Whether you’ve got unused tea bags sitting in your cupboard or are a bona-fide tea aficionado, these hot and cold tea-based cocktails are sure to be a hit at your next dinner party or quiet night at home!
Try them out, and see what you think!
Hot and cold tea cocktails
Hot tea cocktails
Russian tea
This sweet and spicy drink is perfect for both cozy nights at home or a party full of guests. Made from strongly steeped black tea mixed with pineapple juice, orange juice, sugar and a blend of sweet spices, this drink is sure to please at any winter party.
A typical Russian Tea recipe contains caffeine, but you can still make this drink with caffeine-free tea bags for a more herbal drink. It's a great drink for a party or large gathering as it can be kept simmering in the slow cooker or on the stove for long periods of time.
Though the recipe doesn't include it, you can add bourbon or brandy to this Russian tea to turn this cozy cuppa into a warm, spicy punch.
Matcha hot chocolate
Matcha is a very strong green tea powder that, if prepared correctly, has an earthy and creamy flavor. Mix it with white chocolate and you have a sweet, frothy, full-bodied drink that will elevate your hot cocoa game. Top it all off with some mini marshmallows flambeed with a kitchen torch and you will have a hot chocolate like you've never seen before.
Add a shot of white rum to the drink to turn it into a warm cocktail. Also, make sure to not burn your matcha with water that is too hot, or add more matcha than you need — otherwise you will be left with a grassy, bitter taste that no amount of hot chocolate (or rum) can fix.
Chocolate mint tea latte
Mint and chocolate are, arguably, one of the greatest pairings in culinary history. Or at least we think it is.
This chocolate peppermint tea latte is the perfect balance of aromatic tea and creamy chocolate, thanks to the use of warm frothed milk, cacao nibs and a dash of brown sugar.
Steep some crushed cacao nibs and sugar with a strong black tea and a rich peppermint tea, all of which will make a strong flavor that you can adjust to your liking. Pour it into a glass and top with frothed milk, and for extra effect add a sprig of fresh mint leaves to complete the artsy drink. Add a shot of dark rum into the tea for an extra punch!
Hot toddy
Though this classic warm cocktail is made with hot water, fresh ginger, whiskey and lemon juice, you can substitute these ingredients for a strong herbal tea of your liking. Some good choices include lemon ginger tea, orange ginger tea, cinnamon apple chamomile tea and even a strong immune support tea. Essentially, feel free to use any herbal tea blends that you like that go well with lemon, ginger and honey.
Your final product will look however you want it to look. Brew a strong cup of your herbal tea, then add a shot of whiskey and a dash of maple syrup or honey. The exact measurements and ratios are up to you, but you can't go wrong with a hot cup of tea and a bit of strong whiskey to scare away the sniffles.
Bonus tip: add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar if you really want to turn this cozy cocktail into a warm home remedy.
Cold tea cocktails
Earl Grey martini
When it comes to Earl Grey tea, most people think of the classic London fog — a drink made with sugar and frothed milk. But this classic black tea has a highly complex flavor profile defined by strong bergamot citrus and smooth vanilla, all of which goes extremely well in a well-prepared martini.
Steep 1 teaspoon of loose leaf Earl Grey tea leaves in a shot of gin for 2 hours, or until the gin has taken on a rust orange color. You can also use a tea bag if you don’t have loose leaf tea.
Strain the infused gin into a cocktail shaker over ice, along with a shot of fresh lemon juice and 2 oz of simple syrup. Shake until cold, then strain into a sugar rimmed martini glass.
And there you have it! An elegant cocktail for an elegant tea.
Spiked Thai iced tea
Traditional Thai iced tea is made with a blend of black tea, condensed milk, coconut milk and a blend of whole and ground spices. The result is a sweet and creamy tea that delivers a bouquet of earthy aromatics and complex flavors, all served over ice in a tall glass.
Add a little extra spice to this sweet and creamy drink by adding a shot of Irish cream liqueur and an ounce of aged rum. These ingredients will not take away from any of the natural flavors in the spicy tea, but will rather add to the complexity of the already flavorful drink.
Summer peach tea
It's never too hot to drink tea, especially when it’s this cool, crisp, peach iced tea!
Smooth Canadian whiskey and sweet peach liqueur create a fruity and light iced tea that is perfect for those hot summer days. Use any black tea or fruity tea as a base, then garnish the refreshing drink with lemon wedges, sprigs of mint or fresh peach slices to create the perfect party cocktail.
Next time you're looking for a new way to brew your tea, look no further than this handy collection of cocktails made with different kinds of tea. You might find that these new flavors and recipes will unlock a whole new world of Mixology for you!
Enjoy!
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Features photo courtesy Pixabay/Couleur
Colleen Ford is a South African who now lives on Oahu in Hawai'i. She loves to travel, camp, spearfish and hike. She's also part of a super cool canoe club and is pretty decent at it. Colleen enjoys Star Wars and also not being cold ever.
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