12 Best Tea-Infused Cocktail Recipes for Tipsy Tea Lovers
Tea-infused cocktails are where timeless tradition meets modern mixology. There’s something fabulous about the moment tea leaves hit hot water, the aroma, the comfort, the ritual. And then that same ritual found its way into cocktail shakers! Across the world, bartenders and tea lovers are discovering that tea isn’t just for afternoon sipping; it’s the secret to creating deliciously unforgettable tea-infused drinks.
A simple flavoured tea syrup can turn a classic gin fizz into a fragrant showstopper, while a slow pour of steeped tea spirits adds depth you just can’t get from fruit juice alone. Even trendsetters at places like Imbibe Magazine rave about the rise of tea-infused spirits and tea syrup cocktails, proving that this is more than a passing fad, it’s a full-blown flavour movement.
The beauty of tea in cocktails can span every mood. You can cool down with refreshing iced tea spritzes, curl up with warming hot tea cocktails on a winter night, or even shake up a vibrant matcha martini if you’re craving a modern tea-powder cocktail that looks as good as it tastes.
Enjoy tipsy tea cocktails for intimate evenings and festive gatherings. These recipes invite you to stir and shake up the endless possibilities of tea-infused drinks.
Read more about the 👉 art of tea mixology
Why Tea Works So Well in Cocktails
Tea isn’t just a soothing sip on a rainy afternoon — it’s a natural partner for mixology. When you look closely, it has all the elements bartenders love to play with: complexity, aroma, and versatility.
🍹 A World of Flavours: Black, green, white, oolong, herbal: each type of tea brings its own character. Bold black teas add depth to whiskey or rum, while delicate green teas balance lighter spirits like gin or vodka. Floral blends can even create a perfume-like finish in tea-infused cocktails.
🍹 Natural Complexity: Tea delivers tannins, subtle bitterness, and layered aromas that mimic what you’d usually find in bitters, vermouths, or liqueurs. This makes it an easy way to add intrigue without complicating your recipe.
🍹 Perfect for Syrups & Spirits: A quick steep turns into a flavoured tea syrup ideal for spritzes or sours, while longer infusions create tea-infused spirits that stand in as the star of the drink. Think of it as your secret shortcut to custom flavours.
🍹 Hot or Cold Appeal: Few ingredients are this versatile. Hot tea cocktails (or warming toddies) soothe on winter nights, while iced tea-infused drinks are refreshing, light, and perfect for summer afternoons.
🍹 Health Halo: Tea comes with an air of wellness: antioxidants, herbal traditions, and ancient rituals. Even when you’re shaking up a cocktail, it feels just a little more virtuous than pouring pure sugar.
Tea is familiar yet surprising, simple yet sophisticated, which is why bartenders and home mixologists can’t stop talking about the rise of tea cocktails!
What Teas Work Well in Cocktails?
The beauty of tea is its endless variety, each style brings a different flavour profile, making it a perfect match for certain spirits and mixers. Here are some of the best teas to use in tea-infused cocktails:
☕ Black Tea: Bold and tannic, black tea pairs beautifully with whiskey, bourbon, and rum. Think of it as a natural stand-in for bitters, adding depth and structure to boozy classics. Earl Grey (with its hint of bergamot) is especially popular in tea syrup cocktails.
☕ Green Tea: Light, grassy, and refreshing, green tea works well with gin, vodka, or tequila. It shines in spritzes and highballs where you want crisp, clean flavours.
☕ Matcha: This powdered matcha green tea is a star in modern mixology. A matcha martini or other tea-powder cocktails deliver earthy flavour, striking colour, and a natural energy boost.
☕ Hojicha: A roasted Japanese green tea with nutty, toasty, almost caramel-like notes. Hojicha tea is naturally low in caffeine, making it perfect for evening cocktails. It pairs wonderfully with whisky, brandy, or even rum in smoky, complex drinks.
☕ Herbal Teas: Chamomile, hibiscus, and rooibos add floral, tart, or honeyed notes. Hibiscus, for example, gives a vibrant red hue and tangy finish, perfect for rum punches or sparkling cocktails.
☕ Oolong Tea: Smooth and slightly fruity, oolong tea brings a layered, complex taste that elevates vodka or gin-based drinks. It’s excellent for infusions.
☕ Chai: Spiced masala chai blends are perfect for warming hot tea cocktails. Combined with rum or brandy, they turn into comforting, cozy drinks for cool nights.
Top Tips for Making Tea Cocktails
🍸 Start with Strong Tea: Brew your tea a little stronger than usual. Dilution happens when shaking or mixing, so you’ll want the flavour to shine through.
🍸 Cool Before Mixing: If you’re making iced tea-infused cocktails, let the tea cool completely before shaking with spirits. Hot tea can melt ice too fast and water down the drink.
🍸 Play with Tea Syrups: Turn brewed tea into a flavoured tea syrup by simmering with sugar or honey. This is the easiest way to add depth to spritzes, sours, or even sparkling cocktails.
🍸 Infuse Your Spirits: Try making your own tea-infused spirits by steeping tea leaves in gin, rum, vodka, or whisky. Even a 1–2 hour infusion can transform a bottle.
🍸 Mind the Time: Don’t over-steep. Too long, and you’ll pull out bitterness and tannins that overpower your drink. Use a timer for best results.
🍸 Match Tea to Spirit: Think pairings: bold black tea with bourbon, green tea with gin, smoky hojicha with whisky, floral herbal teas with vodka. Each combo creates a unique profile.
🍸 Experiment with Hot Cocktails: Not everything has to be iced. Hot tea cocktails like spiked chai or toddy-style drinks are perfect for winter nights.
🍸 Garnish with Intent: Use lemon slices, fresh herbs, or even edible flowers. They don’t just look pretty — they amplify the tea’s natural aromas.
🍸 Taste as You Go: Tea can vary by brand, leaf quality, and steep time. Always taste test before serving, and adjust sweetness or strength to suit.
🍸 Think Beyond the Usual: Matcha, oolong, rooibos, and hojicha all make fantastic bases for modern, adventurous cocktails, don’t be afraid to experiment.
12 Best Tea Cocktail Recipes to Try
Now that you know why tea and cocktails make such a perfect match, it’s time to get mixing. From bright and refreshing iced spritzes to cozy, warming hot tea cocktails, these recipes showcase just how versatile tea can be in the world of mixology.
You’ll find classics reimagined with tea-infused spirits, creative twists featuring flavoured tea syrups, and modern favourites like the matcha martini. Whether you’re looking for something light and citrusy, bold and boozy, or even a little smoky with hojicha, these drinks will inspire your next happy hour or tipsy tea party.
So grab your shaker, steep your leaves, and dive into these 12 fabulous tea cocktail recipes that prove tea isn’t just for afternoon sipping, it’s ready to take centre stage at cocktail hour.
1. Matcha Tequila Sunrise
This vibrant tea cocktail takes the classic tequila sunrise and gives it an earthy twist with matcha. As one of the most striking tea-powder cocktails, the matcha tequila sunrise blends sweet citrus with the bold flavour of green tea powder. It’s a refreshing way to enjoy a tequila-based drink while exploring the world of tea-infused cocktails.
If you love tea with tequila, try this tea-tequila slammer recipe.
2. Chamomile Hot Toddy
The hot toddy is a timeless favourite, and this chamomile version transforms it into one of the coziest hot tea cocktails you’ll ever try. The soothing floral notes of chamomile, combined with whiskey, lemon, and honey, make this the ultimate warming tea cocktail for cold nights. It’s a comforting example of how cocktails with tea can be both relaxing and spirited.
For variety, try making this delicious apple chai hot toddy.
3. Mexican Hot Chocolate (Tequila)
This rich and spicy drink is more than dessert, it’s a bold herbal cocktail that layers Mexican hot chocolate and a splash of tequila. As a decadent warming herbal tea cocktail, it balances cocoa, spice, and agave for a luxurious nightcap. Perfect for winter gatherings, it shows how cocktails with tea can be indulgent yet sophisticated.
4. Long Island Iced Tea (with Real Tea!)
Finally, a Long Island iced tea cocktail that truly lives up to its name. Instead of just cola, this recipe uses real black tea to create one of the most authentic cocktails with tea. With vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and a splash of citrus, it’s bold, balanced, and an essential addition to any list of tea-infused cocktails.
5. Kombucha Cocktails
Fizzy, tart, and endlessly versatile, kombucha makes the perfect base for tea cocktails. These light and refreshing tea-infused cocktails include pink guava, mango mojito, and elderberry whisky sour variations. Naturally bubbly, kombucha transforms into one of the most creative ways to enjoy spiked iced tea cocktails that are equal parts healthy and fun.
Start with a homemade base (how to make kombucha) and play around with flavours!
6. Matcha Martini
A sleek and modern classic, the matcha martini is one of the most popular tea-powder cocktails. Smooth vodka or gin meets the earthy richness of matcha for a vibrant green tea cocktail that’s as Instagram-worthy as it is delicious. It’s proof that cocktails with tea can be elegant, energizing, and unforgettable.
7. Spiked Hibiscus Iced Tea
Bright, tangy, and refreshing, hibiscus creates one of the best spiked iced tea cocktails around. This ruby-red tea-infused cocktail pairs hibiscus tea with rum, citrus, and spice, making it a vibrant choice for summer parties. It’s a perfect example of how cocktails with tea can be light, fruity, and packed with flavour.
8. White Tea Shots
Smooth and citrusy, white tea shots are a bar favourite that gets even better when infused with actual tea. These quick, fun tea cocktails combine vodka, peach schnapps, and lemon with the delicate flavour of white tea. Whether served at parties or as part of a tasting menu of tea-infused cocktails, they’re a playful twist on modern mixology.
9. Mulled Wine & Chai-Spiced Sangria
Nothing says festive quite like warming tea cocktails such as mulled wine and chai sangria. In this recipe, red wine is infused with chai tea and spices, creating a fragrant hot tea cocktail perfect for cozy nights. Served chilled, it transforms into chai-spiced sangria, showing just how versatile cocktails with tea can be.
10. Gin and Blooming Tea
Delicate, floral, and theatrical, this gin and blooming tea cocktail is a true showstopper. As the tea unfurls in the glass, it creates one of the most beautiful tea-infused cocktails you’ll ever serve. Crisp gin complements the floral notes, making it one of the most elegant cocktails with tea for special occasions.
11. Black Tea Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned gets a bold upgrade in this black tea cocktail. Strong, tannic black tea frozen into iced tea-cubes, infused with bourbon, turning it into a smoky, layered tea-infused cocktail. With its orange peel garnish and bitters, this is a prime example of how cocktails with tea can deepen and enrich even the most traditional recipes.
12. Mint Tea Mojitos
Cool, refreshing, and endlessly drinkable, this mint tea mojito proves that cocktails with tea can be even more flavourful than their originals. Fresh mint, lime, rum, and brewed mint tea create one of the most revitalizing tea-infused cocktails. Served over ice, it’s a summer classic and a refreshing alternative to ordinary spiked iced tea.
FAQs About Tea Cocktails
1. What is the difference between tea-infused cocktails and drinks that just include tea syrup?
Tea-infused cocktails use tea leaves steeped directly in the spirit or water, extracting flavour, aroma, and sometimes tannins. Tea syrup cocktails use a syrup made from brewed tea plus sugar (or another sweetener) to add flavour and sweetness. Both add tea, but infusion gives a deeper, raw tea character; syrup gives sweetness and tea flavour without bitterness.
2. How strong should I brew tea for cocktails so it doesn’t turn bitter?
Use a slightly stronger brew than normal, but be careful with steep time and temperature. For delicate teas (green, white, hojicha, etc.), shorter steeping at the proper temperature helps avoid bitterness. High temperature or too long steeping, especially with black tea, can bring out harsh tannins. Taste test as you go.
3. Can I use cold brew tea in cocktails, and what’s the benefit?
Yes! Cold brew tea (steeping tea in cold water for several hours) yields gentler flavour, less bitterness, smoother mouthfeel. It’s especially good for iced or summery tea cocktails. It can act as a substitute for water or lower-alcohol mixer when chilled.
4. How long should I infuse tea into spirits, and how do I know when it’s “done”?
Infusion time depends on tea type and spirit:
Black teas: shorter infusions (10-30 minutes)
Herbal or lighter teas: longer (up to 1 hour or more)
Taste periodically. When the flavour meets your preference (aromatic, noticeable tea flavour without overwhelming bitterness), stop the infusion. Strain out leaves to avoid over-extraction.
5. Which spirits pair best with different types of tea?
Some classic tea and spirit pairings:
Bourbon/whiskey and black tea for depth & boldness
Gin or vodka and green tea or herbal teas for lighter, aromatic notes
Dark spirits (rum, brandy) with chai or spiced teas for warmth
Hojicha’s toasty roast works nicely with whisky or aged rum
6. How can I reduce sugar or make lower-sugar tea cocktails without sacrificing flavour?
Use tea-infused spirits to bring in flavour without needing lots of sweeteners.
Make tea syrups with alternative sweeteners (honey, agave, stevia) in smaller amounts.
Use bitters, citrus, or herbal notes to balance sweetness.
Try herbal or lightly flavoured teas that naturally complement other ingredients so you don’t need as much sugar.
7. Are there non-alcoholic (mocktail) versions of tea cocktails that still feel special?
Yes! Tea naturally adds body, aroma, depth. Use brewed tea or cold brew instead of spirits, add herbal infusions, tea syrup, or carbonated water for bubbles. Garnishes and seasonings (spice, citrus peel, herbs) make them feel elevated. Examples: iced hibiscus "tea mocktail," tea-infused lemonade.
8. How do I best garnish tea cocktails for aroma and visual appeal?
Garnishes aren’t just decoration; they add aroma and first impressions. Use fresh herbs (mint, basil), citrus peel twists, edible flowers, spices (star anise, cinnamon stick), or tea leaves floating on top. For vintage or elegant style, gems like crystal glassware & classic forms help with the presentation.
9. Can tea cocktails be served hot, and what are good ones to try warmed?
Absolutely. Hot tea cocktails are ideal for cozy nights or cold weather. Hot toddies with chamomile or chai, mulled wine with chai spice, spiced Mexican hot chocolate with tea, etc. Be mindful of temperatures so not to burn off alcohol or scald tea flavours.
10. How do I store tea syrups, infusions or leftover tea-infused spirits safely?
Store syrups and infusions in airtight glass containers.
Refrigerate tea syrups; many last 1-2 weeks depending on sugar and tea type.
Tea-infused spirits should be strained well and stored sealed; some keep well for weeks, but the taste may change over time.
Always label with date & tea type so you know freshness and what’s in each batch.
It is important to note that any health advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or overall health. The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice.