Texas Roadhouse Southern Whiskey Long Island Iced Tea Recipe

Texas Roadhouse Southern Whiskey Long Island Iced Tea drink takes the classic Long Island Iced Tea and swaps in whiskey. So you get something smoother and warmer instead of sharp. I use Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam, and Southern Comfort, and together they build the Southern-style base this drink is known for.

There’s no official Texas Roadhouse recipe published anywhere, so this is my copycat version, and it’s built to match what people describe after trying the real thing. It takes a few minutes, and you’ll know exactly what’s going into your glass.

What Makes This the “Southern Whiskey” Version

A regular Long Island Iced Tea leans on vodka, gin, rum, and tequila, but this one skips all of that and goes straight to whiskey. Jack Daniel’s gives you the classic Tennessee whiskey backbone, and Jim Beam adds a rounder, sweeter bourbon note on top of it.

Whiskey and sour mix shaking in a cocktail shaker with ice

Southern Comfort ties the two together with a soft peach-and-spice flavor, so the drink doesn’t taste like straight liquor. Then the sour mix cuts through that sweetness with some tang, and the cola on top finishes it off with fizz and that familiar amber color.

How Strong Is This Drink

You’re pouring three full shots of hard liquor into one glass, so this isn’t a light drink, even though it goes down smooth. Expect it to land around two standard drinks per glass, depending on how heavy your pour is.

I’d sip this one slowly, and I’d pace myself if I’m having more than one, since the sour mix and cola make it easy to forget how strong it actually is.

What You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into the glass, and why each one earns its spot.

Jack Daniel’s — this is the main whiskey flavor, so it sets the tone for the whole drink.
Jim Beam — I add this for a second, sweeter bourbon layer, since it rounds out the Jack Daniel’s.
Southern Comfort — this smooths the blend with peach and spice, so the whiskey doesn’t sit on your tongue alone.
Sweet and sour mix — this balances the whiskey with some citrus tang, so the drink doesn’t taste too heavy.
Cola — this adds fizz and gives the drink its signature color.
Lime wedge — I use this for aroma and a finished, classic look.

No sour mix on hand? Mix fresh lemon juice with a little simple syrup instead, and you’ll get a brighter, less artificial flavor. Want fewer calories? Swap in diet cola, and the taste barely changes. Don’t have the exact brands? Any solid Tennessee whiskey or bourbon can generally stand in, though I haven’t tested this specific recipe with substitutes, so the balance may shift a little.

Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need much for this one, so here’s the short list.

Jigger or small measuring cup, so your pours stay accurate
Cocktail shaker, for mixing and chilling the drink
Tall highball or Collins glass, for serving
Bar spoon, so you can pour the cola in slowly

How to Make It

1. Measure the spirits.
Pour ¾ oz each of Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam, and Southern Comfort into your shaker. Measure each one, because with three spirits going into one glass, a heavy hand on any of them throws off the whole balance.

2. Add ice and shake.
Fill the shaker about three-quarters full with ice, seal it, and shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds, until the outside feels cold and frosty. That’s your sign it’s chilled and mixed properly.

3. Add the sour mix.
Pour in about 1 oz of sour mix, then give the shaker one more quick shake so it all comes together.

4. Strain into a fresh glass.
Fill your serving glass with fresh ice, not the ice from the shaker, and strain the mixture over it. Fresh ice keeps the drink from watering down too fast.

5. Top with cola.
Pour the cola in slowly, ideally over the back of a spoon, so you keep a light layered look instead of mixing everything together right away.

6. Garnish and serve.
Add a lime wedge, and serve it right away while it’s still cold and fizzy.

Recipe

Texas Roadhouse Southern Whiskey Long Island Iced Tea Recipe (Copycat)

5 FROM 135 VOTES

Estimated Cost: $2–$3 per serving

A whiskey-forward twist on the classic Long Island Iced Tea, made with Jack Daniel's, Jim Beam, and Southern Comfort, topped with cola.

Texas Roadhouse Southern Whiskey Long Island Iced Tea Recipe (Copycat)

PREP TIME 5

COURSE Beverage, Cocktail

TOTAL TIME 5

CALORIES 220–275 kcal (estimated)

SERVINGS 1

AUTHOR Jannatul Yesmin

CUISINE American, Southern

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

INSTRUCTIONS

Measure the spirits: Pour ¾ oz each of Jack Daniel's, Jim Beam, and Southern Comfort into your shaker. Measure each one, because with three spirits going into one glass, a heavy hand on any of them throws off the whole balance.
Add ice and shake: Fill the shaker about three-quarters full with ice, seal it, and shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds, until the outside feels cold and frosty. That's your sign it's chilled and mixed properly.
Add the sour mix: Pour in about 1 oz of sour mix, then give the shaker one more quick shake so it all comes together.
Strain into a fresh glass: Fill your serving glass with fresh ice, not the ice from the shaker, and strain the mixture over it. Fresh ice keeps the drink from watering down too fast.
Top with cola: Pour the cola in slowly, ideally over the back of a spoon, so you keep a light layered look instead of mixing everything together right away.
Garnish and serve: Add a lime wedge, and serve it right away while it's still cold and fizzy.

RECIPE NOTES

Recipe Tips

Measure every spirit instead of eyeballing it, because a heavy pour on any one of them throws the whole drink off balance. Use fresh ice for the final glass, since shaker ice has already started to melt and dilute by the time you strain it.
Pour the cola slowly, so you keep that layered look instead of losing it in one splash. And taste the mix before you top it with cola, so you can still adjust the sour mix while it's easy to fix.

NUTRITION FACTS

Roughly 220–275 calories, mostly from alcohol and the sugar in the cola and sour mix. Exact values depend on your pour and cola choice, so treat this as an estimate. This drink is intended for adults of legal drinking age.

Tips for a Better Pour

Measure every spirit instead of eyeballing it, because a heavy pour on any one of them throws the whole drink off balance. Use fresh ice for the final glass, since shaker ice has already started to melt and dilute by the time you strain it.

Pour the cola slowly, so you keep that layered look instead of losing it in one splash. And taste the mix before you top it with cola, so you can still adjust the sour mix while it’s easy to fix.

What to Serve It With

I like pairing this with something salty and savory, since the drink is strong enough to stand up to bold flavors. Fried pickles work well for something crunchy and tangy, and garlic mashed potatoes are a good match if you’re serving it alongside a full meal instead of on its own.

Storage

This one doesn’t store well, and honestly, it’s not meant to. Once the cola and ice go in, the fizz fades fast and the flavors start to shift, so it’s best enjoyed right after you make it.

If you’re serving a group, mix individual glasses close to serving time instead of batching a pitcher ahead. The spirits and sour mix themselves store fine in your liquor cabinet and fridge on their own, so you can always have them ready for next time.