With summer right around the corner, the days of sipping sweet cocktails in the sun are soon upon us. Now I love a delightful libation {or two} myself, but I am not a fan of the added sugar and empty calories that comes with imbibing.
Enter Tea-Infused Vodka.
So delightful and flavorful, you can, without question, slash that simple syrup, sip, and say, “ahhhhhhh.”
Tea-Infused Vodka
Here’s what you need to get started:
+ High quality Vodka {Costco-sized Skyy is what I used}, approx. 300 ml per Mason Jar.
+ 6 mason jars {buy here}
+ Loose leaf or bagged tea + add-ins.
+ 3 days of brewing time.
+ Fine mesh strainer.
Green Tea // Cucumber + Orange + Mint
+ 1 Tbs loose leaf green tea
+ 1/3 cucumber, sliced
+ 1/2 orange peel
+ handful of mint leaves
Cocktail Suggestion: Cucumber Orange Spritzer – Serve 1 1/2 oz tea-infused vodka over ice + 1 cup seltzer and a squeeze of lime, float a thin cucumber slice on top and garnish with an orange twist.
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Chai Tea // Orange + Cinnamon + Vanilla Bean
+1 Tbs loose leaf Chai Tea
+ 1/2 orange peel
+ 2 cinnamon sticks
+ 1 vanilla bean pod
Cocktail Suggestion: Hot Chai Tea Toddy – Serve 1 1/2 oz tea-infused vodka + 1 cup hot water with a squeeze of orange.
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Black Tea // Habenero + Garlic
+ 1 Tbs loose leaf black tea
+ 3 small habenero peppers
+ 5 garlic cloves
Brew Time: 2-3 days, depending on how spicy you like it.
Cocktail Suggestion: The Perfect Bloody Mary – Serve 1 1/2 oz tea-infused vodka over ice + 3/4 cup V8, a dash of worcestershire, dash of hot sauce, squeeze of lemon, and salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with a celery stalk and stuffed olives.
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White Tea // Strawberry + Rhubarb + Vanilla + Mint
+ 1 1/2 Tbs White Tea
+ 4 whole strawberries
+ 1/4 rhubarb stalk
+ 1 vanilla bean pod
+ handful of mint leaves
Cocktail Suggestion: The Strawberry Shortcake – Serve 1 1/2 tea-infused vodka over ice + 1 cup vanilla seltzer. Garnish with a sliced strawberry and mint.
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Lavender Tea // Lemon + Mint
+ 1 Tbs lavender tea
+ 1 Tbs loose garden lavender
+ 1 lemon rind
+ handful of mint leaves
Cocktail Suggestion: Lemon Lavender Spritzer – Serve 1 1/2 oz tea-infused vodka over ice + 1 cup seltzer water and a squeeze of lemon. Garnish with a lemon twist and mint.
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Peach and Ginger Tea // Peach Slices + Mint
+ 1 peach oolong tea bag
+ 1 ginger tea bag
+ 1/2 peach, sliced
+ handful of mint leaves
Cocktail Suggestion: White Peach Sangria – In a large pitcher, add 1 cup tea-infused vodka + one bottle sweet white wine {Moscato or Reisling works great}, 1 sliced peach, 1 sliced apple, and 1/2 cup grapes, halved. Let chill for at least 2 hours before adding 2 cups chilled seltzer water and serve.
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Did you know that vodka is just as good as a stress reliever as red wine? Science proved it.
And did you know tea contains boat-loads of antioxidants? If you hadn’t heard, antioxidants are those awesome compounds that fight against free-radicals that contribute to aging, cancer, and other chronic disease.
I’m not saying that drinking tea-infused vodka will help cure cancer, unclog your arteries, or make you look 10 years younger… but it will certainly taste refreshingly delicious, save you calories, and at the least, make for a fun summer afternoon!
Stephanie Wilson, RDN 