Wintertime Tea

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Cocktail History

The Wintertime Tea is a winter cocktail that was created by food writer and author Jessica Strand and was first published in Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season. Originally a non-alcoholic recipe, the recipe added rosemary syrup to the classic Arnold Palmer—a mix of iced tea and lemonade—for a seasonal herbal twist, but this updated, boozier version builds on the original by incorporating Yellow Chartreuse, which enhances the drink with its complex, herbal notes to create a more sophisticated and warming take on the traditional recipe.

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Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Black Tea: This is a type of tea made with the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. I used Twinings Premium Black Tea.

Sparkling Lemonade: This is a soda made with lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water. I used IZZE Sparkling Original Lemonade.

Yellow Chartreuse: This is a liqueur made in France with over a hundred herbs and plants, spices, sugar, alcohol, and water.

Winter Herb Syrup: This is a sweetener made with rosemary leaves, thyme leaves, sage leaves, white sugar, gum arabic powder, and water. I used this sous vide recipe.

Lemon Slice: This is a slice of lemon that has been cut into a half wheel shape.

Rosemary: This is an aromatic evergreen herb with needle-like leaves and a robust, piney, and slightly peppery flavor.

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Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.

Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring, layering, and reaching the bottom of tall cocktail glasses. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.

Paring Knife: This is a small, sharp kitchen knife with a narrow blade that’s used for peeling, trimming, and garnishing. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.

Highball Glass: This is a tall, slim glass that’s used for mixed drinks with a larger proportion of non-alcoholic mixers. I used the Libbey Kentfield Highball Glass.

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Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Golden brown color

• Aroma: Citrus and rosemary

• Taste: Slightly dry black tea along with effervescent lemon

• Finish: Lingering rosemary and Chartreuse botanicals

Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kendall’s Take: "I don't use tea in drinks often enough, in my opinion, and I plan to change that, especially after trying this boozy version of an already iconic recipe. Herbal Yellow Chartreuse and earthy tea are a match made in heaven, the sparkling lemonade adds a refreshing touch, and the evergreen notes are a welcome wintry addition. It all just works together really well, and even though I typically prefer a hot tea drink when the temperatures turn cold, the Wintertime Tea will be too delicious not to make again."

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Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season by Jessica Strand.