The high spirited saga

There’s nothing dated or out of style about the classic cocktails of the 20th century. These drinks have timeless themes and rely on formulations that are every bit as relevant today as they were when first conceived. If one learns to appreciate these basic relationships, then there’s no limit on what they can create behind the bar.

One of the mega-popular drinks of the 20th century is making a fast and furious comeback: the Long Island Iced Tea (LIIT). And there are more than ten to choose from, if you are making a Pitstop at Hard Rock Café (HRC), this week.

“There is only one reigning chief of all cocktails and that is our famous Long Island Ice Tea. This year, we’ve decided to turn it up a notch and have created an exclusive range of 10 new LIITs,” shares a spokesperson.

On a time/space continuum, the Long Island Iced Tea falls somewhere between the drinks Harvey Wallbanger and Silk Panties. The tall, sublime concoction originated in the late 1970s at the Oak Beach Inn in Babylon, Long Island, NY. The drink’s construction is so unique that its creator — bartender Robert Bott — should be knighted.

Fresh fruit, unique flavours, subtle spices and wild colours are only a few highlights from the delicious, refreshing and dangerous menu of the LIITs menu at HRC. Some of these bad boys have up to six kinds of spirits so don’t say that you weren’t warned.

It takes a peculiarly bent mind to even contemplate combining multiple light liquors in one glass, no less to make the combination work so well, for possibly it cannot get better than this.

The LIIT Menu

• Double Trouble Iced Tea: Tangy orange, sweet and sour mix topped with six wild spirits and a splash of coke. Not for the faint of heart.
• The Big Bull Iced Tea: Grow wings with this beats of a drink; Blue Curacao, Red Bull and six kinds of spirits to take you really higher
• Lavender Iced Tea: Light and fresh like a summer breeze. Lavender adds a sophisticated touch to this flirty LIIT
• Aam Paana Iced Tea: An all-time favourite, raw mango creates a medley of flavors in this five spirited LIIT.
• Kaal Khatta Iced Tea: Relieve your childhood with this kala khatta infused ice tea made with five spirits and topped off with coke. Keep away from children
• Boston Iced Tea: Four bold spirits amped up with coffee liqueur and a splash of coke. Sure to ship you straight to Boston.
• Jalapeno Iced Tea: Some like it hot, while some like it very hot! As if five spirits weren’t enough, we’ve thrown in some zesty jalapenos, brine, sweet and sour mix topped with lemon lime soda.
• Calypso Iced Tea: Fruity and loopy! Five signature spirits combined with fresh apple, watermelon, pineapple, and lime topped off with electric cranberry sauce.
• Love Is In The Air: Dark and delicious here with five spirits, red wine and a hint of lychee make this lovely concoction irresistible.
• Texas Iced Tea: Do Southerners really do it better? Judge for yourself with this whisky based LIIT.

By Augustin Kurian