This elegant Earl Grey Martini is a sophisticated twist on the classic cocktail. It blends the aromatic notes of Earl Grey tea with smooth gin and zesty lemon. It’s bound to become one of your new favorite cocktail recipes.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique flavor: The Earl Grey tea simple syrup introduces a distinct and sophisticated flavor. The bergamot essence in Earl Grey adds a citrusy and floral note, setting this martini apart.
- Perfectly balanced: The combination of gin, triple sec, and lemon juice creates a delicious blend of botanical, sweet, and tart flavors that any gin sour or martini lover will enjoy.
- Easy to customize: This martini is very adaptable! Experiment with different gins or swap the triple sec for elderflower liqueur for a more delicate sweetness. You can also top it with an tea-infused sugar rim for an extra touch of flair.
What is Earl Grey Tea?
Earl Grey tea, renowned for its distinctive flavor, combines black tea with the oil of bergamot, a Mediterranean citrus fruit. This infusion creates a uniquely floral and refreshing taste, beloved in tea circles.
Originating in the 1800s, it’s believed to be named after the 2nd Earl Grey, a British Prime Minister. However, there is more than one origin story out there, so no one really knows its full origin. One thing that is certainly true is that this classic tea has endured the test of time, maintaining popularity for its unique flavor profile.
What is an Earl Grey Martini?
An Earl Grey Martini is a contemporary cocktail that infuses the classic martini with the distinctive flavor of Earl Grey tea. The original version of this drink, known as the “Earl Grey MarTEAni,” was created in the early 2000s by Audrey Saunders, a renowned mixologist and the owner of the Pegu Club.
Saunders’ original recipe included Earl Grey-infused gin and an egg white, which added a silky texture and a frothy top to the drink. This concoction was a delightful twist on a classic martini meets gin sour, combining the botanicals of gin with the citrusy, floral notes of Earl Grey tea. My version is a bit different but equally delicious.
Ingredient Notes
- Gin: Different gins provide different experiences. Floral gins like Hendrick’s Flora Adora or Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin enhance the bergamot flavor, while peppery gins like Plymouth give the drink a bit of a bite. I used Teasmith Gin (it’s a favorite of mine), which is a Scottish gin known for its unique infusion of tea into their gin, which I think complemented the tea syrup beautifully.
- Triple Sec: A high-quality triple sec like Cointreau is crucial for adding depth and a refined orange flavor. I used to use only cheap triple sec brands, but once you start using a triple sec like Cointreau, you don’t go back.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is key in cocktails. If you must use bottled, opt for 100% juice that is not from concentrate.
- Earl Grey Tea Simple Syrup: This homemade syrup is super easy to make. It’s basically highly sugared brewed tea, so if you can brew a cup of tea, you can easily make this syrup.
- Garnish: I used a lemon slice, but you can also use a lemon twist if you prefer.
How to Make Earl Grey Simple Syrup
For all the tips and tricks for making this syrup, make sure you check out my detailed recipe post for Earl Grey Simple Syrup. But, it is super simple and you can easily make it by following these easy steps:
- Brew the Tea: Steep an Earl Grey tea bag (or loose leaf tea) in boiling water for about 5 minutes, creating a strong infusion to capture the tea’s distinct bergamot flavor.
- Combine with Sugar: Mix the brewed tea with an equal amount of sugar, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Cool and Store: Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a clean bottle or jar. Store the syrup in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Step-by-Step Mixing Guide
Step 1: Pour gin, triple sec, and lemon juice into an empty cocktail shaker.
Step 2: Add the Earl Grey simple syrup and ice cubes. Shake until well chilled.
Step 3: Strain into a coupe or martini glass and garnish with a twisted lemon slice on a cocktail pick, if desired.
Expert Tips and Variations
- Chill your martini glasses before mixing the drink for an extra refreshing cocktail.
- Make a big batch for parties by mixing the ingredients in a pitcher and chilling in the fridge up to one day in advance. I’ve included measurements for a batch of 8 in the recipe card notes below.
- Adjust the flavor to your preferences. Add more lemon juice for a more tart cocktail. Add more Earl Grey simple syrup or decrease the amount of lemon juice for a sweeter martini. Adding a sugar rim can also enhance the sweetness of the cocktail.
- Add an egg white to your cocktail shaker for a silkier texture, similar to the original recipe. To properly incorporate it, first perform a ‘dry shake.’ This means shaking the egg white with other ingredients without ice to create a smooth, frothy consistency. After this, add ice and shake again to chill the drink. This technique ensures a frothy and velvety cocktail. If you don’t like the idea of using raw egg whites in your cocktail, try using pasteurized egg whites or aquafaba (the liquid in canned chickpeas).
- Try using Lady Grey tea in the simple syrup instead of Earl Grey. Lady Grey tea is a gentler variant with subtle notes of orange peel and sometimes lavender or lemon. It’s an aromatic and lighter alternative, perfect for those seeking a softer flavor profile.
FAQs
How does this martini differ from traditional martinis?
The Earl Grey Martini stands out with its unique addition of it’s tea-infused simple syrup, providing a distinct citrus-floral flavor that’s not found in classic martinis. This, along with lemon juice and triple sec, adds complexity and a delightful twist.
Which gin is best for an Earl Grey Martini?
Teasmith Gin is a fantastic choice due to its tea-infused botanicals, which enhance the Earl Grey flavor. However, any high-quality gin that you enjoy will work well, especially those with prominent citrus or floral notes.
How should I store leftover Earl Grey Tea Simple Syrup?
Keep the leftover syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for 2-3 weeks. This makes it convenient for preparing multiple cocktails or for use in other recipes.
More Martinis to Love
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📖 Recipe
Earl Grey Tea Martini Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces gin
- 1 ounce triple sec (preferably Cointreau)
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- ¾ ounce Earl Grey simple syrup (see notes)
- Lemon slice for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add the gin, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup to an empty cocktail shaker.
- Add the ice and shake until well chilled.
- Strain into a martini glass and garnish with the lemon slice, if desired.
Notes
- Brew the Tea: Steep Earl Grey tea in boiling water for about 5 minutes, creating a strong infusion to capture the tea’s distinct bergamot flavor.
- Combine with Sugar: Mix the brewed tea with an equal amount of sugar, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Cool and Store: Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a clean bottle or jar. Store the syrup in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- 1 ½ cups gin
- 1 cup triple sec (preferably Cointreau)
- ½ cup lemon juice
- ¾ cup Earl Grey tea simple syrup
- Lemon slices for garnishes (optional)
- Add the gin, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a pitcher.
- Stir well and chill until ready to serve – can be made up to 1 day in advance.
- Garnish the glasses with lemon slices, if desired.
Nutrition
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Sue
This was so refreshing! Will definitely be making again!