Tea and Sympatico

I'm usually more of a fan of herbal rather than fruit teas but I do love these Cherry and Cinnamon teabags from Twinnings. They make a lovely refreshing hot or cold drink and lend themselves well to use in a fruity cocktail. Make a strong cup of tea ahead of time (I used two teabags in a small cup) and allow to cool. Ingredients Serves 1 A double shot of vodka A single shot of orange liqueur A single shot of cherry and cinnamon tea A squeeze of fresh lime juice Ice Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Strain into a martini glass and serve. Have you used tea in any cocktails?

The chamomile flower is well known for it's soothing relaxing qualities. It's distinctive flavours are not to everyone's taste though. In herbal tea form it is often paired with honey with the sweetness of the honey tempering the bitterness of the chamomile. As vegans avoid honey I've come up with my own version using coconut sugar instead. According to Barnivore the orange brand name liqueurs Grand Marnier and Cointreau are suitable for vegans as are some brands of triple sec. It's a cross between a cocktail and a medicinal drink as it would also make a great evening drink when you feel you've got a cold coming on as I do today. Chamomile Hot Toddy Makes 1 serving 2 teaspoons of loose chamomile flowers or one chamomile teabag Boiling water 1 shot of orange liqueur or if you don't have this try a shot of brandy and half a freshly squeezed orange 1 teaspoon of coconut sugar (I used Coconom coconut sugar with ginger) Make a mug of cham...

It's the weekend so here's this week's tea infused cocktail recipe. I used to work in the wine and spirit industry and I can remember being at a rum tasting and it being a real revelation to see cheap white rum being transformed for use in a cocktail after it was muddled with an Earl Grey tea bag, muddling being the mixologists term for giving it a good old stir. My friend Julian reminded me of this when he told me all his many uses for peppermint tea bags including iced tea, cocktails and even gravy! I've taken the idea here to make a quick and easy mint julep. So, if fresh mint leaves are not available as long as you've got some mint teabags in your store cupboard you need never go without a julep or mojito. I just love cocktail accessories. She's not very clear in the picture but on the end of the stirrer is an Hawaiian hula dancer. I have a set of these and a set of monkeys wearing fezs. Mint Tea Julep Serves 1 Ingredients 1 peppermint teabag 5...

It's almost the weekend so let's have some tea themed booze! Martinis - the most elegant cocktails of them all. The Earl Grey Martini would be perfect for an afternoon tea especially if served from a teapot! Earl Grey gets it's distinctive flavour from oil from the rind of the bergamot orange. The citrussy flavours go well with the juniper and other botanicals that flavour gin. Make the Earl Grey tea ahead of time to give it chance to cool. I used Pukka Teas Gorgeous Earl Grey tea bags to make these. Ingredients Serves 1 A double shot of gin 1 and a half shots of strong cold earl grey tea One shot of fresh lemon juice A dessertspoon of icing sugar (powdered sugar) Place everything in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. No vintage crockery today but in the background is our 1960's Swedish teak ice bucket. I bought this a few years ago as a Christmas present for Matt from an antique shop in Todmorden (just next to th...