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Step aside crumpets and finger sandwiches, teatime is also the perfect time to enjoy a myriad of delicious and easy to make tea cocktails!
A favorite around the world, tea is an ageless beverage that is also a finding its way into the hearts of cocktail enthusiasts. Highly sought after as an exotic herb during the 16th and 17th centuries, and even bartered as currency at points in history, today, tea and its applications in cocktails are increasing in popularity for not only your everyday backyard parties and BBQ’s, but for your local bars.
This increase in “tea-ism” isn’t such a surprise when we look back at the history of tea and mixed drinks. Tea and cocktails go way back to where tea was considered to be an early addition in original punch recipes, and a recipe for tea punch even appears in Jerry Thomas’ famous Bartenders Guide 1862: How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon Vivant's Companion.
Modernly, while many people are familiar with the non-alcoholic “Arnold Palmer” (iced tea and lemonade) or the more adult “Ice Pick” (vodka and iced tea), tea has been proven to be an incredible mixer for all spirit categories. All one needs to do is look at the tea aisle in the grocery store to see all of the incredible flavor offerings available today. When this booming availability is combined with the public’s growing interest in healthy and low ABV (alcohol by volume) beverages, tea has started to make its mark on the modern bar scene. Tea meets every modern bar’s wants and needs because it hits these 7 major pieces of criteria: 1) it’s cost effective, 2) easy to make, 3) consistent, 4) easy to mix, 5) packed with flavor, 6) has a high consumer approachability, and most importantly, 7) it is readily available.
With tea as a mixer, everyone wins. Tea has the versatility of being mixed and enjoyed year-round. Whether you are trying to cozy up in the winter with a “Hot Tea Toddy”, or cool-down in the summer with a nice refreshing “Tea Cooler”, tea is your go-to ingredient rain or shine, winter wonderland or day at the beach.
Here are some quick and easy tea cocktails for any occasion:
