Tayari's Blog: Long Island Tea by A Native Daughter

Posted by TayariJones on April 17, 2008 07:11 PM
Filed under Cocktails With Writers

It's Thursday, the end of a long week, and this writer could really use a cocktail. This week's offering is a serious one by Kelly McMasters, author of just-released Welcome to Shirley, a green-themed memoir
about her blue-collar hometown on the east end of Long Island. The town is a service-town to the Hamptons and is on the south shore, has a lovely natural setting, but is threatened by a nearby nuclear
laboratory that has been leaking into the town's drinking water
aquifer for 50 years. (In other words, it may be safer to drink a Long Island Tea, than tap water-- that's just my two cents. Here's what Kelly has to say about her hometown and it's namesake cocktail.)

"Of course, the drink I have in mind is the Long Island Iced Tea. I
think it reflects the town perfectly--Shirley has an all-or-nothing
vibe in its heart, and hard drinking took up much of our time as
teenagers. The LI Iced Tea's potency made it a favorite (along with
Zima, which thankfully no longer exists!). And the drink's undeserved
bad reputation mirrors the story of my town.

I also used to bartend, and whenever someone ordered this drink I
immediately carded them--it is a favorite for the young/new drinker
because it sounds classy, but has more alcohol than almost any other
drink."

Here is the classic recipe:

  • 1 part Vodka
  • 1 part Tequila
  • 1 part Rum
  • 1 part Gin
  • 1 part Triple sec
  • 1.5 parts Sour mix
  • 1 splash Coca-Cola

    Directions:
Mix alcoholic ingredients together over ice in a glass.
    Pour into shaker and give ONE brisk shake. Pour back into glass and
    squirt in splash of soda-- make sure there is a touch of fizz at the
    top. Garnish with lemon.


    "Powerful...debut explores the author's happy childhood next to a
    controversial nuclear laboratory that leaked toxic waste into a Long
    Island aquifer. McMasters follows up this moving material with pages
    that delve into case-study numbers and scientific quotes ... Sincere
    and expertly researched."
    —Kirkus Reviews

    • [divider]

    There are 0 comments on "Long Island Tea by A Native Daughter". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

    Your Comments

    You are signed in as (sign out)

    Please keep comments relevant to the topic. Inappropriate and offensive comments may be edited and/or removed without warning. Comments found on this site don't necessarily reflect the views of Tayari Jones.

    (optional)

    (required)