Tornado Cocktail

Tornado Mixed Drink Recipe
Smdeenham / Photolibrary / Getty Images
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The Tornado is a rather strong mixed drink that makes a great visual impression. It's a fun drink and one that you'll want to share with friends; with a table full of Tornados whirling, it can be entertaining.

This drink is similar to a Long Island Iced Tea, complete with four spirits and a shot of cola, but it is a little different. The manner in which it is prepared and served is integral to the effect and the name behind the drink. When done right, you'll have a miniature twister inside your glass, complete with flying debris.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Stir liquors in a Collins glass.

  3. Add sugar and stir again (but not too well).

  4. Add 3 ice cubes, then cola.

  5. Stir three times and serve with a straw. Enjoy.

Tips

  • Not Too Much. Don't fill your glass completely with cola, but leave a little room on the top. This will prevent splashes and spills as you get your twister spinning.
  • The Booze. The Tornado is more novelty than an impressive drink, so there's really no need to spend a significant amount of cash on the liquor that goes inside. Just as with any of the Long Island style of drinks, use the bottles in your bar's 'well' for this one.
  • It's All About the Effect. Ingredients really don't matter much with the Tornado because the drink is a spectacle that just happens to be drinkable. That means you should care more about the visual effect and the taste will take care of itself.
  • Enjoy it While it Lasts. The ice and sugar will only last so long under agitation. The sugar will eventually dissolve into the drink and the ice will melt faster. We typically fill a glass with ice to slow dilution and those three lonely cubes have a lot of work to do. Add in the swirling and they'll be gone before you know it.


How Strong is the Tornado?

Comparing the Tornado to the Long Island makes one realize the difference the 1-ounce pours of liquor can make. The more popular drink is typically made with 1/2-ounce of each liquor and it uses much more ice to help out with dilution, so that drink can be as mild as 30 proof.


The Tornado is a different story. We knock the ice down significantly, skip the sour mix, and the liquor volume totals 4 ounces (rather than the 2 1/2 ounces in the Long Island). Even if we pour the same 2 ounces of cola, the Tornado weighs in at a hefty 22 percent ABV (44 proof). It may not seem like a big difference, but after a few rounds, you will feel it.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
299 Calories
0g Fat
11g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 299
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 1mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 5mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)