Big Island Iced Tea

This is the tiki version of the Long Island Iced Tea and inspired by my husband Ken. I make homemade tea using Mamaki* (only grown in Hawaii) and Lemongrass with ingredients from mine and Monika's property. I was wondering if a cocktail could be made using this tea and Ken came up with this drink idea. In place of cola, I used the tea and a bit of Falernum. I did not have Triple Sec on hand so I used Blue Curacao, which actually gave the drink a nice blue green ocean color. If you do not have the tea or Falernum, you can make this drink without them...the drink will be more blue and will still be delicious. Actually, the real Long Island Iced Tea does not even use real tea.

Ingredients

• 1 jigger vodka

• 1 jigger gin

• 1 jigger coconut rum

• 1 jigger tequila

• 1/2 jigger Blue Curacao

• 2 teaspoons lemon juice

• 1/2 Cup homemade Mamaki* Lemongrass Tea (chilled)*

• 1 teaspoon Falernum

• 1 lemon wedge for garnish

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a shaker full of ice and shake until blended (about 30 seconds). Fill a tall glass with ice and pour mixture into the glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge and an umbrella! Be careful, it doesn't taste strong or like alcohol at all (just like a Long Island Iced Tea), but it packs a punch like a big wave!

*I make homemade Mamaki Lemongrass Tea with Mamaki tea leave only grown in Hawaii. We have a nice tree that was already growing on our property and Monika gave us some starter plants of Lemongrass, which has a mild lemon flavor without the acidity of real lemons. Mamaki has an earthy flavor so mixed with lemongrass, it gives the tea a nice blend.