This Earl Grey Cocktail combines brewed tea, gin, fresh lemon juice, honey, and bitters into a bright, floral, and effortlessly elegant drink perfect for winter and spring.
Earl Grey is one of my favorite kinds of tea. I love how the citrus and floral notes of bergamot are balanced by the rich, deep flavors of the black tea leaves. It's great warm with honey, but also great with steamed milk and vanilla to make a London Fog.
In this cocktail, the Earl Grey tea is brightened by lemon, sweetened with honey, and complemented with botanical notes from gin.
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😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Great any time of year. You'll find it refreshing in winter, spring, or summer.
- Pleasant balance of tea, gin, and lemon. It starts off with a bright hit of lemon and gin that mellows into the light floral notes of bergamot from the Earl Grey tea.
- Simple and straightforward. A quality gin is the only spirit you need.
If you're into gin, you'll also want to check out my recipes for this Ginger Rhubarb Gin Cocktail, a Cucumber Gin Cocktail, or an Elderflower Gin and Tonic. But if it's tea you like, don't miss my Lilac Tea and my Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
🍋 Ingredients
Here's everything you need to make this Earl Grey cocktail.
- Earl Grey tea: You can use either a tablespoon of loose-leaf tea or three tea bags to make a strong-flavored tea concentrate. Choose an Earl Grey variety that you already enjoy. If you prefer to avoid caffeine, opt for a decaf blend. I used tea from my local tea shop, Loose Loona.
- Gin: A London dry gin works well here, and I especially like this one from St. Johnsbury Distillery here in Vermont. It's balanced, has pleasant juniper notes, but it isn't overwhelming in a cocktail like this one.
- Lemon juice: A splash of fresh lemon juice brightens up the whole drink. Use part of the lemon for the juice and part to make a simple garnish. Learn more about how to make the lemon peel garnish.
- Honey: A touch of honey offers a just hint of sweetness. Honey is a perfect complement to the tea and citrus flavors of this drink.
- Bitters: A bit of bitters for a little extra depth. I used the orange maple bitters from Runamok, another local Vermont company.
Check out the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
🍵 Variations
- Make it a hot toddy: Brew a mug's worth of Earl Grey tea, skip the ice, and stir the other ingredients into the hot tea instead of shaking. Serve with a slice of lemon.
- Try it with green tea: Use green tea leaves or bags in place of the Earl Grey.
- Use orange instead of lemon: Substitute orange juice and peel for lemon.
- Creamy version: Use an egg white or 1 ounce of aquaba. Add either to the shaker with the other ingredients, then dry-shake (without ice) to increase foam, then add ice and shake again.
🔪 Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the tea. Strain and add four ounces of tea into a cocktail shaker. Let cool briefly.
- Step 2: Add 2 teaspoons of honey to the lukewarm tea.
- Step 3: Stir well to fully combine.
- Step 4: Add 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice.
- Step 5: Add 4 ounces of gin.
- Step 6: Add a few dashes of bitters.
- Step 7: Fill the shaker halfway with ice.
- Step 8: Shake well for 15 seconds.
- Step 9: Strain cocktail into two glasses.
- Step 10: Garnish with lemon peel.
✨ Top Tip
Stir the honey into the tea before adding ice to your cocktail shaker. Otherwise, the honey will freeze to the ice and not combine well into the drink.
🍳 Equipment
Cocktail shaker: A proper cocktail shaker helps to chill and mix your beverage. However, if you don't have one handy (we've all been there), try a large mason jar with a secure lid.
🙋🏻♂️ FAQ
Gin is one spirit that pairs well with Earl Grey because its botanical and citrus notes complement the bergamot flavor of the tea. Vodka is also a good choice because it allows the flavor of the tea to shine without competing. I'd avoid any alcohol with a strong flavor that will overpower the tea.
Yes. Earl Grey tea is a black tea that typically contains caffeine. If you do not want a cocktail with caffeine, looks for a decaf variety.
Make it a mocktail by omitting the gin, using a bit more tea, and possibly adding a splash of tonic to finish it off.
🍰 Pairing
This drink is versatile and can pair well with sweet treats, salads, and appetizers.
📖 Recipe
Gin and Earl Grey Cocktail
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 cocktails 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Earl Grey cocktail combines brewed tea, gin, fresh lemon juice, honey, and bitters into a bright, floral, and effortlessly elegant drink perfect for winter and spring.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Earl Grey tea leaves (or 3 tea bags)
- 4 ounces hot water
- 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 4 ounces gin
- a few dashes of bitters
- ice
Instructions
- Brew the tea. Make a tea concentrate by brewing 1 tablespoon of Earl Grey tea with 4 ounces of hot water just off a boil. Let steep for 7-8 minutes. Then strain or remove the tea bags. Let the tea cool for until slightly warm, but not hot, while you make the lemon garnish.
- Prep the lemon and garnish. Slice the lemon in half width-wise. Juice one of the halves to get 1 ounce of juice. To make the garnish (or skip if you prefer), slice the other half into rounds. Use a paring knife to cut out the flesh from a lemon slice, leaving just a round piece of peel. Cut the peel, then wrap it around a straw or chopstick. Press firmly to help hold the shape. Repeat with a second slice of lemon.
- Make the drink. Add the warm tea to a cocktail shaker. Then add the honey and stir well to combine. Pour in the lemon juice, gin, and a few dashes of bitters. Fill the shaker halfway with ice. Add the top to the shaker and shake well for about 15 seconds.
- Strain and serve. Strain the cocktail into two chilled glasses. Add the lemon peel garnishes. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Stir the honey into the tea before adding ice to your cocktail shaker. Otherwise, the honey will freeze to the ice and not combine well into the drink.
This recipe makes two drinks. Only need one? Simply cut the ingredients in half.
If you need more guidance on making the curled lemon peel garnish, check out this guide.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Shaking
- Cuisine: American
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