Long Beach Iced Tea: A Refreshing Drink for Any Occasion
When it comes to refreshing and flavorful drinks, Long Beach Iced Tea is a classic choice. This popular cocktail has been delighting palates for decades with its unique blend of tea, citrus, and spices. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the history and ingredients of Long Beach Iced Tea, as well as some tips on how to make it at home.
History of Long Beach Iced Tea
Long Beach Iced Tea has its origins in the 1970s in Long Beach, California. The drink was created by a bartender named Robert “Rocket” Rodriguez, who wanted to create a refreshing and unique cocktail that could be served at his bar, The Pike. Rodriguez experimented with different combinations of tea, citrus, and spices until he found the perfect blend. The result was Long Beach Iced Tea, which quickly became a hit with customers.
Ingredients of Long Beach Iced Tea
Long Beach Iced Tea is made with a combination of black tea, lemon juice, simple syrup, and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Here’s a basic recipe for Long Beach Iced Tea:
Ingredients:
* 2 oz black tea
* 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
* 1 oz simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
* 1/2 oz cinnamon syrup (equal parts water and cinnamon syrup)
* 1/4 oz nutmeg syrup (equal parts water and nutmeg syrup)
* Ice cubes
* Club soda or sparkling water
Instructions:
1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the black tea, lemon juice, simple syrup, cinnamon syrup, and nutmeg syrup.
2. Add ice to the shaker and shake well for about 15-20 seconds.
3. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice cubes.
4. Top the glass off with club soda or sparkling water.
5. Garnish with a lemon wheel or twist, if desired.
Tips for Making Long Beach Iced Tea at Home
Making Long Beach Iced Tea at home is easy and only requires a few basic ingredients. Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Use high-quality tea: Long Beach Iced Tea is made with black tea, so it’s important to use a good quality black tea for the best flavor. Look for tea that is rich and full-bodied, such as Assam or Ceylon tea.
2. Experiment with spices: The spices in Long Beach Iced Tea (cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves) add a warm and comforting flavor to the drink. Feel free to experiment with different spice combinations to find the perfect flavor for your taste buds.
3. Adjust the sweetness level: The amount of simple syrup in Long Beach Iced Tea can be adjusted to suit your sweetness level. If you prefer a drier drink, use less simple syrup. If you prefer it sweeter, add more simple syrup.
4. Use club soda or sparkling water: Club soda or sparkling water adds a refreshing fizz to Long Beach Iced Tea. You can use either one, depending on your preference.
5. Garnish with flair: A lemon wheel or twist is the traditional garnish for Long Beach Iced Tea. However, you can also experiment with other garnishes such as a sprig of mint or a slice of lime.
Conclusion
Long Beach Iced Tea is a classic cocktail that has been delighting palates for decades. With its unique blend of tea, citrus, and spices, it’s easy to see why this drink remains popular today. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing drink for a hot summer day or a unique cocktail for a special occasion, Long Beach Iced Tea is sure to impress. With these tips and recipe, you can easily make this delicious drink at home and enjoy it with friends and family.
