Creamy Earl Grey Cocktail

Take your afternoon teatime to the next level with this seductively creamy Earl Grey infused gin cocktail!

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This gin cocktail is inspired by my love of afternoon tea. While I love a cup of hot Earl Grey with milk and sugar, it’s even more fabulous as a cocktail! An infused simple syrup adds that iconic Earl Grey flavour, and egg whites create a luxuriously smooth and silky finish. Earl Grey tea gets its distinctive flavour from bergamot, a citrus fruit native to southern Italy. With delicate floral notes and a hint of citrus, this luscious Earl Grey infused cocktail is the perfect tea time tipple! 

Ingredient Notes

Earl Grey tea: I absolutely adore the Creamy Earl Grey tea from the Secret Garden Tea Company located here in Vancouver, BC. In fact, I love it so much that replenishing my tea supplies is reason enough for the long drive into the city! The addition of vanilla in their Creamy Earl Grey is what really takes it over the top for me. Although, you can use any brand of Earl Grey that you prefer. This cocktail would even be a great time to use a lavender scented Earl Grey.

Gin: My favourite cocktail base alcohol. It goes without saying that the botanicals in gin perfectly compliment the delicate flavours of Earl Grey tea. I love using Tempo Gin in my cocktails.

Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice adds the perfect sour note to balance the sweetness in this cocktail and really brings out the citrus notes from the bergamot!

Egg Whites: Strictly speaking, the egg white is optional. But I strongly suggest trying it. Adding an egg white to cocktails gives a creamy mouthfeel and creates a delicate foam on top.

There are of course risks involved with consuming raw egg whites which can be mitigated with good handling. Take care when handling the eggs, as the bacteria responsible for salmonella is usually found on the shell. When separating your egg white try using a slotted spoon, or clean hands, rather than the broken eggshell. Another option is to use a carton of pasteurized egg whites. This can be helpful for parties where you will be making multiple drinks at a time. I haven’t noticed much of a difference in using the carton egg whites versus fresh when making drinks for a crowd. If you don’t want to take the risk, then this cocktail will still work without the egg white, it just won’t have that creamy quality. 

How to Make a Creamy Earl Grey Cocktail

Prepare the Earl Grey simple syrup

Begin by making the syrup. In a small saucepan combine the water and sugar. Then, stir to combine and bring to a simmer over high heat. Once the simple syrup is hot and the sugar is dissolved, add the Earl Grey tea bags. Remove the saucepan from the heat, cover, and let steep for 20 to 30 minutes. 

After steeping, remove the tea bags. Be sure to squeeze the tea bags to remove every bit of the syrup! Let the syrup cool completely before using. This syrup will keep for up to a month in the fridge. 

Make the cocktail

In a cocktail shaker, add the gin, Earl Grey simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and egg white. Add ice, then cover and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Be sure to shake the cocktail well to fully emulsify the egg white. Strain into a coupe glass and enjoy!

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

Enjoy this tantalizing tea infused cocktail at your next tea party alongside delicious teatime treats like my Sally Lunn buns!

For more cocktail recipes perfect with an afternoon snack, try these:

• Rhubarb Lavender Gin Cocktail
• Chamomile Honey Gin Sour
• Sparkling Rosé Lemonade
• Spiced Pear Cocktail

If you’re looking for a tasty appetizer pairing for your cocktail, try these:

• Whipped Brie with Herbs and Honeycomb
• Brie Pull-Apart Bread with Pear and Caramelized Onions
• Whipped Feta with Honey and Walnuts