What's better than a spot of tea? Why, botanical, aromatic tea-infused gin, of course. Whether you want it for a martini or simply because you love the blend of tea with gin's tasty botanicals, it's easy to infuse tea with gin. We have all the info on how to do it (don't worry — it's super easy) and inspo for all the yummy cocktails you can make with your new fave gin.
How to Make Tea-Infused Gin
One of the great things about making tea-infused gin is that the combos are virtually endless. Whether you want a traditional Earl Grey-infused gin or something jazzier (jasmine tea-infused Empress rose gin, maybe?), you can play with flavor combos to your heart's content. With so many different amazing-tasting teas and all of the fab secret recipe gins with varying botanical blends, you're sure to stumble on a combo (or ten) that takes your mixology game to the next level.
Ingredients & Supplies
- 2 tablespoons loose-leaf tea or 3 tea bags of preferred tea flavor
- 750mL gin
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean bottle or jar, add the loose-leaf tea or tea bags and gin.
- Securely close the bottles or jars and gently swirl the mix.
- Store the containers in a cool, dark place for approximately 3 to 4 days, being sure to give the containers a swirl each day.
- After the appropriate days have passed, sample the infusion by pouring a sip into a glass. If you want more flavor, allow the tea infusion to steep longer.
- If there's enough flavor, carefully remove the tea bags, if used, and discard them.
- Funnel the infused gin into the second clean bottle, filtering with the cheesecloth to remove any tea.
- Carefully seal. You can enjoy the tea-infused gin right away.
You can store unused infused gin in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark place for approximately one to two years before the quality diminishes. Dispose of it when the flavor starts to fade or tastes "off."
Variations of Tea-Infused Gin
With notes of juniper already pairing with your tea, you don't need to stop there. Add floral, fruit, or even savory notes to your tea infusion.
- If you're using darker or richer teas, including Early Grey, black, or breakfast, consider adding a tablespoon or two of coarsely chopped dark chocolate or whole coffee beans.
- For fruit-forward or citrus-style tea flavors, add a half or full cup of fresh berries cut in half, such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or hulled and sliced strawberries.
- Add ¼ to ½ cup of maple syrup or honey for a sweeter tea infusion.
- Play off the botanical gin notes and include three to four sprigs of fresh lavender, or, if you're using dried lavender buds, add a tablespoon. A tablespoon of dried elderflower also adds a soft floral touch.
- Toss in citrus notes for added complexity by using two to three whole, sliced lemons, limes, or tangerines. Likewise, you can use a whole, sliced orange.
Tea-Infused Gin Cocktails
There are plenty of modern and traditional cocktails that'll benefit from the botanical flavors of tea gin.
White Tea French 75
The rich notes of white tea are an excellent match to the bright flavors of the bubbles in this riff on the French 75.
Ingredients
- 1¼ ounce white tea-infused gin
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Prosecco to top off
- Lemon ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a Champagne flute.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, white tea gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Top off with prosecco.
- Garnish with a lemon ribbon.
Earl Grey Martini
If Earl Grey isn't your favorite of the tea flavors, you can make this tea gin martini with any flavor.
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces Earl Grey-infused gin
- ¾ ounce dry vermouth
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, Earl Grey gin, dry vermouth, and lemon juice.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lemon peel.
Raspberry Tea Smash
Don't underestimate just how much flavor a fruit tea can pack into a single sip, but go ahead and emphasize those notes with freshly muddled fruit.
Ingredients
- 4-6 fresh raspberries
- 2-3 lime wedges
- 2 ounces fruit tea-infused gin
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Raspberry, lime slice, and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle raspberries and lime wedges with simple syrup.
- Add ice, tea gin, orange liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a raspberry, a lime slice, and a mint sprig.
Green Tea Gimlet
Sometimes, the gimlet is missing just a touch of balance to all that sour. Thankfully, the green tea flavors counter with earthy notes.
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces green tea-infused gin
- ¾ freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tea gin, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Mixers for Tea Gin Drinks
If you're someone who doesn't add anything to their tea, you may want just a mixer or two so you don't lose any of that flavor. Consider one of these.
- Coconut water
- Tonic water
- Plain club soda
- Flavored club soda, such as vanilla, coconut, lime, lemon, orange, or berry
- Honey
- Lemon juice
- Cherry juice
- Simple syrup
- Orange liqueur
A Toast to Tea-Infused Gin
Nurture your love of tea with tea-infused gin. Whether you add a splash to your tonic water in place of your evening cup of tea or enjoy the gin with a bit of honey and warm water as a brunch drink, gin tea is the unsung hero of infused spirits.
