Did you know that ice and tea can be a wonderful change up to your cocktail repertoire? Ever heard of an Earl Grey or Green tea Martini? Change it up and give Kaluha and coffee liqueurs a break and go for the leaf!

I think teas and spirits are a perfect combination – after all, plant-laced aperitifs are nothing new. Ever heard of Grappa or Vermouth? You guessed it, both made with herbs. I know – tea and spirits can seem almost counter intuitive, but whoever ever believed that tomatoes and vodka would become such a hit. OK, you got me, tomatoes are a fruit and not a plant, but you get the picture. Heck, why not live a little and try your favorite teas and spirits and see if what you can come up with.

Earl Grey Martini

• 1 teaspoon Earl Grey Tea leaves
• 2 (1.5 fluid ounce) jiggers gin
• White sugar (for rimming glass)
• 1 wedge lemon
• 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger fresh lemon juice
• Chipped Ice
• 2 fluid ounces simple syrup

Sprinkle the tea leaves over the gin in a small glass, and set aside to steep for 2 hours. Pour 1/4 to 1/2 inch of white sugar onto a small, shallow plate. Moisten the rims of 2 martini glasses with a wedge of lemon, dip the moistened glasses into the sugar; set aside. Strain the infused gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker over ice. Cover, and shake until the outside of the shaker has frosted. Strain into the rimmed glasses to serve. Enjoy!

Green Tea-ini

• 4 oz. Kettle One Citroen
• ½ oz. triple sec
• 1½ oz. chilled green tea
• Chipped Ice
• Splash of fresh lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon. Enjoy!

[Editor’s note: This article has been updated for style and content accuracy.]

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