Earl Grey Martini

This cocktail recipe brings two worlds together, blending the invigorating flavour of Earl Grey tea with the iconic martini. An energy booster that’s incredibly easy to make and a healthy alternative to the traditional cocktail. 

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The history behind the Martini

Classic, alluring and elegant. The Martini has existed in a myriad of variations since its origins in the US ‘Gilded Age’ (1870–1900), when the old and newly rich vied for status within the American upper class. By the Roaring Twenties, the Martini was everywhere and had become a staple drink, but its popularity waned a few decades later. This was partly due to the improving quality and availability of other drinks such as wine and beer, but also because of concerns about alcohol consumption and health. Today, the Martini is best known for its status in popular culture – and reports of increased demand show that the Martini has certainly made a comeback. 

Tea as a twist in cocktails

This variation on the Martini combines Earl Grey tea – a fantastic ingredient for cocktails thanks to its complex flavour – with gin, which allows the floral notes in the Earl Grey tea to unfold beautifully. 

This recipe is brilliant to serve as an aperitif before dinner or for a festive occasion, and is easy to make as you can prepare the drink in advance. 

Recipe and method 

- Brew a good, strong pot of Earl Grey tea and chill in the fridge. Karmameju loves Cocoon Tea Artisans’ award-winning, high-quality tea – rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

- Gin – use a good-quality gin, preferably a botanical one.

- Pour 1/4 cup of tea and 3/4 cup of gin (or vodka) into a shaker with ice. You can also leave out the alcohol if you prefer.

- Shake, shake, shake.

- Strain and pour into chilled martini glasses.

- Tip: Finish by adding a sweet maraschino cherry (cocktail cherry in sugar syrup).

Best served, of course, “shaken, not stirred”. 

Cheers to tea!