Tea time! Just kidding, it's cocktail tea time. And tea cocktails are more than just hot toddies, but we'll be the first to say that nothing beats a hot toddy on a cold day. So let's get chill and make tea cocktails.
Bourbon Sweet Tea Cocktail
This cocktail is so very complicated. So the thing is, you need to pick up a bottle of whiskey, some pre-made sweet tea, and a lemon. And some mint, for extra credit.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces lemon tea-infused bourbon
- 5 ounces sweet tea
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Lemon slice and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, sweet tea, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and mint sprig.
Hot Toddy
The hot toddy? Oh, she's famous. How famous? Check out these recipes or rely on the classic.
Green Tea Highball
Double the green tea for double the benefits, that's absolutely what science says*. (*And by science, we mean vibes.)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces green tea-infused gin
- 2 ounces chilled green tea
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Lime wheel and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, green tea gin, green tea, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Stir to mix.
- Top off with club soda.
- Stir once to mix.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig.
Spiced Rum Chai Tea
Brew and chill some rich chai tea in the afternoon for a spiced and creamy cocktail tonight.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces black tea-infused rum
- 4 ounces chilled chai tea
- 2 ounces whole milk
- ¼ ounce cinnamon simple syrup
- Ice
- Whole star anise and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, black tea rum, chai tea, whole milk, and cinnamon simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a cocktail glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with star anise and cinnamon stick.
Mint Tea Whiskey Julep
Have you ever enjoyed a mint julep and thought, "I wish this was crisper and little mintier?" You're not alone because some of us have.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces mint tea-infused vodka OR bourbon
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Mint sprig and lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass or julep cup, add ice, mint bourbon, simple syrup, and lime juice.
- Add more ice.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.
Earl Grey Cocktails
Sink into a bath of smooth earl grey tea cocktails. One could argue that these are the superior afternoon cocktail.
Bee's Teas
One could also say that this cocktail is the bee's knees. Alright, they can say that because it's because it's a chill riff on the classic.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces lemon tea-infused gin
- ¾ ounce honey syrup
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Lemon wheel for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, lemon tea gin, honey syrup, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel, if desired.
Hard Kombucha
Did you think we'd forget the classic fermented tea that is kombucha? Please, we'd never forget a mother like that. Take a sip of these hard kombucha cocktails.
Green Tea Margarita
Give yourself a bit of an antioxidant boost from your go-to margarita. It's practically spa water.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces green tea-infused tequila
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- ¼ ounce agave syrup
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, green tea tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Honorary Mention: Green Tea Shot
There's actually no green tea in this green tea shot, but it tastes so close to the real thing it deserves a nod. You could always add a splash of chilled green tea!
Making Teatime Into Happy Hour
Teatime is cocktail time now with tea-infused cocktails. Sweet, savory, and chilled, any time is a good time for a tea drink. With a little buzz, and not just from the caffeine either.
