[Image: PICRYL]
Bartenders across the globe seem to share one unspoken truth: if someone strolls up and orders a Long Island Iced Tea, trouble’s not far behind.
It’s the cocktail equivalent of a red flag – and not the sexy kind.
Mixologists will tell you straight that folks who order this infamous concoction are usually on a one-way trip to blackout boulevard, quickly becoming loud, obnoxious, and dead-set on forgetting their own names by sundown.
“For the most part, it is for people who are here to drink and think, ‘this is the fastest way to get to where I’m going,’” said Morgan Robison, beverage director at Wenwen, laying it out like a seasoned war veteran via NY Post.
Marisol Delarosa of NYC’s Brass Monkey didn’t hold back either: “The person [ordering] wants to black out and will probably be loud and obnoxious about getting to that state of drunkenness.” Cheers, mate, and may the security team be ever in your favour.
Daniel Meursing, CEO of Premier Staff, echoed the sentiment, saying, “When someone orders a Long Island, I start scanning for the nearest security guard.” Because nothing says “this night’s about to go sideways” like a splash of Coca-Cola on top of five liquors.
And let’s not forget the bartender’s own pain as Long Islands are a mission to make. Jamie Robinson, ex-bartender and now assistant food and bev manager at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, put it bluntly: “A big no-no, especially at a busy bar.”
“You’re likely only going to order one or two unless you plan on ending up on the floor at some point during the evening.”
Iconic.
So, what should you order to avoid becoming a human hand grenade? Think elegant. Think restrained. Think cocktails that don’t scream “deep-diving alcoholic” or “fresh out of college with poor life choices.”
A Negroni, a French 75, or a crisp G&T with Fitch & Leedes mixers – now that’s how you sip without suspicion.
And if you’re really trying to impress (or save face), go for the Fitch & Leedes Pineapple Lemonade — light, refreshing, and supporting the African Penguin. It’s the drink that makes them think – this time in a good way.
A fool-proof way to stay cool and calm as a cucumber is to stick to Fitch & Leedes-made cocktails – they’re smooth, sophisticated, and the bonus is that they won’t get you side-eyed by the bartender or escorted out by security.
[Source: NY Post]
