Oh my gosh, let me tell you about my absolute favorite summer cocktail discovery – the Cherry Long Island Iced Tea! I stumbled onto this fruity twist one sweltering July evening when my neighbor brought over a basket of fresh cherries. “These would be amazing in a cocktail,” I thought, and before I knew it, I was shaking up this gorgeous ruby-red version of the classic. Trust me, one sip and you’ll be hooked – it’s got all that boozy punch you love from the original, but with this sweet-tart cherry kiss that makes it dangerously drinkable. Perfect for backyard BBQs, girls’ nights, or honestly… any time you need a little vacation in a glass!

Why You’ll Love This Cherry Long Island Iced Tea

Let me count the ways this drink will become your new obsession:

Refreshing as a summer breeze – That cherry-kissed tang cuts through the heat like magic
Foolproof to mix up – Just shake and pour (no fancy bartending skills needed!)
Totally customizable – Add more cherry juice for sweetness or extra lemon for zing
Party-perfect vibes – That gorgeous ruby color makes every sip feel like a celebration

Seriously, it’s everything you love about the classic Long Island, but with a fruit-forward twist that’ll have everyone asking for your recipe.

Ingredients for Cherry Long Island Iced Tea

Here’s everything you’ll need to mix up this cherrylicious cocktail – measure carefully because balance is everything!

1 oz vodka (I use plain, but cherry-flavored works too)
1 oz white rum – the clean taste lets cherries shine
1 oz gin – that herbal note is magical with fruit
1 oz triple sec – orange liqueur ties all the flavors together
1 oz silver tequila – skip the aged varieties here
2 oz sour mix (freshly squeezed is life-changing!)
2 oz cherry juice – chilled is best
1 oz cola – just enough to float on top
Plenty of ice cubes – big ones melt slower
Fresh cherries & lemon slices – for that Instagram-worthy garnish

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Okay, let’s talk swaps and secrets:

Sour mix: Store-bought works in a pinch, but whisking equal parts lemon juice and simple syrup makes all the difference
Cherry juice: Tart cherry gives more depth than maraschino juice, but use what you’ve got
Don’t skip the cola! That tiny bit bubbles through the layers perfectly
Flavored vodka: Cherry or citrus varieties add fun twists without overpowering
Fresh garnishes: Please don’t use those sad neon cherries – fresh fruit makes it taste expensive

Pro tip: Measure everything with a jigger – this isn’t the drink to eyeball measurements!

Equipment Needed for Cherry Long Island Iced Tea

Don’t worry – you don’t need fancy bar tools to make this cocktail shine! Here’s what I always grab from my kitchen:

Cocktail shaker – A basic metal one works perfectly (bonus points if it has a built-in strainer!)
Tall glass – I use a classic Collins glass, but any 12-16 oz glass does the trick
Measuring jigger – Those ounce markings are your best friend for balanced flavors
Lots of ice – Big cubes melt slower, keeping your drink cold without watering it down

Nice-to-haves if you’re feeling fancy:

Fine mesh strainer – For super-smooth drinks if your shaker doesn’t have one
Long cocktail spoon – Helps gently mix that cola layer without stirring too much
Fun straws – Because everything tastes better through a striped paper straw!

See? No professional bar setup required – just grab these basics and you’re ready to shake up summer!

How to Make Cherry Long Island Iced Tea

Alright, let’s get shaking! Here’s my foolproof method for mixing up this gorgeous cocktail – follow these steps and you’ll have bartender-level results in minutes:

Prep your glass first – Fill a tall glass to the brim with fresh ice cubes (this keeps your drink colder longer)
Load up the shaker – Add vodka, rum, gin, triple sec, tequila, sour mix, and cherry juice to your cocktail shaker
Ice it up – Drop in a handful of ice cubes – about halfway full is perfect
Shake like you mean it! – Seal tight and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds – you’ll hear the ice clinking when it’s properly chilled
Strain it right – Pour through your shaker’s strainer into the waiting ice-filled glass
The magic float – Slowly top with just 1 oz of cola – it’ll cascade beautifully through the layers
Garnish game strong – Skewer 2-3 fresh cherries and a lemon slice on a pick, then rest it on the rim

That’s it! Now take your first glorious sip through a straw to mix all those flavors perfectly.

Pro Tips for the Best Cherry Long Island Iced Tea

These little tricks make all the difference between good and “oh my goodness I need another”:

Chill your glass beforehand – 10 minutes in the freezer means your drink stays icy cold without extra dilution
Fresh garnishes matter – Rub the lemon slice around the rim before adding for extra citrus aroma
Taste as you go – After shaking, dip a spoon in to check sweetness before adding cola (adjust with more cherry juice if needed)
Time your shaking – Set a timer for those 15-20 seconds – under-shaking means weak flavor, over-shaking makes it watery

Remember: The cola should be your very last addition, and don’t stir it in – let it naturally blend as you sip!

Serving Suggestions for Cherry Long Island Iced Tea

Now that you’ve mixed up this gorgeous ruby-red cocktail, let’s talk about how to serve it in style! Personally, I love pairing this Cherry Long Island with light bites that won’t overpower its flavors – think crispy coconut shrimp, fresh summer rolls with peanut sauce, or even just a big platter of chilled watermelon cubes. The fruity notes in the drink make it perfect with anything slightly sweet or citrusy.

For presentation? Oh honey, go all out! I always keep a stash of fun paper straws (the striped ones make everything taste better, don’t they?), and those tiny cocktail umbrellas add instant vacation vibes. If you’re feeling extra fancy, rim the glass with sugar – just moisten the edge with lemon juice and dip in coarse sugar for that sparkling effect. And please – use real maraschino cherries (the luxardo ones if you can find them) instead of those neon-red imposters!

This drink absolutely shines as a standalone cocktail, but it’s also fabulous as part of a boozy brunch spread. I once served it alongside lemon ricotta pancakes and it was pure magic. Just promise me you’ll sip it through a straw – that first mingling of all the layers is part of the experience!

Cherry Long Island Iced Tea Variations

Listen, I love the classic version, but part of the fun with cocktails is playing around! Here are my favorite twists that still keep that cherry magic alive:

Ginger Ale Float: Swap the cola for ginger ale – gives it this spicy kick that dances beautifully with the cherries. Just use half the amount since ginger ale’s more potent
Minty Fresh: Slap 2-3 fresh mint leaves before shaking – that herbal freshness cuts through all the booze like a summer breeze through a fruit orchard
Tropical Twist: Replace half the cherry juice with pineapple juice – suddenly you’ve got vacation-in-a-glass with this sweet-tropical vibe going on
Berry Blast: Muddle a few raspberries in the shaker first – adds this gorgeous pink hue and extra berry tartness that’ll make you swoon

Word to the wise: If you’re changing up the juices or mixers, always taste before adding the final float – you might need to adjust other ingredients to keep that perfect balance!

Storage & FAQs

Okay, real talk – this cocktail is definitely a “make it fresh” situation, but let me answer the questions I get asked all the time:

Can I batch-make this for parties? Honestly? I wouldn’t. The magic happens when everything’s freshly shaken and that cola’s just floated on top. Pre-mixing makes it taste flat and way too strong all at once.
How do I make it sweeter? Easy! Add an extra half ounce of cherry juice at first, taste, then adjust. The sour mix balances it out, so go slow – you can always add more but you can’t take it out!
Can I skip the tequila? I mean… you *could*, but then it’s not really a Long Island, is it? That agave note is part of what makes the flavor so complex. If you must, sub more vodka, but promise me you’ll try it proper first!
How long will leftovers keep? About as long as it takes to read this sentence – maybe 30 minutes before the ice melts and ruins everything. This is a “make it and drink it” kind of situation.
Can I use diet cola? Sure, but the sugar in regular cola helps balance the tartness. If you do, you might want an extra splash of cherry juice to compensate.

Bottom line? This isn’t a cocktail that improves with age – shake it up fresh and enjoy every bubbly, cherry-kissed sip!

Nutritional Information

Okay, let’s keep it real about the numbers – this isn’t exactly a health drink, but everything in moderation, right? Here’s the scoop:

Disclaimer: These estimates can vary based on your specific brands and how heavy-handed you pour! But for a standard Cherry Long Island Iced Tea made exactly as I’ve described, you’re looking at about:

250 calories per serving (hey, that’s less than most dessert cocktails!)
20g sugar – mostly from the cherry juice and cola
Zero fat – small victories!

Want to lighten it up? Try using tart cherry juice (less sugar) or swapping half the sour mix with fresh lemon juice. But honestly? This is a treat-yourself kind of drink – sip slowly, savor the flavors, and maybe balance it with some extra water between rounds!

Enjoy Your Cherry Long Island Iced Tea!

Alright, my cocktail-loving friend – you did it! Now comes the best part: kicking back with that gorgeous ruby-red drink in hand. Take that first sip through your straw (seriously, don’t skip this – the way all those flavors blend as you sip is pure magic) and let me know what you think!

I’d absolutely love to hear how your Cherry Long Island turns out. Did you stick with the classic version or try one of those fun twists? Snap a photo of your masterpiece (especially if you went wild with garnishes – I live for those cocktail styling moments!) and tag me so I can cheer you on.

This recipe has been my summer obsession, and I’m so excited you’re giving it a try. Whether you’re sipping it poolside, sharing with friends at your next BBQ, or just treating yourself after a long day, I hope it brings you as much joy as it’s brought me. Bottoms up!