Southern Bourbon Peach Tea Cocktail

This Bourbon Peach Tea Cocktail is a sophisticated spin on Southern flavors. It marries the robust flavor of bourbon with the delicate notes of Earl Grey tea and the sweetness of ripe, juicy peaches. 

 

 

The Earl Grey peach bourbon cocktail is an ideal drink for summer gatherings, brunches, or any occasion that calls for a touch of sophistication.

 

Combining the aromatic bergamot in Earl Grey tea with the sweet juiciness of peaches and the smooth warmth of bourbon, this cocktail offers a unique flavor profile that's both refreshing and comforting.

 

Here are more drinks I think fall into the same category of beautiful brunch drinks you could try:

• Homemade Limoncello
• Lavender honey Bee's Knees
• Blackberry bourbon smash cocktail
• Grapefruit elderflower mimosa

 

And for more Southern peach recipes, make sure you also check out this brown sugar peach sorbet recipe.

 

Ingredients

 

• Earl Grey tea (cold brew) - Infuses the drink with aromatic notes of bergamot and a slight tannic bitterness.
• Peaches - whatever peaches you enjoy. I love a good, juicy Georgia peach, but Paraguay (flat) peaches or even nectarines are great options. Go for whatever you have and like!
• Water - to dilute the syrup so we don't eat chunks of peaches while enjoying our tea cocktail. 
• Brown sugar - the warmth of brown sugar is perfect with peaches. The vanilla notes make me feel like I'm stepping into a warm summer sunset. 
• Lemon juice - to brighten everything up, a zesty brightness to round out the flavors.
• Bourbon - the backbone of the cocktail, providing a rich, almost smoky flavor.
• Bergamot oil (optional) - if you love the bergamot flavors of Earl Grey, this takes it to a whole new level. But make sure you only use a tiny tiny amount! A little goes a long way, like 2 drops for the entire batch. 

 

 

 

Instructions

 

Because I highly recommend making a cold brew of Earl Grey tea, we need to start there. Mix 4 Earl Grey tea bags or 1 tablespoon of loose Earl Grey tea with 4 cups of cold water. Let this sit, covered, in the fridge for 10 hours. Then strain it. 

 

 

For the peach syrup blend peaches and water until smooth, then add to a medium saucepan along with the brown sugar. Bring it up to a simmer and simmer for 30 minutes. 

 

Let it cool and then strain. Add lemon juice to your taste. 

 

Now we're ready to make the cocktail. This can be made as a big batch with the entire peach syrup and iced tea, or you can make singular cocktails. 

 

• Batch: Add the Earl Grey iced tea to a large decanter with ice. Stir in the peach syrup and bourbon. Add 2 drops of bergamot oil and stir again. Garnish with slices of fresh peach.
• Single cocktail: To a cocktail glass with ice, add ½ cup iced tea, ¼-1/3 cup of peach syrup (or to taste), and 1 ½-2 ounces of bourbon. Stir to combine. Garnish with slices of peach. If you want the cocktail more light and aerated, shake it in a cocktail shaker with ice.

 

 

 

Substitutions

 

You can replace bourbon with rye whiskey for a spicier kick, or vodka for a neutral flavor. Use honey or agave syrup instead of simple syrup for a natural sweetener. And you can pretty much use this technique with any tea or fruit you like.

 

For more ideas, see below.

 

Variations

 

• Make it fresher: Use granulated sugar instead of brown sugar, then add fresh mint to the drinks.
• Make it spicier: Blend a jalapeño while blending the peaches for a spicier cocktail.
• Citrus blend: Substitute lemon juice with lime or orange juice for a different citrus flavor. Or better yet - make a blend of them all for an interesting mix!
• Instead of peaches: Try this with apricots, plums, or cherries. 
• Other teas: This technique can very well be used for a myriad of different cocktails. Here are some of my ideas: Green tea + citrus and vodka, white tea + guava (see this guava iced tea), and rum, rooibos + raspberries and bourbon. 

 

 

Equipment

 

• If you decide to shake it, you'll need a cocktail shaker for mixing the drink.
• Strainer to ensure a smooth, pulp-free cocktail.
• Blender or food processor to puree the peaches.
• Saucepan to prepare the simple syrup.

 

Storage

 

This cocktail is best enjoyed fresh. However, you can prepare the peach syrup in advance. The peach syrup can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. 

 

I have also frozen the finished cocktail in bottles (make sure you leave an inch of room for the liquid to expand). Thaw in the refrigerator, and enjoy!

 

 

Expert tips 

 

1. My number one tip for an excellent bourbon peach tea cocktail is to cold brew the tea.

   When tea leaves are boiled, the heat releases not only flavor but also tannins, which makes the tea slightly bitter.

   When there's no heat involved, the flavor thus becomes smoother, more delicate, and usually also sweeter.

2. Chill all ingredients before mixing to ensure the cocktail stays cold.
3. Use a high-quality bourbon for the best flavor. Here are the allegedly best bourbons of the year. 
4. Garnish with fresh peach slices or edible flowers for an elegant presentation.
5. Strain the puree to ensure a smoother cocktail. 

 

 

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