If you love the bold tangy flavor of a Long Island Iced Tea but want a version you can serve to everyone at the table, this mocktail recipe is exactly what you need. Black tea bags, apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice, sugar, baking soda, and ginger beer come together in just 5 minutes for a pitcher of the most refreshing and flavorful non alcoholic drink you will ever make.
It has all the complexity and zing of the classic cocktail without any of the alcohol, making it a perfect summer drink for BBQs, backyard parties, and any gathering where you want something fun and festive that everyone can enjoy.
What makes this Long Island Iced Tea mocktail so clever is the combination of apple cider vinegar and ginger beer. The apple cider vinegar adds the tangy bite that mimics the multi-spirit base of the original cocktail, and the ginger beer brings a light fizzy kick that makes every sip feel refreshing and satisfying.
A small pinch of baking soda smooths out the bitterness of the black tea and gives the drink that beautiful amber color you expect from a classic Long Island Iced Tea.
The whole pitcher comes together in just 10 minutes and serves four, making it one of the easiest and most impressive non alcoholic summer drinks you can make for a crowd.
If you are looking for more non alcoholic mocktail recipes to enjoy you might also like my Easy Frozen Watermelon Margarita Mocktail, my Pina Colada Mocktail, my Frozen Cranberry Margarita Mocktail, my Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktails or my Classic Margarita Mocktail.
You can find all of my drink recipes here: Gluten Free Drink Recipes
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Instructions
Boil water and pour over tea bags in a pitcher. Let steep for 5 minutes.
Carefully remove the tea bags. Add the apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, sugar and baking soda. Stir to combine. Let the mixture cool slightly.
Pour the ginger beer into the iced tea mixture.
Fill glasses with ice and pour the tea over it. Top the drink with a lemon slice.
Serve immediately.
Supplies
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Long Island Iced Tea Mocktails
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Long Island Iced Tea mocktail makes a whole pitcher of refreshing non alcoholic drinks in just 5 minutes! Black tea bags, apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice, sugar, baking soda, and ginger beer come together for a tangy and lightly sweet mocktail that delivers all the classic flavor of a Long Island Iced Tea without any alcohol. Naturally gluten free and perfect for summer BBQs, parties, and warm weather entertaining!
Ingredients
- 2 Family Size Iced Tea Bags
- 4 cups Boiling Water
- ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 3 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
- ¼ tsp Baking Soda
- 1 bottle or can of Ginger Beer, 8-12 ounces
Ice, to fill your glasses
Lemon Slices, to serve with drinks
Instructions
Boil water and pour over tea bags in a pitcher. Let steep for 5 minutes.
Carefully remove the tea bags. Add the apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, sugar and baking soda. Stir to combine. Let the mixture cool slightly.
Pour the ginger beer into the iced tea mixture.
Fill glasses with ice and pour the tea over it. Top the drink with a lemon slice.
Serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
If you make these Long Island Iced Tea Mocktails I would love to hear what you think! Leave a star rating and a comment below and let me know what occasion you served them for.
Don't forget to save this recipe to your Pinterest boards so you can find it again all summer long!
Storage
This Long Island Iced Tea mocktail is best served fresh immediately after mixing for the best flavor and fizz. If you have leftover mocktail store it in a sealed pitcher or jar in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Keep in mind that the ginger beer will lose its carbonation as it sits so the drink will be less fizzy the next day.
To get the best results when making this ahead of time, brew the tea mixture and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve, then add the ginger beer right before pouring over ice. This way the mocktail stays fresh and bubbly for every glass.
Top Tip
Let the brewed tea cool for at least 5 to 10 minutes before adding the ginger beer. If the tea is still very hot when you pour in the ginger beer it will cause it to go flat almost immediately and you will lose all of that light fizzy quality that makes this mocktail so refreshing. The ginger beer is best added when the tea mixture is warm but not steaming, and then poured immediately over ice so the whole drink stays cold and bubbly from the very first sip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, with one important tip. Brew the tea and mix in the apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, and baking soda ahead of time and store the mixture in a sealed pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add the ginger beer right before serving so the mocktail stays fizzy and fresh. If you add the ginger beer too early it will go flat and lose the light bubbly quality that makes this drink so refreshing.
Absolutely! Regular or decaf black tea bags both work perfectly in this recipe. The tea is what gives this mocktail its classic amber color and slightly bitter base that balances the sweetness and tang of the other ingredients. If you are serving this mocktail in the evening or to anyone who is sensitive to caffeine, decaf black tea bags are a great option and the flavor will be nearly identical
The apple cider vinegar is the secret ingredient that gives this Long Island Iced Tea mocktail its signature tangy complexity. In the original Long Island Iced Tea that tangy bite comes from the combination of multiple spirits. In this non alcoholic version the apple cider vinegar replicates that bold tangy flavor without any alcohol. It sounds unusual but you would never guess it was there. It simply makes the drink taste more complex and layered.
Adding a small amount of baking soda to the brewed tea neutralizes the tannins that cause bitterness and cloudiness. The result is a smoother, less bitter tea with a beautiful clear amber color that looks just like a classic Long Island Iced Tea. You only need a tiny amount so the baking soda does not affect the flavor of the drink at all.
Black tea is strongly recommended for this recipe because it gives the mocktail its classic deep amber color and bold flavor that holds up against the apple cider vinegar and ginger beer. Green tea or herbal teas would produce a very different color and flavor profile and would not give you the same Long Island Iced Tea look and taste. If you want to experiment, a strong black and green tea blend could work but classic black tea is always the best choice for this recipe.
Ginger beer is what gives this mocktail its fizzy kick and a subtle spicy warmth that makes it taste more complex and interesting. If you cannot find ginger beer you could substitute sparkling water or club soda for the carbonation, but keep in mind that the flavor will be noticeably milder without the ginger. Ginger ale is a closer substitute than plain sparkling water if ginger beer is not available and will give you a similar but slightly sweeter result.
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