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
Tea cocktails are a type of mixed drinks that combine tea extracts or syrups with various types of liquor and other mixers such as juices and spices. The combination of complex flavours of tea and the finest spirits creates beverages that are refreshing and exceptional.
While this idea might seem modern, tea-based cocktails have a surprisingly long history. In fact, they've been around for centuries – english milk punch being one of the very first tea-infused cocktails, all the way back in the mid-18th century!
But guess what? They’re back in action and getting more popular by the day! And now you can find them almost everywhere in australia – like loft, g & tea and pilgrim bar. Well... We're not complaining! We absolutely love how they're changing up the way we mix drinks!
Key ingredients for tea cocktails
To make tea-based cocktails, you'll need a selection of key ingredients – let’s explore some of them:
Various tea types:
- Black tea: its bold and robust flavour is perfect for earl grey martini or classic cocktails like the boozy arnold palmer! You can also mix it up with whiskey, bourbon, rum or tequila for an outstanding drink.
- Green tea: its fresh and grassy flavour makes a refreshing drink that gives an energy boost. Take the green tea mojito, for example, it's all about the refreshing qualities of green tea that combine beautifully with rum and other ingredients.
- Herbal tea (or tisanes): the use of herbal teas in cocktails is really catching on, and it's no wonder why – they’ve complex and interesting flavours that can really enhance the taste of your drink.
Complementary spirits and mixers:
The right spirits can make your tea cocktails extraordinary! Spirits like gin and vodka pair beautifully with floral teas like chamomile and hibiscus, while spirits like whiskey, bourbon and rum complement the robust flavour of black tea.
As for mixers, citrus juices such as lemon and lime bring out the tea's brightness, while syrups like pistachio honey and simple syrup add an extra layer of flavour and sweetness to your drink.
Fresh ingredients:
Fresh fruits, herbs and spices can further enhance the profile and flavour of your tea-based cocktails. The trick is to know which flavours complement each other and then get creative with your fresh ingredients. Many mixologists experiment with ginger, cinnamon or chillies also, for an outstanding experience.
Popular tea cocktail recipes
Let’s explore some of the popular recipes for tea cocktails...try them all and pick your favourites!
Earl grey martini
Start by infusing the essence of earl grey tea into warm water and letting it steep. Add some sugar and simmer until it transforms into an amber syrup.
In a shaker, pour in your favourite gin (tanqueray or roku) and add the tea syrup you made just now. Squeeze in a splash of fresh lemon for that lemony kick. Give it all a good shake to blend the flavours. Pour into your chilled glasses and finish with a twist of lemon peel for that visual appeal.
Green tea mojito
The green tea mojito is a must-try, even if you're not a regular drinker! Incidentally, it’s very simple to make – start by steeping green tea bags (like chun mee) in hot water for a few minutes. Then, add some sugar and give it a gentle stir until it's perfectly dissolved.
Let it cool down, then place it in the fridge to chill. In your glass, gently muddle fresh mint leaves and lime wedges to unlock their refreshing flavours.
Fill the glass with ice, pour in the cooled green tea and add white rum. Finish off with some soda water and give it a gentle stir. Then, garnish with some mint and a lime wedge.
Chamomile citrus spritz
A chamomile citrus spritz is one of the most calming tea cocktails that can be enjoyed as a non-alcoholic beverage or with a shot of gin for the adult version.
To make this drink, start by steeping a chamomile tea bag in hot water for 5 minutes. Then, in a glass with ice, combine some cooled chamomile tea, a shot of gin, fresh lemon juice and some honey (optional). Now, top it with chilled club soda and garnish with a lemon wedge and a chamomile flower (it’s optional, of course).
Hibiscus vodka punch
Hibiscus vodka punch is a vibrant party drink that combines the floral tartness of hibiscus with vodka's kick. To make this delicious drink, start by preparing hibiscus tea using a hibiscus tea bag (or dried hibiscus flowers) and water. Simmer them together before letting it steep for 10-15 minutes.
Once cooled, discard the tea bag or strain out the flowers. Then, make some simple syrup with honey by mixing equal parts honey and hot water – then let this also cool.
Grab your cocktail shaker and add vodka, hibiscus tea, lemon juice, honey syrup and ice. Shake it well and pour it into a glass.
Matcha mint julep
For a fresh twist on the mint julep try mixing matcha green tea with mint syrup and bourbon!
Here's a quick recipe. In a bowl, slowly mix matcha with water, stirring continuously until it forms a smooth paste. Gradually add the remaining water while stirring. Place mint leaves and sugar in a jar and muddle until the sugar dissolves and the leaves are gently bruised.
Add some lemon juice, along with bourbon and the matcha mixture. Then, strain the mixture through a sieve, pressing gently on the mint to extract its flavours. If required, adjust the taste by adding more lemon. Pour into an ice-filled glass and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
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 are a fantastic way to add a refreshing twist to your favourite drinks. By using tea extracts or syrups, you can easily create unusual variations. And, since different tea types go well with different spirits, the possibilities are almost endless! You could probably create variations of all the popular cocktails you know and enjoy.
You can further improve the tea cocktail experience by adding some tea-infused syrups and garnishes. Tea-infused syrups, mixers and fresh ingredients pair beautifully with complementary spirits and create a visual appeal.
So, next time you're looking for a more exciting cocktail, consider giving tea cocktails a try!
Faqs on tea cocktails
Q. What is the best tea for cocktails?
A. The best tea for cocktails depends on the flavour you have in mind. If you like bold and robust cocktails, black tea varieties like earl grey and chai tea work well, and for fresh and grassy taste, green teas work well. Herbal teas come in an amazing variety, and each combines differently with different spirits.
Q. Can i make non-alcoholic tea cocktails?
A. When you’re looking for drinks with amazing flavour without the booze, try non-alcoholic tea cocktails (or mocktails). They’re an interesting alternative when you want to avoid liquor. By combining tea extracts, syrups and fresh ingredients, you can create refreshing beverages without the need for spirits…and no hangover worries.
Q. Where can i find quality tea in australia?
A. In australia, quality tea can be found at various specialty stores and online retailers like teapigs. At teapigs, we offer premium tea bags in a variety of flavours, ranging from darjeeling earl grey to various herbal tea blends. Our dedication to sourcing high-quality tea leaves ensures a richer experience.
Q. Are there health benefits to tea-based cocktails?
A. Tea cocktails are a great choice for those who prefer a lighter option! Compared to traditional cocktails, they usually have less alcohol, which can reduce health risks. Plus, the tea in the drink gives antioxidants and other healthy stuff. However, it’s still important to remember that excessive consumption of tea cocktails can also negatively impact health.
