We’ve got so much to celebrate, that we’re dedicating the entire month of August to Tea Cocktails!
The world’s most popular beverage after water, tea can be served in numerous ways; Moroccan Mint, Indian Masala Chai, Taiwanese Bubble tea, Japanese tea ceremony, British afternoon tea and many more innovative ways of serving around the globe. Two current trends that we are loving right now are cooking with tea and tea cocktails. We will share our top tips for cooking with tea in a later blog but this month we are celebrating tea based cocktails.
Tea works really well when used as an infusion in spirits such as gin, tequila or bourbon. A strong flavoured tea, such as Earl Grey or Lapsang Souchong, will impart a subtle flavour when left to infuse in spirits, the stronger the tea the stronger the infused flavour. The colour of the tea will also infuse, black teas infusing a rich amber red, and green teas infusing the colour of pale straw. If you want to create your own tea infused spirits you will need a jar or container with a lid, combine the tea and spirits and give a shake. Leave to infuse for a given time, before straining. The longer the tea and alcohol is left to infuse, the stronger the flavour – our tea cocktails have been left to infuse for between 30 minutes to 3 days depending on the recipe
Our favourite tea-infused cocktail for this time of year is our English Breakfast classic. A black tea infused gin, simply served ice cold with lemon. It works beautifully for an afternoon tea party or summer garden party, poured from a china tea pot into cups and saucers, and garnished with a slice of lemon. What better excuse do you need to throw a party?!
Tea also works well when used as a mixer in cocktails. Take a look at our wonderful selection of alcohol-free spritzers such as Red Velvet Virgin Mojito, for inspiration. Simply brew the tea or herbal infusion as usual, strain the tea or remove the bag, chill until cold, then mix with a selection of complementary flavours, fruits or spirits.
Why not experiment and mix up your own Tea Cocktail recipes…share your creations with us, we would love to hear from you!
Where there is tea, there’s Hope and where there is cake, there’s Glory!
Hope & Glory English Breakfast
