Folks in Tennessee are at it again, claiming they not only originated the Long Island Iced Tea — but that they make the best one.
But at least one local restaurant and bar owner said real Long Islanders know the deal: that the triple sec-based Long Island Iced Tea cocktail was invented by bartender Robert Butt during a 1972 contest at the old Oak Beach Inn.
And, while the drink invented, then reinvented, in Kingsport, Tenn., is nice — it’s not and has never been a true Long Island Iced Tea.
The debate began again this week when The Reserve on East Center Street in Kingsport unveiled a 10×10 wall mural as part of a Visit Kingsport Tennessee tourism campaign touting the city as home of “The Original Long Island Iced Tea.” With a population of about 50,000, located near the Virginia border in northeastern Tennessee, Kingsport has a backwater area on the Watts Bar Reservoir known as Long Island.
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During the 1920s, local Charlie Bishop invented a Prohibition-era drink there using five liquors and maple syrup. His son, Ransom, later tweaked the recipe — adding cola, lemon and lime. The cocktail came to be known as an “Old Man Bishop.”
At least, it was.
“Basically, this is what happens every time they’re in a little need of a tourism boost down there,” Frank Antonetti, co-owner of The Rust & Gold on Gerard Street in Huntington, said with a laugh Friday. “I’m sure Kentucky or Tennessee or wherever it is Kingsport is a beautiful state — but it’s not Long Island and their drink isn’t a real Long Island Iced Tea.”
In fact, folks in Kingsport only changed the name of their drink once Long Island’s Iced Tea became famous, Antonetti said.
That drink — Long Island’s drink — uses the orange-flavored liqueur triple sec and doesn’t have whiskey or maple syrup.
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That makes Long Island Iced Tea lighter, more refreshing and easier to drink, Antonetti, who’s a bit of a mixologist historian, said, at least, compared to the heavier, sweeter “Old Man” version.
About five years ago, the last time the friendly debate flared up, bartenders from Freeport Nautical Mile restaurant Hudsons on the Mile took on bartenders from Tennessee in a blind taste-test. Long Island’s Iced Tea won here, while the “Old Man” recipe won in Kingsport.
Butch Yamali, owner of Hudsons, wins the contest with a unanimous decision at Hudsons in Freeport on June 27, 2018. Bartenders from Kingsport, Tennessee faced off against bartenders in Freeport to see who can make the better Long Island iced tea.
Credit: Michael Owens
Artist Helen Shivell, 28, a resident of Kingsport who grew up in nearby Fall Branch, Tenn., admitted she hadn’t known the history before she was commissioned to paint the mural.
“I understand there are a lot of people who used to drink it around the community here,” she said, “but I didn’t know the difference until I had the authentic recipe for the first time last night. It had maple syrup and it was a lot stronger than the other ones I’d had. I liked it.
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“People here go for the home team,” Shivell said, “and so I’ve got to go for the home team, too. We’ve got the real Long Island Iced Tea.”
Antonetti, for one, disagrees. As far as he’s concerned, there’s no debate.
“There’s room for a million drinks in the world,” Antonetti said. “And I’m sure next time I’m in Kingsport they can make me an ‘Old Man Bishop’ and I’ll be fine with that. It’s a good drink. But as a true Long Islander here’s where I’m going to have to depart from what they’re saying down there: ‘There’s only one real Long Island — and so we’re the only ones who get to call it a Long Island Iced Tea!’ ”
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee’pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
Pick Tennessee Products Partners with Homegrown By Heroes to Promote Veteran Farmers – Clarksville Online – Clarksville News, Sports, Events and Information
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Pick Tennessee Products (PTP) program has joined together with Homegrown By Heroes to better promote local agricultural products produced by Tennessee farmer veterans.
The Homegrown By Heroes label is the official farmer U.S. military veteran branding program. Administered by the National Farmer Veteran Coalition, it certifies ranchers, farmers, and fishermen from all military branches to sell their products as veteran-owned and produced.
PTP has been connecting people everywhere to all the great things that come from Tennessee’s farms and food businesses for more than 30 years. The PTP logo informs consumers that the products displayed are produced in Tennessee.
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“We are proud of our military men and women and are honored when they choose to join our agricultural community,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “This merged Homegrown By Heroes and Pick Tennessee Products logo will allow our farmer veterans to stand out in the market as not only a Tennessee product but also a veteran-produced product.”
The mission of the Farmer Veteran Coalition is to mobilize veterans to feed America. They work to cultivate a new generation of farmers through the collaboration of the farming and military communities. The Tennessee chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC-TN) assists veterans by finding resources that will help them start their agricultural dream.
“As the President of the Tennessee chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, I am excited about the partnership of Homegrown By Heroes and Pick Tennessee Products.” Ron Bridges, owner of Bee Ridges Farm in Anderson County, said. “This merged logo will serve as a symbol of the productive partnership between FVC-TN and TDA. Many FVC-TN members have enjoyed the benefits of advertising through the Pick Tennessee Products website and adding their Homegrown By Heroes veteran status has helped increase their customer base. Merging the two logos simplifies their visual presence and honors their military service and their farm’s specialty status.”
Many members of FVC-TN are beginning farmers working hard to build their customer base. “Having the Pick TN Products and Homegrown By Heroes logos as part of our farm’s marketing has been a tremendous help in reassuring customers of our quality and integrity,” said Rory Williams of M and R Farm in Marshall County. “I imagine that combining the two logos will strengthen our relationship-building going forward. We are honored to be able to advertise that our farm qualifies for both.”
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Jennifer Rafn, owner of Pecan Hill Farms in Lincoln County, said, “We are proud to be able to share with our customers and others that we are a Pick Tennessee Products producer and a Homegrown By Heroes producer. We look forward to being able to showcase both memberships and hope to stand out as a producer with the combined logo.”
Find out more about Homegrown By Heroes by visiting farmvetco.org/hbh/. Find local products and more at www.picktnproducts.org/ and the free Pick TN mobile app. Look for the Homegrown By Heroes logo throughout the Pick Tennessee Products website to find a farmer veteran near you.
The Tennessee Volunteers already have the No. 11 class in the 2025 recruiting cycle. In honor of America’s birthday, we look at what fireworks could be in store as they close this class.
The 4th of July always calls for fireworks and festivites as we celebrate our country’s birth. The Tennessee Volunteers are still swinging hard on the recruiting trail this month, and we examine a few potential fireworks that could be set off over the next few weeks for them.
Landing David Sanders
Providence Day School offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. is officially in decision mode after a flurry of official visits this summer. It seems like his recruitment will stretch into August, with a decision coming before his senior season. There are several blue blood programs still fighting for his services, but this battle likely comes down to Ohio State vs. Tennessee. Sanders would be the highest-rated commit to join Tennessee under head coach Josh Heupel.
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Surviving the race for Travis Smith
Westlake High School wide receiver Travis Smith will commit to Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, or Tennessee on July 13. The talented Peach State native has favored the Bulldogs throughout his recruitment, but recent developments point to the Vols as a top suitor for his services. He ranks as the No. 75 prospect in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, and would be Tennessee’s third wide receiver commit in the 2025 class.
Flipping Jadon Perlotte
Buford High School linebacker Jadon Perlotte is one of the most physically gifted defenders in America. The long-time Georgia commit has always kept an open recruitment, and Tennessee has actively recruited him for a long time. The Vols had a lot of buzz after his official visit this summer and are swinging hard to make him the centerpiece of their linebacker class.
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