Iced tea cocktails

Blending tea and spirit

Tea, particularly green tea, is the second most popular beverage in the U.S. after water. Green tea's antioxidant-rich health benefits as well as the growing cultural influence of Asia have inspired tea drinkers to experiment with new ways to sip (and cook with) their favorite steeped drink.

James Labe is the nation's first tea sommelier whose signature tea cocktails have been featured at W Hotels and India's Taj Hotels. He says the combination of tea and spirits offers a refreshing beverage experience. "Tea and spirits have traveled along parallel roads toward our enjoyment of leisure and life's luxuries," says Labe. "Spirits have long been at home in fine dining, but only recently has that cocktail moment included tea."

ZEN Green Tea Liqueur, a unique blend of the finest Japanese green tea leaves, premium herbs and natural flavors is the first green tea liqueur to debut in America. Well-suited for today's sophisticated cocktail culture, the light, aromatic spirit is featured on the cocktail menus of the most prominent establishments in the country. ZEN is delicious chilled, on the rocks, stirred into unsweetened iced tea or mixed into a wide variety of impressive cocktails.

Iced tea cocktail recipes

Ready to enhance your iced tea drinking experience? Try one of Labe's signature iced tea cocktails featuring ZEN Green Tea Liqueur. These refreshing drinks are ideal for balmy afternoons, summer cocktail parties and poolside sipping. For more information on ZEN Green Tea Liqueur and to find a retail location near you, visit ZenLiqueur.com.

ZEN, White & Blue Iced Tea Cocktail

Ingredients:
3 parts prepared Silver Needle White Tea
1-1/2 parts ZEN Green Tea Liqueur
1-1/2 parts SKYY Infusions Raspberry
3 parts fresh blueberries, muddled or pureéd
Fresh mint, for garnish

Directions:
1. To prepare white tea, combine 1 part cold and 5 parts boiling water (water should be about 180 degrees F.). Use 1/2 cup dry tea leaves to 2 cups hot water. Steep 3 minutes. Strain and chill.

2. Combine with remaining ingredients and stir. Serve on the rocks, garnished with fresh mint.

ZEN Goddess Iced Tea Cocktail

Ingredients:
3 parts prepared Iron Goddess of Mercy Oolong Tea
1-1/2 parts ZEN Green Tea Liqueur
1 part passion fruit juice
1 part Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila
Grapefruit slices, for garnish

Directions:
1. To prepare oolong tea, combine 1 part cold and 5 parts boiling water (water should be about 180 degrees F.). Use 1/4 cup dry tea leaves to 2 cups hot water. Steep 2 minutes. Strain and chill.

2. Pour tea and remaining ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into glass. Garnish with a large, thin grapefruit slice.

ZEN Blossom Iced Tea Cocktail

Ingredients:

4 parts prepared Jasmine Pearl Green Tea 1-1/2 parts ZEN Green Tea Liqueur
1-1/2 parts Flor de Cana White Rum
1 part coconut cream
Edible flowers, for garnish

Directions:
To prepare green tea, combine 1 part cold and 5 parts boiling water (water should be about 180 degrees F.). Use 1/4 cup dry tea leaves to 2 cups hot water. Steep 2 minutes. Strain and chill. Pour tea and remaining ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into glass. Garnish with edible flower.

ZEN Dew Iced Tea Cocktail

Ingredients:
4 parts prepared Gyokuro Green Tea
1-1/2 parts ZEN Green Tea Liqueur

1-1/2 parts Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey
Lime zest
Lime wedge, for garnish

Directions:
1. To prepare green tea, combine 1 part cold and 5 parts boiling water (water should be about 180 degrees F.). Use 1/4 cup dry tea leaves to 2 cups cold water. Steep 3 to 4 minutes. Strain and chill.

2. Combine and stir ingredients. Garnish with a lime wedge.

More on tea and cocktails

• National Iced Tea Month recipes
• Drunken Peach Iced Tea
• Flor de Cana Flip Flop Punch