Love Island Iced Tea

Inspired by the drama, heat, and flirtation of Love Island, the Love Island Iced Tea is a tropical party in a glass. Packed with vibrant flavors and a splash of island color, it’s the perfect cocktail to sip while watching the season finale unfold. It blends fruity sweetness with just enough booze to keep things interesting.

Tasting Notes

This Love Island Iced Tea opens with a burst of sweet pineapple and peach, backed by the slight tang of citrus from the sour mix and lemon. The tequila and black cherry rum add depth and warmth, while the blue curaçao adds just a hint of orange and a bold splash of color. The toasted coconut garnish brings a subtle roasted aroma that lingers on the nose with each sip. The flavor is rich and fruity without being overly sweet, offering a smooth, balanced finish that keeps the tropical notes front and center. It’s layered and fun just like the show that inspired it.

Equipment and Glassware

To make the Love Island Iced Tea, you’ll need a standard cocktail shaker, jigger or measuring tool, and a strainer. A citrus squeezer will help extract the most juice from your lemon wedges. For serving, opt for a tall glass like a highball or hurricane glass to show off the drink’s color and garnishes. You’ll also need a paring knife for prepping the pineapple and cherry garnish, as well as a small plate to hold the toasted coconut. Keep some fresh ice on hand for both shaking and serving. A cocktail pick or skewer adds a polished touch for the fruit.

Ingredients

• 0.75 oz tequila
• 0.75 oz black cherry rum
• 0.75 oz peach schnapps
• 0.75 oz blue curaçao
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• 1 oz sour mix
• Juice from 2 lemon wedges

For Garnish:

• Pineapple leaf
• Pineapple chunk
• Cherry
• Toasted coconut

Instructions

• In a shaker, combine tequila, black cherry rum, peach schnapps, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, sour mix, and the juice from two lemon wedges.
• Add ice and shake well until chilled.
• Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
• Garnish with a pineapple leaf, a chunk of pineapple, and a cherry.
• Sprinkle toasted coconut on top before serving.

Pro Tips

• Use fresh lemon wedges to enhance the drink’s citrus notes.
• Chill your glass ahead of time to keep the drink colder longer.
• Toast coconut flakes in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes until golden.
• For extra flair, use a cocktail pick to skewer the pineapple and cherry.
• If you like it sweeter, add a splash of pineapple juice before serving.
• Crushed ice can give the drink a slushy texture and refreshing chill.
• Use clear ice for better presentation and slower dilution.

When to Serve

The Love Island Iced Tea is a perfect fit for any warm-weather gathering, poolside hangout, or themed TV night. It’s especially fun to serve during Love Island watch parties or season finales, where its bright color and tropical flavor match the show’s mood. This drink works well for summer barbecues, beach outings, or cocktail hours where you want something easy to sip but with a bit of flair. Its mix of fruit flavors and eye-catching garnish also makes it a good choice for brunches, birthday celebrations, or casual weekends when you’re craving something fun and refreshing.

Which Liquor Brands to Choose

• Tequila: Espolòn Blanco, El Jimador, or Olmeca Altos
• Black Cherry Rum: Cruzan Black Cherry, Captain Morgan Cherry Vanilla
• Peach Schnapps: DeKuyper, Dr. McGillicuddy’s
• Blue Curaçao: Giffard, DeKuyper, Bols
• Sour Mix: Powell & Mahoney, Master of Mixes, or homemade
• Pineapple Juice: Lakewood Organic, Dole, or fresh-pressed

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