Tea, with its diverse flavors and aromatic profiles, isn’t just reserved for teatime. Elevate your cocktail experience by incorporating the depth and complexity of tea into your libations. In this blog, we’ll explore ten tea cocktails, whether infused directly or added as a key component, to add a unique twist to your next gathering or quiet evening at home.
1. Earl Grey Martini: The Citrus Infusion
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Earl Grey tea-infused gin
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions:
- Infuse gin with Earl Grey tea by letting loose leaves steep in the spirit. Combine the infused gin with simple syrup and fresh lemon juice in a shaker. Shake well, strain into a martini glass, and garnish with a lemon twist.
2. Chamomile Honey Whiskey Sour: Tranquil Elegance
Ingredients:
- 2 oz chamomile tea-infused whiskey
- 0.75 oz honey syrup
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- Lemon slice and chamomile flowers for garnish
Instructions:
- Infuse whiskey with chamomile tea for a floral touch. Mix the chamomile-infused whiskey with honey syrup and fresh lemon juice. Shake over ice, strain into a glass, and garnish with a lemon slice and chamomile flowers.
3. Matcha Mint Julep: Green Elixir
Ingredients:
- 2 oz matcha tea
- 2 oz bourbon
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- Fresh mint leaves
- Crushed ice
Instructions:
- Brew a strong cup of matcha tea and let it cool. Muddle fresh mint leaves in a glass, add bourbon, simple syrup, and the cooled matcha tea. Stir well, add crushed ice, and garnish with a mint sprig.
4. Spiced Chai Old Fashioned: Aromatic Nostalgia
Ingredients:
- 2 oz chai tea-infused bourbon
- 0.25 oz simple syrup
- Orange peel twist
- Angostura bitters
- Ice
Instructions:
- Infuse bourbon with chai tea for warm spices. In a glass, combine chai-infused bourbon, simple syrup, and a few dashes of Angostura bitters. Stir over ice, garnish with an orange peel twist, and savor the aromatic blend.
5. Hibiscus Vodka Lemonade: Vibrant Refresher
Ingredients:
- 2 oz hibiscus tea-infused vodka
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- Club soda
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions:
- Infuse vodka with hibiscus tea for a bold hue. Combine hibiscus-infused vodka, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker. Shake well, strain into a glass over ice, top with club soda, and garnish with a lemon wheel.
6. Green Tea Mojito: Fresh Fusion
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz green tea-infused rum
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- Fresh lime juice
- Fresh mint leaves
- Soda water
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions:
- Infuse rum with green tea for a light and earthy flavor. In a glass, muddle mint leaves, add green tea-infused rum, simple syrup, and fresh lime juice. Fill the glass with ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a lime wedge.
7. Rooibos Orange Blossom Fizz: Sunset Sensation
Ingredients:
- 2 oz rooibos tea-infused gin
- 0.75 oz orange blossom water
- 0.5 oz agave syrup
- Orange slice for garnish
- Club soda
Instructions:
- Infuse gin with rooibos tea for a rich, caffeine-free base. In a shaker, combine rooibos-infused gin, orange blossom water, and agave syrup. Shake well, strain into a glass over ice, top with club soda, and garnish with an orange slice.
8. Lavender Lemon Earl Grey: Floral Elegance
Ingredients:
- 2 oz lavender-infused gin
- 0.75 oz Earl Grey tea
- 0.5 oz lavender syrup
- Fresh lemon juice
- Lavender sprig for garnish
Instructions:
- Infuse gin with dried lavender for a fragrant twist. Combine lavender-infused gin, freshly brewed Earl Grey tea, lavender syrup, and fresh lemon juice in a shaker. Shake well, strain into a glass over ice, and garnish with a lavender sprig.
9. Peppermint Mocha Martini: Winter Indulgence
Ingredients:
- 2 oz peppermint tea-infused vodka
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- Chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions:
- Infuse vodka with peppermint tea for a festive touch. Combine peppermint tea-infused vodka, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup in a shaker. Shake well, strain into a martini glass, and garnish with chocolate shavings.
10. Jasmine Paloma: Floral Citrus Bliss
Ingredients:
- 2 oz jasmine tea-infused tequila
- 1 oz grapefruit juice
- 0.5 oz agave syrup
- Club soda
- Grapefruit slice for garnish
Instructions:
- Infuse tequila with jasmine tea for a delicate flavor. In a glass, combine jasmine tea-infused tequila, grapefruit juice, and agave syrup. Fill the glass with ice, top with club soda, and garnish with a grapefruit slice.
Conclusion:
Tea cocktails offer a delightful fusion of classic and contemporary flavors, making them a perfect addition to any occasion. Experiment with these recipes, play with different tea varieties, and discover the endless possibilities of tea-infused or tea-added concoctions. Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or a cocktail aficionado, these blends are sure to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your mixology game. Cheers to the art of crafting exquisite tea cocktails!
