Tokyo Iced Tea Cocktail Recipe And Its History

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What is Tokyo Iced Tea Cocktail?

For all of us that we want to improve and gain more beverage knowledge, must know and understand that a Tokyo iced tea is a fun and colorful cocktail that’s very similar to the classic Long Island Iced Tea, but with a unique twist. Instead of a classic brownish color like the Long Island version, the Tokyo Iced Tea is green because it uses melon liqueur, typically Midori. This gives the drink a sweet, fruity taste along with its striking color. The Tokyo Iced Tea is a high-alcohol cocktail, so it’s often thought of as a party drink, but it can also be enjoyed in more relaxed moments.

The History of the Tokyo Iced Tea

The Tokyo Iced Tea doesn’t have a documented history as some classic cocktails, but we can trace its roots back to the Long Island Iced Tea, which became popular in the 1970s in the United States. As it is known, the Long Island Iced Tea was invented by a bartender named Robert “Rosebud” Butt during a contest in Long Island, New York. The goal of the contest was to create a new mixed drink that included triple sec. Butt mixed together vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and triple sec, adding a splash of cola to give the drink the color of iced tea, hence the name.

The Tokyo Iced Tea likely evolved as a playful variation of this cocktail. At some point, bartenders began experimenting with different flavors and liqueurs to put their own spin on the drink. Adding Midori to the mix gave the drink a new, eye-catching color and a sweeter, more tropical taste. Since Midori is a Japanese melon liqueur, the drink was given the name “Tokyo Iced Tea” as a nod to its Japanese ingredient.

Although the exact origins of the Tokyo Iced Tea are not as well-documented as the Long Island Iced Tea, it’s clear that it was inspired by the original cocktail and became popular in bars and nightclubs, especially among those looking for a sweet, fruity drink that also has a strong kick.

Why People Love It

One reason people enjoy the Tokyo Iced Tea is its flavor. The combination of sweet melon from the Midori, citrus from the triple sec, and the fizz from the lemon-lime soda makes it taste much lighter than you might expect, considering how much alcohol is in it. The drink has a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, making it refreshing and easy to sip, especially on a warm day.

Another reason for its popularity is its appearance. The bright green color stands out at parties or in a busy bar, making it an eye-catching choice. It’s a drink that not only tastes good but looks fun as well, which adds to its appeal, especially for people who like trying new cocktails or are looking for something different than the usual drinks.

In conclusion, the Tokyo Iced Tea is a fun, modern twist on the Long Island Iced Tea. Its bright green color, sweet and fruity taste, and strong kick make it a popular choice for people who enjoy flavorful cocktails with a bit of a punch. It’s a drink that brings a little bit of the tropics to wherever you are, all while staying true to its roots as a fun and strong cocktail.

Tokyo Iced Tea Cocktail Recipe

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Tokyo Iced Tea Cocktail Recipe

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Serves: 1 Prep Time: 2M Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1/2 oz ( 15 ml ) Midori
• 1/2 oz ( 15 ml ) Vodka
• 1/2 oz ( 15 ml ) Gin
• 1/2 oz (15 ml ) White Rum
• 1/2 oz ( 15 ml ) Cointreau
• 1/2 oz ( 15 ml ) Simple Syrup
• 3/4 oz ( 22,5 ml ) Lime Juice
• Seven-Up or Lemonade
• A splash of sweet and sour mix (or fresh lemon juice with a bit of sugar)

Instructions

1. Fill a highball or hurricane glass with ice.
2. Pour in the vodka, rum, tequila, gin, triple sec, and Midori over the ice.
3. Add a splash of sweet and sour mix to give it some tartness.
4. Top the drink with lemon-lime soda or Sprite to make it fizzy and refreshing.
5. Stir everything together gently, and garnish with a slice of lime or lemon if you like.

Glassware And Garnish

Highball Glass and Lime Wheel for garnish

Watch The Video For All The Steps On How To Make a Tokyo Iced Tea Cocktail:

Images from DrinkLab and Cocktailarium.