Paul Kushner
Let me guide you through a refreshing update in the drink menu: tea cocktails. They merge the calming scents of tea with the spirited kick of alcohol, offering a fresh twist on your usual choices. You’ll find a variety of flavors here, from the sweet and floral to the rich and earthy. These drinks are perfect for anyone looking to mix up their routine with something new yet familiar. The balance between tea’s subtlety and the boldness of spirits makes each drink a unique discovery. Don’t miss out on exploring this selection.
Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned
Bourbon, chai syrup, fresh lemon juice, and Angostura bitters give the Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned a warm, spiced flavor with a bright citrus edge. The homemade chai syrup brings cinnamon, tea, and vanilla into the drink, while bourbon gives it enough structure to keep the sweetness balanced. This cocktail stands out because the chai syrup does most of the flavor work before the drink even reaches the glass. I like the contrast between the rich bourbon and the sharper lemon, especially once the vanilla and chai spices start to come through.
Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned
Ingredients
Method
- Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small pot.
- Remove from heat, add chai tea bags, cover, and steep for 10–15 minutes.
- Discard the tea bags, then stir in the sugar while the tea is still warm.
- Bring the mixture back to a gentle simmer for about 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Stir in vanilla extract and let it cool completely. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- In a mixing glass, add bourbon, lemon juice, bitters, and chai syrup.
- Fill with ice and stir until well chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass with a large ice cube.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise and orange slice.
Love Island Iced Tea
Inspired by the drama, heat, and flirtation of Love Island, the Love Island Iced Tea is a tropical party in a glass. Packed with vibrant flavors and a splash of island color, it’s the perfect cocktail to sip while watching the season finale unfold. It blends fruity sweetness with just enough booze to keep things interesting.
Love Island Iced Tea
Ingredients
Method
- In a shaker, combine tequila, black cherry rum, peach schnapps, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, sour mix, and the juice from two lemon wedges.
- Add ice and shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a tiki glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a pineapple leaf, a chunk of pineapple, and a cherry.
- Sprinkle toasted coconut on top before serving.
Strawberry Long Island Iced Tea
The Strawberry Long Island Iced Tea is a fruity take on the original party classic. It blends vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and triple sec with strawberry syrup or purée, then tops it off with lemon juice and a splash of soda. The strawberry adds a sweet, juicy layer that cuts through the bold mix of spirits, making it smoother and a little more playful. It’s still strong, but easier to sip with that hit of berry flavor. This drink is great for warm nights, weekend hangouts, or whenever you want something with a kick that doesn’t taste too heavy.
Strawberry Long Island Iced Tea
Ingredients
Method
- Mix the Cocktail: In a shaker, combine vodka, tequila, rum, gin, triple sec, sweet & sour mix, and strawberry purée.
- Shake: Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain and Serve: Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish (Optional): Add a fresh strawberry or lemon wedge for a decorative and flavorful touch.
Hibiscus Salty Dog
The Hibiscus Salty Dog is a floral, citrus-forward twist on a classic vodka and grapefruit cocktail. Bright ruby red grapefruit juice meets the tart, slightly earthy character of chilled hibiscus tea (agua de Jamaica), with a salted rim adding just the right contrast. It’s light enough for daytime sipping but bold enough to stand out at any gathering. This drink is especially refreshing on warm days and looks as vibrant as it tastes perfect for brunch, poolside lounging, or sunset hours.
Hibiscus Salty Dog
Ingredients
Method
- Rub the lime wedge around the rim of your glass.
- Dip the rim into a shallow plate of salt to coat.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Pour in the vodka and grapefruit juice.
- Top with chilled agua de Jamaica.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with hibiscus petals.
Earl Grey–Bourbon Punch
The Earl Grey–Bourbon Punch is a sophisticated, aromatic cocktail that brings together the bold flavors of bourbon and Cognac with the floral notes of Earl Grey tea and fresh herbs. The tea adds gentle floral and citrus notes, while bourbon and Cognac give the drink a rich base.
Earl Grey–Bourbon Punch
Ingredients
Method
- In a heatproof bowl, combine the loose Earl Grey tea (or tea bags) with 10 ounces of boiling water. Let steep for 5 minutes, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring glass. Allow the tea to cool.
- In a small saucepan, bring the honey, thyme, rosemary sprigs, and 4 ounces water to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring to combine. Once the honey is dissolved, let the mixture cool and remove the herbs.
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl, mix the cooled tea, honey syrup, lemon juice, bourbon, Cognac, and bitters. Add 2 cups of ice, stirring until the ice melts and the punch is well-chilled.
- Pour the punch into tumblers filled with ice. Garnish each glass with a rosemary sprig and a lemon wheel for a festive presentation.
Bourbon Sweet Tea
This Bourbon Sweet Tea takes that familiar Southern favorite and turns it into a refreshing cocktail with smooth bourbon, honey syrup, fresh mint, and a splash of Arnold Palmer tea. It is light enough for summer but flavorful enough to enjoy throughout the year. The combination of iced tea and lemonade gives the drink bright citrus notes without overpowering the whiskey.
Bourbon Sweet Tea
Ingredients
Method
- Add mint leaves and honey syrup to a shaker and gently muddle.
- Pour in bourbon, Arnold Palmer tea, and citrus bitters.
- Fill with ice and shake lightly.
- Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and a sprig of mint.
Earl Grey Blackberry Bourbon Cocktail
The Earl Grey Blackberry Bourbon cocktail is a creative mix of bold tea, rich whiskey, and dark fruit. Bourbon brings warmth and depth, while chilled Earl Grey tea adds a subtle bergamot note that pairs beautifully with the sweet, tart blackberry. Simple syrup smooths the drink, and the optional addition of spiced pear liqueur lends a gentle layer of spice and fruit complexity. Garnished with fresh blackberry and rosemary, this cocktail is aromatic, flavorful, and perfect for sipping when you want something both unique and comforting.
Earl Grey Blackberry Bourbon Cocktail
Ingredients
Method
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the blackberry with the simple syrup until well mashed.
- Add the bourbon, chilled Earl Grey tea, spiced pear liqueur (if using), and ice to the shaker.
- Stir the mixture until very cold.
- Strain the cocktail through a fine mesh strainer into a coupe glass to remove any pulp and seeds.
- Garnish with a blackberry and a sprig of rosemary. For a fancy touch, poke the rosemary sprig into the blackberry and lay it across the top of the glass.
- Enjoy your Earl Grey Blackberry Bourbon Cocktail!
White Tea Shot
Make your own White Tea Shot with vodka, peach schnapps, sour mix, and soda for a delightful and revitalizing drink. Ideal for every event. Discover your next favorite by giving it a go.
White Tea Shot
Ingredients
Method
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the vodka, peach schnapps, sweet and sour mix, and lemon juice.
- Shake the cocktail shaker vigorously for about 10 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a shot glass.
- Serve and enjoy!
Matcha Green Tea Cocktail
The Matcha Green Tea Cocktail is smooth, earthy, and just a little unexpected. It brings the mellow taste of matcha together with the sharp edge of spirits for a drink that’s calm but with a kick. The natural bitterness of the green tea balances nicely with a touch of sweetness, making it easy to sip without being too heavy. It’s great for a relaxed afternoon, a quiet evening, or whenever you’re in the mood for something a little different. This cocktail feels clean and simple, with just the right mix of familiar and fresh.
Matcha Green Tea Cocktail
Ingredients
Method
- In a small bowl, whisk the matcha powder with hot water until smooth and frothy.
- Add the prepared matcha, vodka, honey syrup, lemon juice, and egg white to a shaker.
- Shake vigorously without ice for about 10 seconds to create foam.
- Add ice and shake again for 15 seconds until well chilled.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
- Add a mint sprig for a fragrant finishing touch.
Bourbon Chai Tea
Bourbon, black tea, vanilla almond milk, honey, and whole spices make Bourbon Chai Tea a warm holiday drink with a creamy texture and plenty of spice. Cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and star anise give the tea a full chai flavor, while the bourbon adds warmth and depth. This Bourbon Chai Tea drink works well for cold nights, holiday dinners, brunch, or any gathering where you want something warm instead of a chilled cocktail. The vanilla almond milk softens the tea, and the honey adds just enough sweetness to round out the spices.
Bourbon Chai Tea
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium saucepan, combine the hot water, tea bags, crushed spices, cinnamon sticks, ground nutmeg, ginger, and vanilla extract.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and let it infuse.
- Stir in the vanilla almond milk and honey, whisking to ensure everything is well combined.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the chai tea steep for about 10 minutes.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the tea bags and spices, leaving only the spiced liquid.
- Transfer the strained chai tea to a heatproof serving pitcher and stir in the bourbon.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Vanilla Earl Grey Blackberry Mocktail
Tea-based mocktails can bring just as much character to the glass as many traditional cocktails, and this Vanilla Earl Grey Blackberry Mocktail proves it. Earl Grey tea brings citrusy bergamot notes, blackberry shrub adds tart berry flavor, vanilla bean sugar softens the sharper edges, and fresh orange ties everything together. Club soda finishes the drink with a crisp, fizzy lift.
Vanilla Earl Grey Blackberry Mocktail
Ingredients
Method
- Place the Earl Grey tea leaves in a cup or teapot and pour 2 ounces of hot water over them. Let the tea steep for a few minutes, then set it aside to cool slightly.
- Fill a rocks glass or similar-sized glass with ice.
- In a cocktail shaker, add the large orange slice and vanilla bean sugar. Muddle together until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the orange slice is flattened, releasing its juices.
- Pour the brewed Earl Grey tea and the blackberry shrub into the shaker. Top with ice.
- Shake the mixture well until the shaker is very cold and begins to sweat.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared glass filled with ice.
- Top the mocktail with club soda for a refreshing fizz.
- Garnish with an orange wedge or slice and edible flowers if desired.
- Sip and enjoy the complex flavors of this elegant mocktail!
Maple Citrus Hot Toddy
Many winter cocktails bring comfort, but the Maple Citrus Hot Toddy has a special way of warming you from the inside out. I first made it on a snowy evening when I wanted something soothing after a long day, and this simple mix of tea, maple syrup, spices, and bourbon felt like the perfect companion. The aroma alone made the whole kitchen smell like a blend of winter spice and fresh citrus.
Maple Citrus Hot Toddy
Ingredients
Method
- Add the maple syrup, bourbon or rum, lemon and orange juice, cinnamon stick, star anise, and cloves to a mug or heat safe glass
- Add the desired tea bag and fill to the top with hot water. Let this steep for a couple of minutes
- Take out the tea bag and stir ingredients thoroughly
- Garnish with the lemon wheel with cloves. Cheers and enjoy your Maple Citrus Hot toddy!
Raspberry Jasmine Green Tea Paloma
The Raspberry Jasmine Green Tea Paloma is a refreshing and delicious drink that combines the tastes of tequila, grapefruit, jasmine green tea, and raspberries. This drink has become popular among people who like tea cocktails and those who want a unique and tasty twist on the classic Paloma. The mixture of jasmine green tea and raspberries gives the traditional Paloma a delightful and foreign twist. Its refreshing taste and complex flavor combination make it one of the greatest tea cocktails for a pleasant drinking experience.
