Mixing it up with tea cocktails

Posted by Annabel De Vrij on

Tea cocktails are becoming increasingly popular, there are dozens of variations of classic cocktails made with tea infusions and iced tea mixers. We decided to have a day of cocktail making to see what all the fuss was about.

Tea Cocktails Best Coffee UK

Here’s what we made… 

Green Tea Cooler

  • 4 Teaspoons Gun Powder Green Loose Leaf Tea
  • 2 Cup boiling water
  • 1 Cups London Dry Gin
  • Juice of 1 Lime
  • Juice of 1 Lemon
  • (Simple Syrup to sweeten if required)

How to

Steep the Gun Powder Green tea in the boiling water for 3 minutes, then set aside to cool.

Pour the gin, lime and lemon juice in a pitcher of ice. Pour in the cooled green tea and stir well. Add simple syrup to sweeten if preferred. Serve in a tall glass with a wedge of lime.

Verdict – A grown-up citrus and smoky tea cooler. Picture-perfect to sip while enjoying civilised conversations.

Tea Cocktail Best Coffee UK

 

Organic Red Berry Tea Margarita

To make the tea base add 4 Teaspoons Organic Red Berry Tea to 2 Cups boiling water and leave to steep for 30 minutes.

  • ½ Cup of pre-made tea
  • Juice of 1 Lime
  • 2 Ounces Silver Tequila
  • 1 Tablespoon Simple Syrup
  • Ice

How to

Add pre-made tea, lime juice, simple syrup and tequila to a cocktail shaker and shake energetically to combine. Pour into 2 tall glasses with extra ice and serve.

Verdict – Fruity and light, this is a thirst-quenching and refreshing summer champion. Great for daytime drinks in the sunshine.

Tea Cocktail Best Coffee UK

Earl Grey Infused Old Fashioned

  • 1 Cup of Whiskey (I used Gentleman Jack)
  • 1 Earl Grey Pyramid Tea Bag
  • 2 Ounces Infused Whiskey
  • ½ Ounces Simple Syrup
  • 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
  • 2 Dashes Orange Bitters
  • Ice

How to

Place the tea bag and whiskey in a sealed airtight container to infuse. I left mine for 48 hours but 24 was in the original recipe.

Pour the infused whiskey, bitters and simple syrup into a tumbler and stir well. Add one large ice cube. Garnish with a slice of orange peel. 

Verdict – Perfect any time of day or evening. A warming, zesty and drinkable twist on a classic.

Tea Cocktail Best Coffee UK

We now know why so many people are raving about tea cocktails!

They make the perfect summer drink and offer a delicious alternative to sugary or fizzy mixers.

Using a high-quality tea or tisane as the foundation for a cocktail provides flavour and colour to create countless drink combinations. You have total control over the strength and potency of these thirst-quenchers.  It really is worth experimenting.

I made a simple alcohol-free cocktail with Prickly Pear and Kiwi tea*, lime juice and simple syrup, shaken in a cocktail shaker and served over ice with a wedge of lime.

This was for my two nephews, aged 9 and 11. They enjoyed the virgin cocktails just as much as the adults enjoyed the fully-loaded versions.

Making the cocktails was simple and provided a sense of occasion to a sunny Saturday. I can recommend a day of tea without the sympathy, invite some friends or family and shake things up!

Try them for yourself and let us know how you get on. 

*Prickly pear and Kiwi tea coming soon to the online store.


Share this post



← Older Post


Leave a comment