Classic cocktails undoubtedly have their charm, but every now and then you crave a bit more excitement in your drinks, right? And that's where tea comes in – adding that extra something to your cocktails when you need it most! It’s a perfect ingredient to add a layer of delight to the drinks, making them totally irresistible.
If that sounds like fun, look no further than our top picks. We’ve got you covered with 5 best tea cocktails that’ll refresh your classic cocktails and make your next gathering more enjoyable.
So, get ready to spice up your cocktails and bring back the excitement!
Introduction to tea cocktails
As the name suggests, tea cocktails are exactly that – cocktails made with tea. Tea is used as a base and is mixed with liquor, fruit juices, herbs and spices for extra flavour. The result is a refreshing drink with a layered taste that’s more interesting than many standard cocktails. They’re simple to make and just need a little attention to balance the flavours.
Tea based cocktails may seem new, but they’ve been around for hundreds of years. Long ago, people were already mixing tea with alcohol. One of the first known examples is English milk punch, which was popular in the mid-1700s.
These cocktails are back in the spotlight, though. You’ll now find them on menus all over Australia, from local bars to places like Loft, G & Tea and Pilgrim Bar. But you don’t have to be in a bar to enjoy them – you can easily make them at home.
Key ingredients for tea cocktails
At the core of every good drink, there’s a balance of ingredients. Well, tea cocktails are no different. When tea is mixed with the right spirits and fresh ingredients, it adds layers of flavour without overpowering the taste. Let’s take a look at some of the essentials:
Various tea types:
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Black tea: Let’s start with the most common base. It’s bold and full of flavour – it also pairs nicely with spirits like whiskey, bourbon, rum and even tequila, without its taste getting lost. That makes it work really well in tea cocktails, such as an Earl Grey Martini or an alcoholic Arnold Palmer.
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Green tea: Green tea is much lighter and fresher. It has that vegetal flavour that makes drinks feel refreshing. A green tea mojito is a good example – the tea blends smoothly with rum, mint and citrus for a lively drink.
- Herbal tea (or tisanes): Adding tisanes to your tea cocktails is the easiest way to improve the flavour and give them a lovely look. They’ve become really popular in cocktails because of their effect on the drink. Chamomile, hibiscus and rooibos are some of the best examples.
Complementary spirits and mixers:
Spirits and mixers can completely change a tea cocktail for the better when the balance is just right. So, pairing well makes all the difference. Floral teas usually go well with gin or vodka, while strong black teas pair perfectly with whiskey, bourbon or rum. To make it even better, add some citrus juice, honey or simple syrup.
Fresh ingredients:
Fresh ingredients can make a big difference. Adding things like mint, fresh fruit or spices adds extra flavour and fragrance. A lot of people also like to experiment with ginger, cinnamon or even chilli to give their tea cocktails some uniqueness.
Popular tea cocktail recipes
Tea cocktails are a lot of fun, and making them at home lets you discover new flavours and enjoy a refreshing drink. Here are some popular tea based cocktails that show just how tea can make cocktails fresh, interesting, and full of flavour.
Earl grey martini
Ingredients:
• 60 ml gin (Tanqueray or Roku)
• 1 tea bag of Earl Grey
• 22 ml lemon juice
• 30 ml simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)
• Ice cubes
• Sugar for rimming (optional)
• Lemon peel for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
• Make Earl Grey tea and pour it into a jar along with gin. Then let the mixture sit for about two hours. This step is key – it’s what gives this drink its layered taste. Now, remove the tea bag.
• While the gin is infusing, chill a martini glass. You can also lightly rim it with sugar if you like subtle sweetness in your cocktail. Fill a shaker with infused gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and ice. Shake well and strain the drink into your glass. You can garnish with a lemon peel.
Green tea mojito
Ingredients:
• 1 green tea bag (like Chunmee)
• 125 ml hot water
• 1-2 tsp sugar (to taste)
• 6-8 fresh mint leaves
• ½ lime, cut into wedges
• Ice cubes
• 60 ml white rum
• Soda water, to top
• Extra mint and lime for garnish
Instructions:
• Brew the green tea in hot water for a few minutes, then remove the tea bag. Add some sugar and stir until dissolved. Let the mixture sit till it’s completely cool.
• In a tall glass, gently muddle the mint leaves and lime wedges to release their flavours. Fill the glass with ice, then pour over the cooled green tea and rum. Top it up with soda water and stir gently. It’s a good idea to garnish tea cocktails like this one with fresh mint and lime.
Chamomile citrus spritz
Ingredients:
• 1 chamomile tea bag
• 125 ml hot water
• Ice cubes
• 20 ml fresh lemon juice
• 1-2 tsp honey (optional)
• 30-45 ml gin (optional)
• Soda water, to top
• Lemon wedge for garnish
Instructions:
• Steep the chamomile tea bag in hot water for about five minutes. Then remove the bag and wait for the tea to cool completely. This step is important for cocktails like this one to get a nice floral base.
• Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the cooled chamomile tea. Next, add lemon juice and honey. The honey is completely optional. Stir gently so everything mixes well.
• If you’re making the alcoholic version, add the gin at this stage. Top up the glass with chilled soda water and gently stir it one last time. Garnish with a lemon wedge and serve straight away.
Hibiscus vodka punch
Ingredients:
• 2 hibiscus tea bags
• 250 ml hot water
• Ice cubes
• 60 ml vodka
• 30 ml orange juice
• 15 ml fresh lemon juice
• 1-2 tsp sugar (optional)
• Soda water, to top
• Orange slice for garnish
Instructions:
• Steep the hibiscus tea bags in hot water for about five minutes. Then remove them and let the tea cool completely. Hibiscus tea gives tea based cocktails like this one their deep colour and slightly tart flavour.
• Fill a glass with ice and pour in the cooled drink. Add the vodka, orange juice and lemon juice, then stir gently. Taste it and add some sweetener, if needed. Top with soda water and stir again. It’s a good idea to garnish it with fruit. Serve chilled – this is one of those tea based cocktails that’s not just a tasty treat but also a visual one.
Matcha mint julep
Ingredients:
• 1 tsp matcha green tea powder
• 60 ml warm water
• 8-10 fresh mint leaves
• 2 tsp sugar
• 15 ml fresh lemon juice
• 60 ml bourbon
• Ice cubes
• Extra mint for garnish
Instructions:
• Add the matcha powder to warm water and whisk until it blends into a smooth and even mixture. This forms the base of many tea cocktails that use matcha for depth and colour.
• Take a jar and add the mint leaves and sugar. Gently muddle until the sugar dissolves and the mint releases its aroma. Add the lemon juice, bourbon and the matcha tea you prepared earlier. Stir to mix them well.
• Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice. Press lightly on the mint to extract flavour.
• Garnish with fresh mint and serve chilled.
Tea-infused garnishes and syrups
Before you get started with tea cocktails at home, make sure you’ve got some tea infused garnishes and syrups ready. Here's a little information to get you started.
Syrups:
- Simple tea syrups. The most common way to make tea-infused syrups is by steeping tea bags (or loose tea leaves) in the hot sugar water mixture. Use black teas like darjeeling earl grey or chai tea for a strong tea flavour or green teas like matcha, mao feng and chun mee offer a delicate grassy flavour.
- Fruity tea syrups. You can pair fruits with teas that have a complementary taste for fruity tea syrups. For example, you can steep berries with hibiscus tea or mango with chamomile tea. There are so many incredible combinations already out there, you won't even need to do any experimenting!
Garnishes and presentation:
- Tea-flavoured ice cubes. Steep herbs with tea bags (or loose tea leaves) in hot water for a few minutes, then strain and use the fragrant liquid to make tea ice cubes.
- Tea-flavoured fruit slices. Infuse fruit slices with strong tea for cocktail garnishes. Refrigerate for hours, then pat dry before use.
- Place the infused fruit slices or citrus twists on the rim of the cocktail glass or float it on the drink to add visual appeal.
Conclusion
Tea cocktails show just how creative drinks can be when you mix tea with the right spirits and fresh ingredients. They add layers of flavour and make the drink more intriguing and enjoyable.
They’re not even difficult to make. Different types of tea work best with certain spirits, but there’s plenty of room to experiment and make some unique tea based cocktails. You can also add syrups, fresh herbs or fruits to make your creations even more exciting. They further boost the flavour and give your drink a visually appealing touch.
With a little imagination, simple tea cocktails can become something really special. Now it’s your turn – make your own tea based cocktails and taste the difference.
Faqs on tea cocktails
Q. What is the best tea for cocktails?
a. Choosing the best tea for cocktails depends on the taste you want to create. Black tea has a strong flavour that works well in rich cocktails. Green tea has lighter notes that work well with delicate flavours that don’t overpower its taste. Herbal teas, like chamomile or hibiscus, have interesting flavours and appearances that work well with various spirits.
Q. Can i make non-alcoholic tea cocktails?
a. Well, you don’t need alcohol to make a tea cocktail taste special. Non-alcoholic tea based cocktails, or mocktails, are a great way to enjoy some variations in flavour. Just mix your favourite tea with syrups, fresh fruit and herbs. You’ll end up with something refreshing, fun and completely guilt-free.
Q. Where can i find quality tea in australia?
a. Finding great tea in Australia is easier than you might think. Gourmet stores and quality brands offer a wide range of premium options. Teapigs, for example, has everything from Earl Grey and Darjeeling to herbal teas like chamomile and hibiscus. Each tea bag is carefully packed with quality ingredients to give you an outstanding experience.
Q. Are there health benefits to tea-based cocktails?
a. Tea cocktails can be a lighter option compared to many traditional cocktails. They usually contain less alcohol. That means they may be easier on your body. On top of that, the tea adds antioxidants and other beneficial compounds to the drink. That said, it’s still important to enjoy them in moderation.
