4 Recipes for Cocktails with Tea

Cocktails are great—but cocktails with tea? Even better. Too often, I find that tea-based drinks at trendy bars mask the delicate flavors that make specialty teas truly shine. So, Raj and I took matters into our own hands, experimenting in our kitchen to create cocktails and mocktails where tea is the star. Here are some of our favorites—and the very first one is non-alcoholic, which of course can be made as a regular cocktail as well. Cheers!

Black Rose Zero-Proof Tea Cocktail Recipe

A gently sophisticated mocktail that puts the tea front and center. Young Mountain Tea’s Organic Nepali Golden Black leaves are slow- steeped directly in Ritual Zero-Proof Whiskey for 24–48 hours, creating a full-bodied, velvety brew elevated with a non-alcoholic Lemon Balm and Rose Tincture (Love & Happiness) from Botanica Quetzalli.

In many tea cocktails, the tea gets overshadowed. Here, the tea and zero-proof base harmonize, delivering a well-rounded, rich flavor that highlights both elements. Sweet vanilla notes emerge, mesquite caramel shines through, and hints of rosy lemon tie it all together. A subtle glimmer of heat adds a satisfying finish. 

Feel free to make this drink your own by swapping in ingredients you have on hand or those sourced locally. Any high-quality black tea can work in place of Nepali Golden Black, and different zero-proof bases—like non-alcoholic bourbon or rum alternatives—can bring out new dimensions of flavor. The real trick is the cold steep, allowing the tea to infuse slowly and deeply into the base. Play around with tinctures, garnishes, and citrus notes to create a version that’s uniquely yours!

Makes four 5-oz. cocktails

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup Nepali Golden Black tea leaves
• 1.5 cups Ritual Zero-Proof Whiskey
• ½ tsp turbinado sugar 
• 4 full droppers of Botanica Quetzalli Lemon Balm and Rose Tincture (Love & Happiness)
• 1 can or small bottle of unflavored sparkling water 
• 4 thin orange slices
• 4 basil leaves or rosemary sprigs

Directions:

1. Steep the Tea: Plan ahead for best results. Combine the tea leaves with the zero-proof whiskey in a container and refrigerate for 24–48 hours.
2. Strain the Mixture: When ready to mix, strain the tea-infused whiskey into a separate container. Press or squeeze the tea leaves to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard or compost the tea leaves.
3. Shake: Add a few ice cubes to a cocktail shaker. Pour in the steeped liquid and sugar, then shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.
4. Assemble the Cocktails: Divide the mixture evenly among four glasses. Add one full dropper of tincture to each glass and give it a quick stir.
5. Finish with Sparkle and Garnish: Top each glass with a splash of sparkling water, 1-2 oz based on preference. Garnish with a slice of orange and a sprig of basil for a fresh note, or rosemary for a savory one. (Or experiment with other herbs you have handy!). The orange and lemon balm play quite well with each other. 
6. Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy your Zero-Proof Black Rose Tea Cocktail!

Strawberry Basil Green Tea Cocktail Recipe

If you’re looking for drinks with green tea, this attractive beverage is one of our favorite tea-based cocktails because it’s pleasantly simple to make, and it accentuates the tea’s taste. This concoction carefully balances fruity, fresh, and leafy flavors. It's an intriguing libation that we've shared with many friends while hosting summer gatherings on our porch.

Makes one 5-oz. cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. Green Pearl simple syrup (see Basic Tea Simple Syrup Recipe and make with Organic Nepali Green Pearl)
• 3 organic strawberries, hulled and quartered
• 3 organic basil leaves, divided
• 2 oz./60 ml. vodka
• 1 lime

Directions:

1. Prepare the Green Pearl Simple Syrup: Make the simple syrup using Green Pearl tea. Let it cool completely before using.
2. Muddle the Ingredients: Add fresh strawberries and basil leaves to a cocktail shaker. Use a muddler or the back of a heavy spoon to crush the ingredients thoroughly, releasing their flavors.
3. Add Ice and Liquids: Fill the shaker halfway with crushed ice. Pour in the vodka, Green Pearl simple syrup, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
4. Shake and Strain: Shake the mixture well until chilled, then strain it into a chilled cocktail glass.
5. Garnish: Garnish with a wedge of lime for a refreshing touch.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful cocktail!

Pro tip: You can make this a mocktail (a non-alcoholic version) by swapping out the vodka for the same amount of brewed green tea in step 4. I like to make this mocktail with Organic Nepali Green Pearl to complement the simple syrup flavor.

Darjeeling Peach Smash Cocktail 

I recently had something called a green tea shot, thinking it actually had green tea in it, but quickly realized that in fact it contains no green tea whatsoever! It is so named because of its bright green color, and consists of whiskey, peach schnapps, sour mix and lemon-lime soda. The following recipe started with the idea of creating a cocktail version of this shot by adding green tea and fresh peaches to the original recipe. But as I tested a few variations, I quickly realized that our Darjeeling Autumnal Black Tea actually shone a lot better in this bright, refreshing and mildly fruity cocktail. And if we (and our focus-group friends!) may say so ourselves, the result is quite yummy!

Try our recipe below for yourselves, and of course feel free to add your own twist, use a different tea, or even turn into a mocktail by replacing the whiskey/bourbon with a zero-proof version or a few splashes of lemon-lime soda water. And as always, we'd love for you to share your thoughts and comments. 

Makes four 5-oz. cocktails

Ingredients:

• 1 Darjeeling tea bag
• 4 oz. hot water (210° F)
• 1/2 cup peach slices (fresh, or if out of season thawed frozen ones work just fine)
• 6 oz. sour mix (we made it fresh, recipe at the end)
• 6 oz. whiskey or bourbon (we used Bulleit Bourbon in ours)
• A few ice cubes
• 4 lemon slices and sprigs of thyme to garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Brew the Tea: Steep a Darjeeling tea bag in hot water for 4–5 minutes to create a strong brew. Let it cool slightly before using.
2. Prepare the Peach Smash: Depending on the ripeness of your peaches, either mash them thoroughly with a muddler or blend them with an immersion blender until smooth.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, add the brewed tea, peach smash, sour mix, and whiskey. Toss in a few ice cubes to chill the mixture.
4. Shake: Shake the ingredients vigorously for 10–15 seconds to combine the flavors.
5. Strain and Serve: Using a bar strainer, pour the mixture into four cocktail glasses of your choice. This will keep the ice and larger peach pieces out of the drink.
6. Garnish: Add a round slice of lemon and a sprig of thyme to each glass for a refreshing touch. (Pro tip: Dipping the thyme in the cocktail as you drink it is a wonderful way to enhance the experience).
7. Cheers: Serve immediately and enjoy your Darjeeling Peach Smash!

Homemade Sour Mix Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (4 big or 5-6 medium lemons)
• ½ cup fresh lime juice (5-6 limes)

Directions:

Heat up the sugar and cold water in a saucepan over medium heat till the sugar dissolves, add the lemon juice at the end and let it simmer for a few minutes then remove from the heat and let cool. Strain into a clean jar. Keeps refrigerated for a month.

Indi Palmer Cocktail Recipe

Think of an Arnold Palmer with a boozy twist—a cocktail Raj dubbed the “Indi Palmer.” This refreshing combo of lemonade, black tea, and vodka honors Indi Khanna, our dear friend and tea making partner at Tea Studio in south India. It’s his team’s tea, Nilgiri Gold (formerly known as “Indi’s Gold”), that we use to make this Arnold Palmer cocktail truly special.

Makes two 7-oz. cocktails

Ingredients:

• 1.5 heaping Tbsp. / 13 g. Nilgiri Gold
• 8 oz. hot water (210° F)
• 1/2 cup organic lemonade
• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 lemon

Directions:

1. Make the Tea Concentrate: Steep the tea leaves in hot water for 4 minutes. Strain the tea into a pitcher or jar. Quick Chill: Place the pitcher in the freezer to cool rapidly. Or Make Ahead: Alternatively, prepare the tea a few hours in advance and refrigerate until chilled.
2. Combine Tea and Lemonade: Once the tea is cool, add lemonade to the pitcher and stir well to combine.
3. Prepare the Glasses: Fill each glass with ice. (We used 10 oz. tumblers, but highball glasses or mason jars work too—adjust the ice amount to your preference.)
4. Add Vodka: Pour 1 oz. vodka into each glass over the ice.
5. Divide and Stir: Pour equal parts of the tea-lemonade mixture into each glass. Stir gently to combine.
6. Garnish and Serve: Add a slice of lemon to each glass as a garnish. Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing Lemonade Tea Cooler!

Pro tip: You can make this a mocktail (a non-alcoholic version) by swapping out the vodka for the same amount of brewed black tea in step 3. 

Want To Try Other Recipes For Cocktails With Tea?

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Blog Author:

Mitra Nite, Graphic Designer

Growing up in Persia, tea runs in Mitra's blood. But it was while living and working in the Pacific Northwest that she truly found herself immersed in the beverage and all its delicious forms, and she continues to be delighted by the international and cultural nuances that it represents. Mitra has been active as an artist and designer for most of her adult life, and is very happy to bring her passion for tea and design to Young Mountain Tea.