Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey Gin & Tonic
This highball cocktail has deep roots in British history, making its debut in India in the 1700s. The British East India Company was struggling with malaria and back then, it was common to drink "quinine" to prevent disease. Quinine was commonly consumed in tonic water, but the consistently bitter taste was very unpleasant for the Brits.
In the early 1800s, British officers began adding in water, sugar, lime, and gin in order to make the tonic more palatable, thus inventing the Gin & Tonic. British soldiers in India were provided a gin ration, so the G&T gained popularity in the area and eventually made its way back home to the UK.
Gin and tonics are unique drinks in that the concoction is sweeter and more palatable than its individual parts. Gin, tonic water, or lime juice - consumed on their own - are usually bitter or unpleasant in taste. But mix them together and you've got a classic cocktail that is enjoyed around the world.
With the addition of the Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey tea, we're adding some depth to this typically bright and refreshing drink.
This recipe requires a little bit of advance prep in order to make the Earl Grey infused Gin, so if you're planning on serving at a party or for dinner, we recommend you plan about 1.5 - 2 hours ahead of time before you start mixing.
How to Make the Gin/tea Infusion
Ingredients that you'll need:
In a seal-able jar (we recommend a mason jar) you'll want to pour your gin. The typical rule of thumb is about 2 oz. of gin per drink, so if you have a guest list or meal plan, you can size out your gin ahead of time. Once your gin is in the container, add in your loose leaf Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey tea and allow it to infuse for 2 hours. The longer you leave it, the more pronounced the flavor, but to get that hint of Earl Grey, 2 hours will work just fine. Once it's infused for enough time, strain out the leaves and discard them. Return the gin to the container.
Gin and tonics are typically served iced so we recommend refrigerating your gin before actually serving.
How to Make the Earl Grey Tonic
Ingredients that you'll need:
- Earl Grey-infused Gin
- Tonic Water
- Lime/Lemon Wedge
- Garnish
- Crushed Ice
For the actual drink, if you want to make the experience a little bit more unique, you can serve this drink in a teacup. We think it makes the whole experience more authentic. To mix the drink, you'll want to use about 2 oz. of gin and between 2 and 6 oz. of tonic depending on your desired potency.
Get your glass ready by adding ice. Once it's chilled, you'll want to pour in your gin, then your tonic. You can also add in some fresh lime juice to bright up the drink, but since we're using Earl Grey, simply adding in the lime or lemon wedge at the end will supply all the citrus "pop" you'll need.
Stir vigorously in the glass. If you want, you can add an additional garnish. Mint and cucumber slices are pretty common.
That's it! This drink is best to be enjoyed during the warmer months, preferably on a beach somewhere, responsibly.
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