Blooming Tea Toddy With Homemade Lemon Cordial
We are in a moment of Spring that feels both fresh…and frigid. Some parts of the country are still getting a snow flurry, others damp and crisp waking up with life. In my parts, the ground and tree buds are popping with green and there are plenty of blooms to be found…yet the storms passing through are still bringing through quite the blustery bite. A confused climate, no question - wanting to light a fire and yet enjoying longer daylight hours.
What better way to celebrate a conflicted season than with a twist on the typical toddy cocktail: Spring-timing edition using a floral flowering tea! I’ve been dreaming about this cocktail for a year now, trying to figure out the best flavor combos and well…find the excuse to put a whole blooming tea pod into a champagne coupe and have it actually make sense…And I’m happy to report: this DOES indeed make absolute deliciously belly warming sense. Bonus: I get to show off some of my cut flowers exploding in the beds right now. Proud plant lady!
Side note: This was my first time growing tulips and ranunculus…highly satisfying!
Jasmine green tea pairs delightfully with a creamy bourbon and the cocktail gets clever with a sugar/lemon addition in cordial form. Cordials are potent! And this one is no exception: bitter, sweet and super tangy…a little goes a long way for a powerfully complex tartness that is excellent for a hot toddy. What makes a cordial unique from a simple syrup, you ask?! Well, it’s different because you use the whole fruit which pulls out the bitter and best parts of the zest, rind and juice. Cordials aren’t just for the toddy - save this recipe for summer, because it works wonderfully with berries and stone fruit (not to mention the entire citrus family). Whip up a refreshing iced spritz and pair your cordial with a lighter spirit (gin is a treat!) or just with some sparkling water for a non-alcoholic zing!
Alright - who’s ready to embrace a the tea toddy!?
This drink is sophisticated, sassy and 100% springtime approved. Pinkies up, my friends! Wishing you a healthy and happy season ahead.
Blooming Tea Toddy With Homemade Lemon Cordial
MAKES 1 COCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 oz bourbon
4-6 oz hot jasmine green tea (1 blooming tea pod)
1/3 - 1/2 oz lemon cordial to taste (recipe below)
DIRECTIONS
Brew your jasmine blooming tea pod to your specific brand specifications (I poured 3-4 inches of water over pod with 100 ° C water and let steep for 8-10 minutes). Remove tea bloom and set aside. Add hot tea, bourbon and lemon cordial to your glass, stir to mix. Using tongs, place tea blossom into the center of your glass and enjoy!
Lemon Cordial
YEILDS 1 CUP
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (approx. 2 large lemons, reserve all lemon skins/pith after juicing)
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
DIRECTIONS
Day One: Juice 2 large lemons, reserve juice separately in the refrigerator. Coarsely chop remaining lemon halves and mix with sugar in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 24-48 hours.
Day Two: Add chopped lemon and sugar mixture to a pan with 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve any remaining sugars. Add reserved 1/2 cup lemon juice and bring to a simmer, bubbling on low for 5 minutes. Strain out solids and add hot liquid into a bowl, using a wooden spoon to press out any extra juice from lemon rinds.
Cordial will keep, refrigerated for 3-4 weeks in a sterile sealed container.
