In case you haven’t heard, Kingsport is home to the Original Long Island Iced Tea.
The story dates back to the 1920s, during Prohibition in the United States, when Charlie “Old Man” Bishop created the first version of the drink while living on Long Island in Kingsport, Tennessee. About 20 years later, his son, Ransom Bishop, who was said to have operated a still on Long Island, added his own twist to the recipe with lemon, lime, and cola.
Today, Kingsport celebrates that piece of local history in a fun new way with the Long Island Iced Tea Trail.
Launched by Visit Kingsport in celebration of Long Island Iced Tea Day on June 6, the trail is a digital passport experience that invites visitors and residents to explore Kingsport one stop at a time. Participants can sign up for the passport, visit participating businesses, check in along the way, and earn points to redeem rewards as they experience the trail.
The Long Island Iced Tea Trail is about more than one drink. It is a creative way to bring a piece of Kingsport’s history to life while encouraging people to discover local restaurants, shops, bakeries, specialty stores, and gathering places across the city.
Each stop brings its own flavor to the experience. Some businesses are serving their take on the classic cocktail, while others are getting creative with Long Island Iced Tea-inspired menu items, sweet treats, specialty pairings, and more. That means there are plenty of ways to enjoy the trail, whether you are planning a night out, a weekend getaway, or a relaxed afternoon exploring local favorites.
The digital passport makes it easy to participate at your own pace. Start with one stop, come back for another, and keep earning points as you go. Along the way, you may find a new favorite restaurant, revisit a familiar Kingsport spot, or discover a local business for the first time.
Ready to taste, explore, and enjoy Kingsport? Redeem your free Long Island Iced Tea Trail digital passport here, check out the participating stops below, and start planning your trail experience.
Spill the tea and share your fun with us! Upload your images along the Long Island Iced Tea Trail using the code below to be featured on our channels and website!
For more Long Island Tea history, check out our Long Island Tea page.
