The Earl Grey Martini is a sophisticated twist on a classic that’s perfect for evenings that blur into twilight.
Looking for a fun twist on a traditional martini?
The classic martini is a love letter to juniper. In all its bracing glory, gin takes center stage, leaving little room for subtlety.But what if you crave a martini with a touch of intrigue? A hint of something unexpected, like, well, tea time? Enter the Earl Grey Martini.
This martini is for the discerning martini drinker, the one who appreciates subtle floral notes, a whisper of bergamot that mingles with the distinctive flavor of gin. It’s a martini for those afternoons that blur into twilight when a little pick-me-up is desired, but elegance is non-negotiable. Think of it as Audrey Hepburn’s martini, a sophisticated twist on a classic, like a dry martini or a dirty smoked martini.
Watch 🎥: How to make this Earl Grey Martini Cocktail
What Is Earl Grey?
Earl Grey tea is way cooler than it gets credit for. This black tea gets its name from Charles Grey, a British Prime Minister, who reigned during the 1800s. But how this tea came about is a bit of a head-scratcher. Some tales say it was a fancy gift, others that it was just a clever way to mask the taste of their not-so-great tap water. There’s even a story about Chinese diplomats being super grateful for a trade deal and whipping up this special brew.
The truth? We might never know for sure. But one thing’s for certain: Earl Grey tea has stuck around for a reason. It’s sophisticated, delicious, and a conversation starter (especially when you bring up the whole mystery behind it).
An Earl Grey Martini is a twist on the classic martini. Instead of just gin and vermouth, it adds a homemade or store-bought Earl Grey tea simple syrup for a subtle citrus and floral twist that complements the gin’s botanical flavors.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
What You Need to Make an Earl Grey Martini
How to Make an Earl Grey Martini
- To make the simple syrup, add the tea bags to a large mug or bowl with the boiling water.
- Allow the tea to steep for about 10 minutes, and then remove the tea bags.
- Add the tea and sugar to a saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Store the sugar syrup in a glass jar.
- Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Since gin is the main player in this martini, choose a good one! A botanical gin with floral or citrus notes will complement the Earl Grey flavors beautifully. We are currently crushing on Hendricks Midsummer Solstice.
- A lemon twist is classic, but don’t be afraid to experiment! A sprig of fresh lavender adds a touch of floral elegance, or a single bergamot peel offers an intense citrus punch.
How to Serve This Cocktail
This Earl Grey Martini is perfect as a sophisticated pre-dinner drink with appetizers or a refreshing evening cocktail. Strain it into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a twist of lemon peel for an elegant presentation.
More Cocktail Recipes
This Earl Grey Martini is for the grown-up you, the one who appreciates a touch of intrigue, a hint of citrus that lingers on the palate long after the last sip. If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment down below to help out the next reader!
Earl Grey Martini
AmericanEquipment
- cocktail shaker
- Strainer
- mug or bowl
- Saucepan
- Stirring spoon
- glass jar
- martini glass
Ingredients
For the earl grey simple syrup
- 2-3 earl grey tea bags
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 granulated sugar
For the cocktail
- 1 oz earl grey simple syrup
- 2 oz gin
- ½ oz lemon juice
- Lemon peel - for garnish
Instructions
For the earl grey simple syrup
- Add the tea bags to a large mug or bowl with the boiling water.
- Allow the tea to steep for about 10 minutes then remove the tea bags.
- Add the tea and sugar to a saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Store in a glass jar.
For the cocktail
- Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.
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