Long Island Iced Tea - Origin

Origin

There is some dispute as to the origin of the Long Island Iced Tea. However, numerous sources attribute the origin to one or both of two inventors in the 1970s or 1920s.

Robert "Rosebud" Butt claims to have invented the drink as an entry in a contest to create a new mixed drink including Triple Sec, in 1972 while he worked at the Oak Beach Inn on Long Island, NY. Various local New York references echo Butt's claims. Local rumors also ascribe the origin to either Butt or another bartender at the Old Beach Inn, Chris Bendicksen.

Alternatively, a slightly different drink is claimed to have been invented in the 1920s during Prohibition, by an "Old Man Bishop" in a local community named Long Island in Kingsport, Tennessee. The drink was then perfected by Ransom Bishop, "Old Man Bishop"'s son. This drink included whiskey and maple syrup, and varied quantities of the 5 liquors, rather than the modern one with cola and 4 equal portions of the 4 liquors.

American restaurant chain TGI Friday's has claimed that it was involved with inventing the drink.

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