Voodoo Iced Tea

The Voodoo Iced Tea is a visually striking and deceptively strong cocktail that belongs to the "Iced Tea" family of drinks. It swaps the traditional triple sec and cola for vibrant blue curaçao and sweet raspberry liqueur, resulting in a deep purple color and a more pronounced fruity flavor. Despite its sweet and easy-drinking nature, it packs a significant alcoholic punch from its combination of vodka, gin, rum, and tequila. It's a popular choice for parties and nights out, offering a colorful alternative to its famous cousin.
Voodoo Iced Tea

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Voodoo Iced Tea is categorized as a modern classic cocktail. It belongs to the "long drink" or "highball" style, served in a tall glass over ice. It is part of the "Iced Tea" family of cocktails, which are known for containing multiple spirits but no actual tea.

Serving

Serve this potent, cold cocktail in a tall Highball or Collins glass filled with ice to keep it chilled. It is a relatively large drink with a significant alcohol content despite its easy-drinking character.
Serving size
Approximately 240-300 ml / 8-10 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 18-22% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

The exact origin of the Voodoo Iced Tea is murky, as is the case for many Long Island Iced Tea variations. It likely emerged in the American bar scene during the 1980s or 1990s, a period known for colorful and potent cocktails. The name "Voodoo" alludes to its magical-looking purple color and its powerful, enchanting effect on the drinker. It's a testament to the creative evolution of the classic Long Island formula, designed for fun and visual appeal.
Origin
United States, likely emerging in the late 20th century as a popular variation of the Long Island Iced Tea.

Voodoo Iced Tea

This cocktail is primarily known as the Voodoo Iced Tea. It is sometimes called a "Purple Rain," referencing its vibrant color and a famous song, or a "Voodoo Long Island" to specify its relationship to the classic Long Island Iced Tea. The name "Voodoo" itself evokes a sense of magic and potency, fitting for its enchanting color and strong alcoholic content.
Original name
Voodoo Iced Tea
Alternative names
  • Purple Rain
  • Voodoo Long Island

Characteristics overview

This cocktail has a sweet and fruity flavor profile dominated by raspberry and citrus, with a light fizziness from the soda. Its most striking feature is its deep purple appearance, making it as appealing to the eyes as it is to the palate.
Flavor
Fruity, Sweet, Tart, Boozy, Raspberry, Citrus
Aroma
Fruity, Sweet, Citrusy
Taste balance
Sweet, Sour
Aftertaste
Sweet, Lingering, Fruity
Fizziness
Lightly fizzy, Effervescent
Color appearance
Deep Purple, Violet, Opaque
Texture
Smooth, Crisp, Bubbly
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is intensely fruity and sweet, balanced by a pleasant sourness. The high alcohol strength is noticeable but well-integrated, and a light carbonation lifts the overall profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This drink requires a formidable lineup of six different spirits and liqueurs, plus sweet and sour mix and soda. The key ingredients that differentiate it are the blue curaçao and raspberry liqueur.
  • Vodka15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A neutral vodka works best.
  • Light Rum15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Also known as white or silver rum.
  • Gin15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A standard London Dry Gin is suitable.
  • Blanco Tequila15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Also known as silver or plata tequila.
  • Blue Curaçao Liqueur15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Provides orange flavor and vibrant blue color.
  • Raspberry Liqueur15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Chambord is a popular choice. This provides the red component for the purple color.
  • Sweet and Sour Mix30 ml / 1 oz
    Can be store-bought or made fresh with equal parts lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup.
  • Lemon-Lime SodaTop up, approx. 60 ml / 2 oz
    Sprite or 7-Up are common choices.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

Minimal equipment is needed; a jigger ensures accurate pours for the many ingredients, and a long bar spoon is used to gently mix everything in the glass.
  • Jigger for measuring
  • Bar spoon for stirring

Instructions

This is a simple "build-in-glass" cocktail, where all ingredients are poured sequentially over ice in the serving glass. A gentle stir at the end is all that's needed to combine the flavors.
1. Fill a Highball or Collins glass completely with cubed ice.
2. Pour the vodka, light rum, gin, blanco tequila, blue curaçao, raspberry liqueur, and sweet and sour mix directly into the glass over the ice.
3. Top the drink with lemon-lime soda, leaving a small amount of space at the top.
4. Gently stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients without losing too much carbonation.
5. Garnish with a lemon wheel on the rim of the glass and an optional maraschino cherry.

Garnishing

A simple garnish of a lemon wheel or wedge adds a fresh, citrus aroma. A maraschino cherry can be added for extra color and a pop of sweetness.
  • Lemon wheel or wedge on the rim
  • Maraschino cherry dropped in the drink (optional)

Dietary Information

This cocktail is typically vegan and free from common allergens such as caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten. However, always check the labels of specific liqueur and mixer brands if you have severe allergies.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

Due to the multiple liqueurs, sour mix, and soda, this cocktail is high in both calories and sugar. Its carbohydrate content is significant, primarily coming from added sugars.
Calories
Averagely 300-350 kcal / 1255-1464 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 25-30 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 24-28 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect for lively social gatherings like parties, nights out with friends, and summer celebrations. Its fun appearance and potent nature make it a go-to choice for happy hour or any event where a vibrant and strong cocktail is desired.
  • Party
  • Night Out
  • Summer Celebration
  • Happy Hour

Pairing suggestions

The Voodoo Iced Tea's sweet and sour profile pairs well with salty, fried, or spicy foods. The sweetness of the drink helps to balance the heat of spicy dishes like wings, while its acidity cuts through the richness of fried appetizers. Simple, salty bar snacks also provide a great contrast to the drink's complex fruitiness.
  • Salty snacks like pretzels or chips
  • Fried appetizers like onion rings or calamari
  • Spicy chicken wings
  • Barbecue dishes

The Voodoo Iced Tea: A Magical and Potent Purple Potion

The Voodoo Iced Tea is a fun, vibrant, and potent cocktail that offers a fruity and colorful alternative to the classic Long Island. Its striking purple hue, achieved by mixing blue curaçao and raspberry liqueur, makes it a visual standout at any party. While its sweet, easy-drinking nature makes it dangerously delicious, its strength should not be underestimated, as it contains a full measure of five different base spirits. It's the perfect choice for someone looking for a strong, sweet, and visually impressive long drink.

Similar Cocktails

Long Island Iced Tea

The original. Uses triple sec instead of blue curaçao and raspberry liqueur, and is topped with cola instead of lemon-lime soda.

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