: Sour mix and orange juice keep it from tasting flat.
• Bubbly finish: Sprite adds a bright, refreshing lift.
• Customizable: You can dial sweetness up or down easily.
• A fun conversation starter: People always ask what it is.

If you want cocktails that feel festive and playful, this one fits right in.

Ingredients

This drink works because it follows the “Long Island” idea of using small pours of multiple spirits, then balancing them with citrus and something bubbly. The melon liqueur is the star here. It brings the color and the signature flavor, while orange juice and sour mix pull everything together.

Here is the standard build for one tall drink. If you like your drinks sweeter or stronger, you can tweak the mixers or bump one spirit slightly.

• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz rum
• 1 oz tequila
• 2 oz melon liqueur
• 2 oz orange juice
• 2 oz sour mix
• 2 oz Sprite
• A mini Jameson bottle optional

Ingredient notes:

Fresh orange juice makes the drink taste brighter. Sour mix is where you control sweetness. If your sour mix is very sweet, start with 3/4 oz and add more only if you need it. Sprite should be used as a topper, not half the drink, or it can wash out the flavor.

Warning: This is a strong cocktail. Even though it tastes fruity and easy to sip, it has multiple spirits in it, so pace yourself.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

Because there are several base spirits in one glass, quality matters. You do not need top shelf, but avoid anything that tastes harsh, since it will show up in the final drink.

• Melon liqueur: Midori is the classic choice and gives the cleanest bright green color. If you use another melon liqueur, taste it first since sweetness varies.
• Vodka: Tito’s, Absolut, or Smirnoff are solid mixing picks.
• Gin: Beefeater, Bombay Sapphire, or Tanqueray work well without overpowering the drink.
• White rum: Bacardi Superior or Don Q Cristal are clean and easy.
• Tequila: A blanco tequila like Espolòn or Olmeca Altos keeps it crisp.
• Sub for sour mix: Use fresh lemon and lime juice plus simple syrup. It tastes fresher and gives you better control.

If you do not have Sprite, any lemon-lime soda works. If you want it less sweet, use soda water with a small splash of lemon-lime soda.

Equipment and Glassware

This is a shaker drink, and shaking is important because it blends sour mix smoothly and chills the spirits fast. A tall glass keeps it classic and gives the green color room to show off.

You will need:

• Cocktail Shaker
• Jigger
• Strainer
• Highball Glass

Optional but helpful:

• Citrus juicer (if using fresh orange juice)
• Clear ice block tray (for a slower melt and a cleaner look)

Tip: Chill the glass if you have time. A cold highball helps the drink stay crisp longer.

How to Make It

This cocktail is simple, but the order matters if you care about the look. Shaking the base with mixers, then topping with Sprite, keeps the drink bright and fizzy.

1. Fill your shaker halfway with ice.
   Use enough ice to chill fast.
2. Add the spirits and melon liqueur.
   Pour into the shaker:
   • 1/2 oz vodka
   • 1/2 oz gin
   • 1/2 oz white rum
   • 1/2 oz tequila
   • 1/2 oz melon liqueur
3. Add orange juice and sour mix.
   Add:
   • 1 oz orange juice
   • 1 oz sour mix
4. Shake hard until well mixed.
   Shake for 10 to 15 seconds. You want it very cold and fully blended.
5. Fill a highball glass with ice.
   A clear ice block looks great and melts slowly, but regular ice works too.
6. Strain into the glass.
   Pour the shaker contents over the ice.
7. Top with Sprite for fizz.
   Add Sprite slowly and stop when the drink tastes balanced. You want bubbles, not a watered-down soda drink.
8. Optional: add the mini Jameson bottle.
   If you are using it for presentation, slide it in last. If you actually plan to pour it in, do it gently.

Wrap-up: If the green looks cloudy, it is usually too much soda or the drink got stirred too much. Keep the Sprite as a topper and skip extra stirring.

Pro Tips

This drink can taste amazing or overly sweet depending on small choices. These tips help you get the best balance and keep the color clean.

• Use fresh orange juice: It adds a brighter, cleaner citrus flavor.
• Chill your glass: A cold glass keeps the drink colder longer.
• Midori is the safe pick: It gives the most consistent melon flavor and color.
• Use a clear ice block: It looks great and melts slowly.
• Shake hard: A strong shake helps the sour mix blend smoothly with the spirits.
• Adjust sour mix to taste: Start with 3/4 oz if you prefer less sweetness.
• Add Jameson last: It can cloud the green hue if you pour it in early.
• Do not overdo Sprite: Too much soda can wash out the flavor and make it taste flat.

Once you have your preferred balance, write it down. This is one of those cocktails where your “perfect version” becomes your house recipe.

Variations

You can take the Long Ireland Iced Tea in a few directions depending on what you want. These changes keep the same fun vibe but shift the flavor.

• Light version: Use soda water instead of Sprite, then add a small splash of Sprite for just a hint of sweetness.
• Extra melon version: Add an extra 1/4 oz melon liqueur and reduce sour mix slightly.
• Citrus-forward version: Add a squeeze of fresh lime after straining for more bite.
• Frozen party version: Blend the ingredients with ice for a slushy-style drink. Top with a splash of Sprite if you want bubbles.
• No-alcohol version: Mix orange juice, sour mix, a splash of melon syrup, and top with Sprite. Serve over ice and garnish the same way.

If you are making a batch, the light version is a smart choice because it stays refreshing longer.

When to Serve and Pairings

This is a party cocktail, so it pairs best with snacks and casual food. It is great when you are serving a crowd and want one signature drink that feels fun right away.

Best times to serve it:

• St. Patrick’s Day parties
• Birthdays and house parties
• Game day and watch parties
• Summer hangouts
• Pre-dinner drinks before a big night out

Pair it with:

• Nachos and queso
• Wings
• Sliders
• Fries
• Tacos
• Fruit skewers for something lighter

For internal links on mybartender.com, connect this to other Long Island-style cocktails, green cocktails, party drinks, and easy highball cocktails.

Storage and Serving Notes

This drink is best made fresh because carbonation fades and the color can change as it sits. That said, you can prep the base mix to make party service faster.

Make-ahead tips:

• Pre-mix the spirits, melon liqueur, orange juice, and sour mix in a pitcher.
• Store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
• Shake each serving with ice for best chill and texture.

Serving notes:

• Top with Sprite only when you serve. This keeps the fizz fresh.
• If you are batching, measure Sprite per glass so you do not wash out the flavor.
• Tip: If you want a clean green look, skip stirring after you add Sprite.

FAQs

This drink gets a lot of questions because it sounds intense but tastes surprisingly smooth when made right. Here are the answers that help most people.

Why is it called a Long Ireland Iced Tea?
It is a playful twist on a Long Island Iced Tea, with a green color that fits the “Ireland” theme.

Is it strong?
Yes. It uses several spirits. Even though it tastes fruity and easy to sip, it packs a punch. Sip slowly.

Can I make it less sweet?
Yes. Use less sour mix, top with soda water instead of Sprite, or use just a small splash of lemon-lime soda at the end.

What if I do not have melon liqueur?
Melon liqueur is what makes it a “Long Ireland” style drink. If you skip it, you can still make a Long Island-style drink, but you lose the green flavor and color.

Why did my drink turn cloudy?
Too much soda or adding certain extra spirits too early can dull the green. Use Sprite as a topper and avoid over-stirring.

Can I batch it for a party?
Yes. Pre-mix everything except Sprite. Shake and pour per serving, then top with Sprite right before serving.

More Cocktails to Try

If you liked this Long Ireland Iced Tea, here are a few more cocktails that keep the fun party vibe going, especially if you like bright colors and easy mixing.