Tea and cocktails are both very loved beverages. To be honest, their main concept is also very different. Tea is usually a hot beverage taken for warmth and calmness whereas, cocktails are refreshing cold beverages meant to take the heat away. When we say tea cocktails, it raises the eyebrows but yes! They do exist and are very unique drinks. Tea cocktails are a combination of different teas with cocktails that give you a refreshing kick.
Tea in a drink soothes your nerves and alcohol in a cocktail gives you an energetic boost. Today, we will talk about different types of tea cocktails, some top-rated recipes and some tips to create magic in your chalice.
Different Types of Tea Cocktails
You can use all types of teas to make cocktails. whether, it is black tea, green tea or herbal tea, every tea brings a unique aroma and flavour to your cocktail. Some ubiquitous tea cocktails are:
- Black tea is so common that it is also labelled as a “socially accepted drug” because of its nerve-calming abilities. It has a very strong and rich flavour and when it is combined with Whiskey, rum or Vodka, it bursts a very rigorous flavour in your mouth.
- Green tea is known for “being light” and refreshing. People drink green tea after meals to digest more effectively. It goes well with Gin, Vodka and sake. The earthy notes, combined with suitable alcohol give the drink a refreshing twist.
- Herbal teas have sweet floral notes. When they combine with spirits, they bring aromatic notes to the cocktail.
- Chai tea makes exotic cocktails when mixed with alcohol. It usually pairs well with rum, Whiskey, or Vodka.
Some Popular Tea Cocktails Recipes
Tea cocktails are gaining a lot of attention because of their unique flavour and aroma. Here are some worth trying recipes.
Earl Grey Martini Tea Cocktail
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce Earl Grey tea, chilled
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Lemon twist for garnish
Fill a shaker with ice and add gin, chilled Earl Grey tea, and simple syrup. Shake well, strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Green Tea Mojito
- 2 ounces white rum
- 1 ounce green tea, chilled
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Fresh mint leaves
- Soda water
- Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish
Mix mint leaves with lime juice and simple syrup in a glass. Fill the glass with ice and add white rum and chilled green tea. Top with soda water while gently stirring. Then garnish with a lime wedge and mint sprig.
Chamomile Bourbon Sour
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce chamomile tea, chilled
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce honey syrup
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Fill a shaker with ice and add bourbon, chilled chamomile tea, lemon juice, and honey syrup. Shake well and strain into a rock glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Spiced Chai Toddy
- 2 ounces spiced rum
- 1 ounce chai tea, hot
- 1/2 ounce honey
- Cinnamon stick for garnish
- Star anise for garnish
In a heatproof glass, combine spiced rum, hot chai tea, and honey. Stir gently then garnish with a cinnamon stick and star anise.
Matcha Margarita
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Lime wheel for garnish
In a shaker, combine matcha powder and simple syrup to create a smooth paste. Add tequila, fresh lime juice, and Cointreau to the shaker. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Jasmine Sparkler
- 2 ounces of jasmine tea, chilled
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- Champagne or sparkling wine
- Lemon twist for garnish
Fill a shaker with ice and add jasmine tea, vodka, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice. Shake well and strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne or sparkling wine and garnish with a lemon twist.
Hibiscus Gin Fizz Tea Cocktail
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce hibiscus tea, chilled
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Soda water
- Lemon twist for garnish
Add gin, chilled hibiscus tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a lemon twist.
Mint Julep Iced Tea
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce mint tea, chilled
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Fresh mint leaves
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprig for garnish
Muddle mint leaves with simple syrup in a glass. Fill the glass with crushed ice and add bourbon and chilled mint tea. Stir gently to combine and garnish with a mint sprig.
Rooibos Rum Punch
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 1 ounce rooibos tea, chilled
- 1/2 ounce orange juice
- 1/2 ounce pineapple juice
- 1/4 ounce grenadine
- Orange slice and cherry for garnish
Add dark rum, chilled rooibos tea, orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.
What Are The Benefits of Using Tea in Cocktails?
Using teas in cocktails is not only an experimenting idea. It offers a lot of benefits too.
- Adding teas to your cocktails brings a variety of flavours and aromas. You can play with as many taste profiles as you want.
- Many floral and herbal teas are naturally sweet. You can infuse them with different syrups to create unique flavour profiles. Also, if you are sugar-conscious you can reduce the sugar or syrups in your drinks.
- Teas are naturally full of antioxidants that have unlimited health benefits. Although we don’t advocate that tea cocktails are very “healthy drinks” they are better than other sugary blends.
- Tea cocktails are very aesthetically pleasing. When garnished with flowers or herbs, they are your insta-worthy story.
- Teas can be a very good source of hydration too.
Some Tips for Creating Tea Cocktails
- Tea cocktails depend on the ratio of tea and alcohol. When balanced perfectly, the drink is simply magical. So always use a balanced amount to craft flavours. Some teas are very strong as compared to others. Similarly, some alcohols have strong flavour too. Mix and match wisely and become the favourite mixologist of cocktail lovers. No flavour should overpower others.
- Use high-quality teas for fresh flavour. Stale or moist teas usually ruin the whole flavour of the drink.
- Every tea requires different brewing. For example, brewing black tea for a longer time will make it bitter. Know when not to over-steep the teas. Also, under-steeping them can block the full flavour from coming out.
- Use sweeteners to make a balanced drink. Teas and alcohol can both be bitter so use honey, agave syrup or simple syrup to make your drink worth sipping.
- Be wise when doing garnishing. Know which garnishing will suit which drink.