How many standard drinks are in a Long Island?

November 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a single standard drink contains 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol. This standard is critical to understanding how many standard drinks are in a Long Island, a cocktail notoriously known for its potent mix of five different spirits. The exact count depends heavily on the recipe and bartender's pour.

Quick Summary

A Long Island Iced Tea typically contains 2.5 to 4 standard drinks, depending on the recipe and pour size. This potent cocktail combines vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and triple sec, making its alcohol content significantly higher than many other mixed drinks. The final tally is impacted by spirit percentages and pour measurements.

Key Points

High Potency: A standard Long Island Iced Tea contains multiple standard drinks, with a typical recipe yielding between 2.5 and 4 standard drinks.
Variable Strength: The exact number of standard drinks can vary significantly based on the bartender's pours, the specific recipe used, and the ABV of the spirits.
Standard Defined: In the US, one standard drink contains 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol, meaning even moderate consumption of a Long Island can quickly lead to binge-drinking levels.
Deceptive Taste: The cocktail's sweet flavor and lack of a strong alcoholic taste can mask its high potency, leading to unintentional overconsumption.
Safer Alternatives: Reducing the amount of spirits, using lower-proof liqueurs, or increasing non-alcoholic mixers are effective ways to make a lighter, safer version of the drink.
Health Risks: The high alcohol content increases acute and chronic health risks, making awareness and moderation crucial for responsible enjoyment.

Demystifying the Long Island Iced Tea's Potency

Often mistaken for a harmless-looking iced tea, the Long Island Iced Tea is a high-alcohol cocktail that packs a serious punch. Understanding its true strength is essential for responsible drinking and safety. The standard drink metric, defined in the United States as containing 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol, is the key to measuring this cocktail's impact. A typical Long Island recipe combines five different spirits, making its standard drink count considerably higher than a single-spirit cocktail. Factors like varying pour sizes, the strength of the individual spirits, and the amount of non-alcoholic mixers all influence the final alcohol content.

The Standard Drink: A Calculation Breakdown

To calculate the number of standard drinks, you must know the volume and alcohol by volume (ABV) of each ingredient. For distilled spirits like those in a Long Island, a standard pour of 1.5 ounces at 40% ABV constitutes one standard drink. The Long Island, however, has multiple pours of various spirits, quickly multiplying its total standard drink count.

Here is a common, though potent, recipe breakdown, based on 0.75-ounce pours for each spirit:

Vodka (40% ABV): 0.75 oz pour contains 0.3 oz of pure alcohol (0.75 x 0.40). This is equivalent to 0.5 standard drinks.
White Rum (40% ABV): 0.75 oz pour contains 0.3 oz of pure alcohol. Another 0.5 standard drinks.
Silver Tequila (40% ABV): 0.75 oz pour contains 0.3 oz of pure alcohol. Another 0.5 standard drinks.
Gin (40% ABV): 0.75 oz pour contains 0.3 oz of pure alcohol. Another 0.5 standard drinks.
Triple Sec (40% ABV): 0.75 oz pour contains 0.3 oz of pure alcohol. Another 0.5 standard drinks.

Total pure alcohol: 0.3 + 0.3 + 0.3 + 0.3 + 0.3 = 1.5 oz. Total standard drinks: 1.5 oz / 0.6 oz per standard drink = 2.5 standard drinks. This calculation aligns with some expert estimates. However, larger pours or stronger spirits can push this number higher. Some sources cite a typical bar pour containing up to 4 standard drinks, which would likely involve 1 oz or larger pours of each spirit.

Factors Affecting Long Island Strength

The cocktail's strength is not static. Several variables can alter the final standard drink count:

Bartender's Pour: A generous hand can increase the liquor content significantly, especially in establishments without metered pour spouts.
Specific Recipe: Different recipes call for varying amounts of each spirit. Some might use equal parts, while others adjust ratios. The use of sweet and sour mix instead of simple syrup and lemon juice also affects the final result.
ABV of Spirits: While most base liquors are 40% ABV, brands and types can vary. Liqueurs like Triple Sec can range in proof, impacting the overall alcohol content.
Ice and Dilution: How long the drink is shaken and how much ice is used will affect the overall dilution. More dilution slightly lowers the ABV, but does not change the total number of standard drinks served.

Long Island Iced Tea vs. Other Cocktails

To put the Long Island's strength into perspective, it helps to compare it to other popular mixed drinks. The comparison shows that while some cocktails may have higher ABV percentages, the Long Island's high total alcohol content is what makes it uniquely potent.


Cocktail	Typical Total Alcohol (oz)	Equivalent Standard Drinks (US)	Based on...
Long Island Iced Tea	1.5 oz	2.5 std drinks	0.75 oz pours
Martini	1.5 - 2 oz	2.5 - 3.3 std drinks	1.5-2 oz gin, dash vermouth
Margarita	1.2 oz	2.0 std drinks	1.5 oz tequila, 0.75 oz lime, 0.75 oz triple sec
Rum and Coke	1.5 oz	2.5 std drinks	2 oz rum (40%), 4 oz coke
Gin & Tonic	1.5 oz	2.5 std drinks	2 oz gin (40%), 4 oz tonic

Note: Martini and Margarita calculations can vary widely based on recipe and pour size.

The Risks and How to Reduce Them

The high alcohol content of a Long Island Iced Tea carries significant health risks, especially if consumed quickly. The drink's appealing, sweet flavor masks its strength, which can lead to overconsumption. Binge drinking can lead to acute risks, including impaired judgment, accidents, and alcohol poisoning. Over the long term, high alcohol consumption is linked to serious health problems like liver damage, heart disease, and an increased risk of cancer.

To mitigate these risks, you can make a lighter version of the cocktail. This can be done by using smaller pours of the spirits, substituting standard triple sec for a lower-proof liqueur, or increasing the amount of non-alcoholic mixers like diet cola or fresh lemon juice. The European Bartender School also offers a recipe using smaller amounts of each spirit. For more information on responsible drinking, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Conclusion: A Cocktail to Be Respected

The Long Island Iced Tea is not just a tasty cocktail but a genuinely strong one. A standard serving contains a minimum of 2.5 standard drinks, and sometimes significantly more, depending on the venue and the bartender. While it may look and taste innocuous, its potent mix of five spirits requires drinkers to exercise caution and moderation. Being aware of the actual alcohol content is the first step toward enjoying this classic drink responsibly and avoiding the negative health consequences associated with overconsumption. When in doubt, sip slowly, or consider opting for a lighter, less boozy variation to enjoy the flavor profile without the intense alcohol load.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is so strong because it is made with five different spirits: vodka, gin, white rum, tequila, and triple sec. Each spirit contributes to the overall alcohol content, resulting in a very potent cocktail with a relatively low amount of mixer.

No, despite its name and color, a Long Island Iced Tea does not contain any iced tea. Its amber hue comes from the splash of cola added to the mixture.

Unless you know the exact recipe and pour sizes used, it's impossible to know precisely. Due to recipe variations and differing pour sizes by bartenders, it's safer to assume it contains at least 2.5 to 4 standard drinks and proceed with caution.

You can make a lighter version by reducing the pour size of each spirit, using lower-proof orange liqueur instead of standard triple sec, and adding more non-alcoholic mixers like diet cola or lemon juice.

While a classic martini has a higher alcohol by volume (ABV), a single Long Island Iced Tea generally contains more total ounces of alcohol due to the higher volume of spirits used in the cocktail. It’s easy to drink a Long Island faster, which can make it feel more potent.

Yes, it is possible to make a non-alcoholic version. Some recipes use non-alcoholic spirits and orange aroma, while simpler versions use lemon-flavored iced tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

Knowing the standard drink count is crucial for monitoring alcohol intake, preventing binge drinking, and reducing both short-term and long-term health risks. It helps ensure responsible consumption and promotes a safer drinking experience.