Thirsty Thursday: Earl Grey Spritzer

By: Kelsey Vala

It’s more than just alliteration; it’s a statement, a proclamation that Thursdays are when the weekend should really start. Kicking it off right is the key, and what better way than with a cocktail that not only takes the edge off, but tastes good too. A hard thing to disagree with, we know. Drink up, get down and go to sleep happy.

Tea time meets happy hour in this mild and well-balanced Earl Grey Spritzer. Naturally light and refreshing, this cocktail isn't ready to give up on the still-warm summer air even as it slowly fades into autumn.

Start by steeping Earl Grey tea bags in homemade simple syrup and allow the mild bitterness of the tea to be fully infused in the sweet mixture. Then spoon this Early Grey simple syrup into tall glasses and top with chilled Champagne or sparkling wine. Cool, crisp and bubbly, this is the kind of cocktail we image you to have at a brunch fit for a queen.

Bottoms up, folks.

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 Earl Grey tea bags
  • Champagne or sparkling wine, very cold
  • 2 thin lemon slices

Directions:

Dissolve the sugar in 1 cup water and bring to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture turns syrupy, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Place the tea bags in the saucepan and let the mixture come to room temperature. Refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours. (Syrup will keep up to one month stored in the refrigerator in a container with a tight fitting lid.) 

Spoon 3 tablespoons of the cold Earl Grey simple syrup into each Champagne flute. Garnish with a thin slice of lemon.

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