Long Beach Iced Tea (2 Ways): Classic & Non-Alcoholic Recipes

Refreshing, tart, and deceptively potent, the Long Beach Iced Tea is the classic Long Island’s cooler, West Coast cousin. The simple swap of cranberry juice for cola transforms the drink from sweet to bright and zesty. This definitive guide provides the perfect classic recipe, explores the key differences from its famous sibling, and reveals a bartender’s secret coffee liqueur variation to elevate your mixology game.

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The Story & Why I Love It

I still remember the first time I tasted a Long Beach Iced Tea it was at a friend’s rooftop dinner in San Diego. The sun had just dipped below the Pacific, and a chilled, ruby-red glass slid into my hand. Tart cranberry met citrusy zing and a soft fizz. It was everything a summer cocktail should be.

Back home in Ohio, I started recreating that flavor. Only this time, I wanted a version of the Long Beach Iced Tea that didn’t rely on vodka, and definitely not seven spirits. So, I got to work crafting a non-alcoholic Long Beach Iced Tea something light, crisp, and still full of flavor. After a few experiments (and a few messes supervised by my cat Luna), I found it.

This vodka-free Long Beach Iced Tea is bright, refreshing, and totally worthy of your next gathering or your Tuesday night. If you’re trying to skip the liquor without sacrificing taste, this one’s your new go-to.

If you love mocktails or tea-based drinks with bold flavors, you’ll also enjoy my Butterfly Pea Flower Tea and Cherry Lime Agua Fresca for more colorful refreshment ideas.

What Is a Long Beach Iced Tea?

Let’s break it down: the Long Beach Iced Tea is a fruity twist on the infamous Long Island. Instead of cola, it uses cranberry juice, which transforms the drink into something tangy and refreshing. Where the Long Island is dark and intense, the Long Beach Iced Tea is bright, citrusy, and summer-ready.

Typically, the Long Beach Iced Tea recipe still includes vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, and triple sec. But with the version I’m sharing here, we ditch the heavy spirits and keep the balance using black tea, fresh lemon, and soda water. You keep the kick without the crash.

As for the name, it likely pays homage to Long Beach, California. Think beach days, West Coast vibes, and cocktails with personality. That’s the spirit of a Long Beach Iced Tea.

Want to explore other tea-forward recipes? My Butterfly Pea Milk Tea is a color-changing surprise you’ll want to try next.

The Non-Alcoholic Long Beach Iced Tea Recipe

This Citrus Cranberry Iced Tea Cocktail (No Vodka) is a standout. Here’s how you can make it at home in just a few minutes.

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The result is a Long Beach Iced Tea that’s bold, fizzy, and perfect for any hour. No need for fancy bottles just real flavor in every sip.

Looking for more hydrating, health-forward drinks? This Apple Peel Tea is soothing and full of antioxidants, making it a perfect pantry staple.

The Bartender’s Secret: The Coffee Liqueur Long Beach Iced Tea

Every bartender has a twist and when it comes to the Long Beach Iced Tea, that twist is coffee liqueur.

This variation replaces the traditional triple sec with something darker and more intriguing coffee liqueur, like Galliano Espresso or even Kahlúa. The result? A richer, slightly smoky drink that pairs the tartness of cranberry with subtle chocolate and espresso notes. It’s bold, surprising, and perfect for evenings when you want something beyond basic.

Unlike the usual Long Beach Iced Tea recipe, which is bright and citrusy, this one leans into the deeper end of the flavor pool. It’s perfect served chilled in a highball glass over fresh ice. And if you enjoy mocktail-inspired depth, try the Ocean Love Colada for another bold twist.

The Coffee Liqueur Long Beach Iced Tea Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Cranberry Juice
• 1½ oz Black Tea (strong brewed, chilled)
• ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• ½ oz Orange Juice
• ½ oz Coffee Liqueur (Galliano Espresso, Kahlúa, or similar)
• ½ oz Agave Syrup or Simple Syrup (adjust to taste)
• 2 oz Soda Water or Sparkling Lemon Water
• Ice
• Orange peel or espresso bean, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Brew and chill your tea make it extra strong for boldness.
2. Fill a glass with ice and add cranberry juice, black tea, lemon and orange juices, and coffee liqueur.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Top with sparkling water.
5. Garnish with an orange peel or a few espresso beans for flair.

This Long Beach Iced Tea variant is one you’ll want to revisit. The espresso hits different with cranberry it’s the kind of drink that gets better with every sip.

Want to skip the alcohol altogether? Keep the structure of this recipe and sub in cold brew concentrate or a coffee syrup. That way, you still get the moodiness without the ABV.

For a zero-proof afternoon sip with a twist, my Coconut Water Iced Coffee might just be the energizer you need.

How Strong Is a Long Beach Iced Tea?

Let’s talk facts. A traditional Long Beach Iced Tea loaded with vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and triple sec can hit around 17–22% ABV (alcohol by volume). That’s stronger than wine, and pretty close to straight-up spirits when you factor in low dilution.

This is why it’s often called a “stealth drink.” It doesn’t taste like a strong cocktail, but it hits hard especially if you drink it fast.

Now, if you’re going vodka-free or using just one liqueur (like in the coffee version above), your ABV drops significantly. If you’re skipping all spirits entirely, as we do in the first recipe, your drink is non-alcoholic and hydrating but still complex and satisfying.

The goal of a good Long Beach Iced Tea isn’t just to pack in alcohol. It’s to balance flavors tart, citrusy, slightly sweet, and crisp. You don’t need booze to achieve that.

If you’re curious about drinks that bring flavor without the buzz, my Electrolyte Mocktail is a must-try especially post-workout or as a summer cooler.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Long Beach Iced Tea

When it comes to a standout Long Beach Iced Tea, the little things make a big difference. From citrus balance to creative garnishes, here’s how to master the flavor and presentation whether you’re going full cocktail or sticking with the alcohol-free version.

Sour Mix vs. Fresh Juice: Which Tastes Better?

Bartenders love sour mix for speed, but it’s rarely as good as fresh juice. For your Long Beach Iced Tea, fresh lemon juice delivers a brighter, cleaner tang that balances the cranberry and cuts through any sweetness. If you must use a mix, choose one without high-fructose corn syrup or make your own.

Homemade Sour Mix Recipe:

• 1 part fresh lemon juice
• 1 part fresh lime juice
• 1 part simple syrup

Shake it up and store it in the fridge. Use about ¾ oz per drink.

This simple upgrade turns your tea cocktail from decent to amazing. For more zesty mocktail ideas, check out this refreshing Lemon Balm Tea light, citrusy, and ideal for warm weather sipping.

Garnish & Glassware: It Matters More Than You Think

Garnishes don’t just make your drink pretty they add subtle aromas that elevate each sip. Here’s what works beautifully with a Long Beach Iced Tea:

• Lemon wheel – classic and refreshing
• Mint sprig – adds cooling aroma
• Fresh cranberries – visual punch and tart pop
• Orange peel – brings out citrus notes, especially in the coffee version

For glassware, use a Collins or highball glass. These tall glasses hold plenty of ice and allow for that lovely gradient of tea and cranberry to show off.

Ice Tip: Always use fresh, large ice cubes. Cloudy, half-melted ice waters the drink down fast and makes it look flat.

Want something fun and unusual? Serve your Long Beach Iced Tea over crushed ice in a mason jar for a laid-back beach feel or go sleek with a tall tumbler and dehydrated citrus slice.

Just like with my other signature sips, presentation counts. That’s part of what makes this a drink you’ll crave again and again.

What Pairs with a Long Beach Iced Tea? (& Meet Its Cocktail Cousins)

Whether you’re making the non-alcoholic version or the bold espresso twist, a Long Beach Iced Tea deserves a spot on your table with the perfect bite. Let’s talk pairing and where this tart tea cocktail fits in the family tree of boozy (or booze-free) teas.

Best Foods to Serve with Long Beach Iced Tea

Because the Long Beach Iced Tea leans tart and citrusy with cranberry zing, it goes beautifully with foods that can handle that bite or contrast it.

Top Pairings:

• Grilled Chicken Skewers – lightly charred meat plays well with tart fruit
• Spicy Tacos – heat + citrus = flavor heaven
• Crispy Fried Fish or Calamari – a classic beach bar vibe with a twist
• Smashed Avocado Toasts – especially with chili flakes and lemon zest
• Fruit + Cheese Skewers – think cheddar + cranberry or brie + orange zest

You can even serve your Long Beach Iced Tea alongside something light and nutrient-dense, like the Blue Spirulina Smoothie for a sweet-and-tart balance that’s totally guilt-free.

Meet the Iced Tea Cocktail Family

The Long Beach Iced Tea belongs to a family of strong, citrus-heavy cocktails that all trace their roots back to the Long Island Iced Tea. Here’s a quick breakdown of its bold cousins:

Cocktail	What’s In It	Signature Flavor
Long Island Iced Tea	Vodka, tequila, rum, gin, triple sec, sour mix, cola	Strong + Sweet
Long Beach Iced Tea	Same spirits, but with cranberry juice	Tart + Bright
Tokyo Tea	Long Island base + melon liqueur	Sweet + Fruity
Adios Motherf****r	Long Island base + blue curaçao	Bold + Citrus
AMF Light	No vodka, sparkling water instead of soda	Crisp + Low ABV

What sets the Long Beach Iced Tea apart is its cranberry edge it stands alone in the family as the tart, refreshing cousin with that signature red hue.

If you’re curious about other non-traditional sips, try the beautifully balanced Blue Tonic. It’s fizzy, herbal, and surprisingly satisfying.

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Long Beach Iced Tea FAQ