Ultimate Guide to Gin and Botanicals

Gin has been a beloved spirit for centuries, known for its complex flavors and versatile nature. One of the defining characteristics of gin is the use of botanicals, which are a variety of natural herbs, spices, fruits, and flowers used to flavour the spirit. One of the most versatile and exciting botanicals used in gin production is tea.

Tea is a popular botanical in gin production because it adds a subtle yet distinctive flavor to the spirit. It can be used to enhance the other botanicals and juniper berries used in gin, and it also has a range of health benefits.

In this Ultimate Guide to Gin and Botanicals, we will explore the different types of tea that can be used in gin production, how to use tea as a botanical, and three signature gin and tea cocktail recipes.

Types of Tea for Infusing Gin

When it comes to using tea as a botanical in gin production, there are many different types of tea to choose from. Each type of tea has its own unique flavor profile and characteristics that can add a different twist to the finished gin. Here are some of the most popular types of tea used in gin production:

Green Tea

Green tea has a delicate and refreshing flavor that pairs well with the juniper berries and other botanicals used in gin. It also has a range of health benefits, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a popular ingredient in healthy cocktails.

Earl Grey Tea & French Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey tea is a black tea flavored with bergamot, a type of citrus fruit. When used in gin production, it adds a distinctive citrus and floral flavor that pairs well with the other botanicals. Earl Grey tea is also a popular ingredient in cocktails, adding a unique twist to classic recipes like the gin and tonic.

French Earl Grey tea has the addition of cornflower, calendula and rose petals for a special touch that lifts the flavour profile incredibly.

Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea has a tangy and fruity flavor that adds a unique twist to the classic gin and tonic. It is also rich in antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds, making it a healthy addition to any cocktail.

Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

Blue butterfly pea flower tea is known for its striking blue color and mild, earthy flavor. When used as a botanical in gin, it adds a subtle yet distinctive flavor and a vibrant blue hue to the finished product. Blue butterfly pea flower tea is also a popular ingredient in cocktails, adding a unique visual element to drinks like the blue margarita or the color-changing gin and tonic.

In addition to the types of tea previously mentioned, French Earl Grey and Lemongrass and Ginger are also great options for infusing gin with unique and delicious flavors.

French Earl Grey

French Earl Grey is a variation of traditional Earl Grey tea that includes a blend of black tea leaves with lavender flowers, rose petals, and cornflowers. This blend adds a floral and fragrant note to the gin, which pairs well with the juniper and other botanicals. French Earl Grey also adds a touch of sweetness and complexity to the gin, making it a great addition to classic gin cocktails like the gin and tonic or the martini.

Lemongrass and Ginger

Lemongrass and Ginger tea is a blend of lemongrass and ginger root, which creates a bright and zesty flavor profile that is perfect for gin. The combination of spicy ginger and citrusy lemongrass adds a refreshing twist to classic gin cocktails and pairs well with a variety of fruits and herbs. Lemongrass and Ginger tea-infused gin is also great in a spicy and refreshing gin and tonic or a sweet and sour sour-style cocktail.

Tips to Successful Gin & Botanicals Mixology

When using tea as a botanical in gin production, it is important to choose high-quality, loose-leaf tea that is fresh and flavorful. The tea should be steeped in the gin for a period of time to infuse the flavor, and then strained out before bottling. Here are a few tips.

Choose High-Quality Tea: When selecting tea for gin production, it is important to choose high-quality, loose-leaf tea that is fresh and flavorful. Avoid using tea bags, which are often lower quality and can contain unwanted additives.

Infuse the Tea: To infuse the tea into the gin, simply add the loose-leaf tea to the gin and let it steep for several hours or overnight. The length of time will depend on the type of tea and the desired intensity of flavor.

Strain the Tea: Once the tea has been infused into the gin, it should be strained out using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. This will remove any bits of tea leaves and ensure a smooth and consistent flavor.

Signature Gin and Tea Cocktail Recipes

Now that we have explored the different types of tea that can be used in gin production and how to use tea as a botanical, let's dive into some signature gin and tea cocktail recipes that are sure to impress your guests:

1. Choose your tea: Select a high-quality loose leaf tea that will complement the flavor of your gin. Some popular tea choices include Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Jasmine, and green tea.

2. Infuse the gin: Add the loose leaf tea to a bottle of gin and let it infuse for 24-48 hours, depending on how strong you want the tea flavor to be. Strain out the tea leaves before using the infused gin in cocktails.

3. Create a tea-infused simple syrup: To add a touch of sweetness and enhance the tea flavor, make a simple syrup infused with the same tea you used to infuse the gin. Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer until the sugar dissolves. Add the tea leaves and steep for 10-15 minutes, then strain out the tea leaves and chill the syrup.

4. Experiment with botanicals: In addition to the tea, you can add other botanicals to your gin, such as citrus peels, herbs, or spices. Try different combinations of botanicals to find the flavor profile you prefer.

5. Mix your cocktail: Use the tea-infused gin and simple syrup to create your gin cocktail. Try a classic gin and tonic with a twist by using tea-infused gin and adding a splash of tea-infused simple syrup. Or, experiment with creating your own unique cocktail recipe using the tea-infused gin and other botanicals.

Using tea as a botanical in gin can add depth and complexity to your cocktails. Experiment with different tea varieties and botanicals to create your own signature tea-infused gin cocktail.

The Green Tea Gimlet

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz green tea
• 3/4 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled glass.
3. Garnish with a lime wheel and a sprig of fresh mint.

This refreshing and healthy cocktail combines the delicate flavor of green tea with the classic gin gimlet. The lime juice and simple syrup add a sweet and sour note that balances out the flavors and makes this cocktail a crowd-pleaser.

French Earl Grey Martini

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz French Earl Grey tea-infused vermouth (1 teaspoon tea steeped in 30ml vermouth)
• 1/2 oz orange liqueur
• Lemon twist
• Flowers for dusting

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir well and strain into a chilled martini glass.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist.

This twist on the classic martini combines the citrusy and floral notes of French Earl Grey tea with gin and orange liqueur. The result is a complex and flavorful cocktail that is perfect for sipping on a warm evening.

Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Gin and Tonic

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz blue butterfly pea flower tea
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• Tonic water
• Lime wheel

Instructions:

1. Add gin, blue butterfly pea flower tea, and lime juice to a highball glass with ice.
2. Stir well.
3. Top with tonic water.
4. Garnish with a lime wheel.

This stunning cocktail is sure to impress your guests with its vibrant blue hue. The blue butterfly pea flower tea adds a unique and subtle flavor to the gin and tonic, while the lime juice adds a touch of sourness. The result is a refreshing and visually stunning cocktail that is perfect for any occasion.

With so many different types of tea to choose from, the possibilities are endless. Try these signature gin and tea cocktail recipes at your next gathering and impress your guests with your mixology skills.

Attention: Restaurants, Bars and Gin Distilleries

Are you interested in creating your own signature cocktails? Get in touch with our team here at The Tea Cartel, we can help you with choosing the right ingredients that guests will leave a 5 star review and clamour over. We offer the finest quality botanicals, simple recipes with maximum flavour and wholesale pricing and rewards, exclusive to businesses like yours.  Simply email us: help@theteacartel.com