For a special way to ring in the New Year, we compiled some tea infusions! Cheers from LMTC!

Tea infusions make a great way to spin your favorite drink, alcoholic or not. Tea works well as an infusing agent, since it steeps quickly with strong, robust flavors. You can steep tea, adding it to a cocktail or mocktail; or directly infuse your spirit of choice with tea.

Whether you want to create a crafty cocktail, or add some zest to a non-alcoholic drink, we chose some of our favorite teas to share with you! Try Blood Orange Rooibos, Moroccan Mint, Lemon Lavender Love, Earl Grey Blue, or Mimosa Oolong.

Start with a spirit of choice. Gin and vodkas pair with lighter, more delicate teas, while bourbons balance well with most black teas.

• 750 ml bottle of alcohol
• 2 tablespoons of loose leaf tea

Pour the alcohol over the tea leaves, either in a large ball jar with lid, or the spirit bottle. Steep for 2 hours. Turn upside down every once in a while to ensure the tea steeps well. Taste your infusion at the 2 hour mark. At this point, you can decide to strain out the tea leaves, or continue for a stronger flavor. However, too long a steep can lead to bitterness. If you like this easy and fun way of transforming your tea, then limitless options await! Try these recipes to get you going: 

Moroccan Mint Champagne Sparkler

• ¾ oz. Moroccan Mint infused gin
• ¾ oz. simple syrup
• Champagne 
• Mint leaves for garnish

Add all ingredients together in a champagne flute. Garnish with mint leaves. 

Oolong Mimosa (non-alcoholic)

• 4 oz. Mimosa Oolong tea, cooled
• 4 oz. Orange Juice

Steep 5g Mimosa Oolong in 8oz. of 180 degree water for 3 minutes. Once done, immediately cool in the refrigerator. When the tea cools, combine ingredients in a champagne flute. 

Lemon Lavender Fizz Twist

• 2 oz. Lemon, Lavender, Love Vodka
• ¾ oz. Lemon Juice
• ½ oz. simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• Soda water
• Lemon twist for garnish

Add all ingredients (except soda water) into a shaker and mix well. Add ice and shake again. Pour through a strainer into your cocktail glass and top with soda water. Add your lemon twist or garnish of choice. 

Blood Orange Orchard Martini

• 2 oz. Blood Orange Vodka
• 1 oz. Amaretto Liqueur 
• 1 oz. Grand Marnier Liqueur
• ¾ oz. Lemon Juice
• Orange or blood orange peel for garnish

Shake all ingredients over ice in a shaker and serve up! Add the garnish last. 

Earl Grey Hot Toddy

• 1 ½ oz. Earl Grey Blue infused bourbon
• 1 spoonful honey
• ½ – 1 oz. lemon Juice
• 1 cup hot water

Add infused bourbon, honey, and lemon to a warmed mug. Top with hot water and stir.

Non-alcoholic Hot Toddy

• 1 cup Nepali Grey tea (this blend uses bourbon flavor and orange peel!)
• 1 spoonful honey
• ½ – 1 oz. lemon Juice

Brew 5g of Nepali Grey tea in 8oz. for 3 minutes. Add tea, honey, and lemon to a warmed mug and stir.

Written by Boo Curry