The first thing that needs to be done before beginning to mix this wonderful drink is to make sure your bar has all the essentials and ingredients that will be needed. Lets start by gathering our mixing tools: a cocktail shaker, a strainer, a jigger and a highball glass.

If you are not sure what exactly to purchase when looking for a jigger, a traditional jigger is a double sided device with a large measure at one end and a smaller at the other, Robert B Hess, 1998. One of the sides of the jigger measures one and a half ounce while the other side measures only an ounce. If you can not find a highball glass do not worry, any tall glass will do.

Now, lets move on to our ingredients, we will be needing several. The first one will be vodka. Vodka is a “liquor originally distilled from wheat it is now made from corn, rye or potatoes and comes in many different flavors” (Cunningham,1998,p.152). However we will only be using regular flavored vodka, for example Absolute, not an expensive but not a cheap one either.

Our second ingredient we will need is Gin, “a liquor mad by distilling rye or other grains with juniper berries” (Cunningham,1998,p.149). Next you will need a bottle of Rum, known for being “a distilled beverage made from sugarcane, byproducts such as molasses and sugarcane juice by a process of fermentation and distillation (Blue, 2004, p.72).

Rum also comes in many flavors, however, also make sure to get a regular rum flavor preferably a light rum, Bacardi will do just fine. Now, stroll along the store and look for a bottle of Tequila. When drinking Tequila you want to make sure you try to buy a more expensive brand since they are the ones known for giving the less headaches the next day.

Tequila , known for making Mexico popular for drinking, is “an alcoholic beverage distilled from the Central American Century plant” (Cunningham, 1998, p.152). All the ingredients we just mentioned are our most alcohol enriched ones.

The following ingredients we will still need are mostly used for their flavor. Make sure to pick up a bottle of Triple Sec, “ a light bodied orange flavored liguer (Cunningham, 1998,p. 152). Right about now you might be asking your self, “What’s the difference between a liquer and a liquor?” Well a liquer is a “syrupy alcoholic beverage often with a Brandy base for some added flavor” (Cunningham, 1998, p.150). Our last bottle we will be needing is Sour Mix.

Sour Mix usually comes in powder or liquid form. I myself prefer to make it myself the following way: “Blend 12 ounce lemon juice, 18 ounces of water, 1/3 cup of sugar and an egg white” (Cunningham, 1998, p.151). I have come to notice that this was it is fresh and you can actually taste the difference when you sip on your Long Island drink.

Now as you get ready to go to the cash register to pay for your purchase grab a bottle of Cola, I prefer to use Coca Cola, it gives it a smoother taste.

Now we are ready to start. First fill your shaker with ice. Now using our jigger and ½ oz of the Vodka, ½ oz of the Gin, ½ oz of the Rum, ½ oz of the Tequila, ½ oz of Triple Sec and 1 oz of your freshly made Sour Mix. Make sure to put your top on the shakes and shake, shake, shake! Normal shaking would be three time towards your left and three times towards your right. On of our final steps is to get your highball glass and pour the contents of the shake in it with ice and all, make sure to garnish with a lemon if you like to decorate.

Finally, here is the final and best step, sit back relax and enjoy your drink. After working for many years at as a bartender and experimenting with several alcoholic beverages and drinks, I have chosen the Long Island as my personal favorite.

References

• Cunningham, S. (1998). The Bartender’s Black Book, fourth edition, The Drink Recipe Collection. Quality books, Inc.
• Blue, A. (2004). The Complete Book of Spirits: A Guide to Their History, Production, and Enjoyment.
• Harper Collins, Inc.