Sweet Tea Bourbon Cocktails
I’d smile at rum. Coy… but not really coy.
I’d say hello to vodka. I’d wave, and smile with teeth.
I’d totally make out with gin… tonic and lime everywhere.
But bourbon. I’d marry bourbon… as long as bourbon understands that I often stay up until 3 am writing silly blog posts, with a scarf on my head, a shaky leg, and post-it notes everywhere. But I have a feeling that bourbon understands me. I’m not too worried.
Little itty bitty kitchen peek.
What is pleasantly cropped out of this picture is my cat in the kitchen sink attacking the dirty kitchen sponge.
Livin’ classy.
I’m fairly certain that we’re approaching the time of year when it’s reasonable to drink uncanny amounts of sweetener in cold, black tea.
It seems only natural to add fresh mint, muddled orange and bourbon.
This cocktail is simple, uncomplicated, refreshing, easy to drink, and a really lovely celebration of mid-spring.
You know it’s going to be summer soon, right? There are short dresses and summer heels in my future. Oh man. I need tan lotion and tea.
Sweet Tea Bourbon Cocktail with fresh mint and orange
6 cups water
4 or 5 black tea bags
1/4 cup agave syrup (honey will do too)
1/4 to 1/2 cup bourbon (depending on how strong you want your cocktail)
4 to 6 sliced orange rounds
6 sprigs fresh mint
lots of ice
Bring water to a boil. Turn off water and add black tea bags. Steep tea for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags, place the tea in a large pitcher and let rest in the refrigerator until cold.
Place agave, bourbon, orange slices and fresh mint in a medium bowl. It the back of a spoon, begin to muddle (or press together) the ingredients. The oranges will release come juice, the mint will become fragrant, and the bourbon will tickle your nose. It’ll smell delicious. Once the mixture is pressed together, and the flavors are extracted, add the mixture to the pitcher of tea. Stir well. ((Feel free to strain the orange wedges and the mint leaves before pouring into the pitcher of tea, if you’d like.))
Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour sweet, boozy tea over ice. Enjoy. Drink it up.
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Oh My Goodness! That looks so good. I need to add oranges to my shopping list. Great recipe!
This looks amazing. Would it work with Jack Daniel’s or do I need to go buy some bourbon?
oh. my. pie. We just made these and sipped them on the terrace from my grandma’s vintage glasses. San Francisco had one of those so-pretty-it-hurts kind of days and this was just the capper. Thank you, Joy.
Hey Joy,
This is the second recipe I’ve seen that has agave syrup/nectar in the recipe. What exactly is it? Maybe it’s because I’m in Australia, but I’ve never even heard of it.
P.S Loving the blog – have lost several hours to it since finding it this morning. :-D
These sound amazing! I am actually making them as I type (waiting for the tea to cool).
Sam – Agave is a plant that tequila is made from actually. I’m sure you have it in Australia. It’s very similar to honey, in the sweetness and texture.
Ok, so, I’ve never had bourbon. I was looking something up and couldn’t remember the common brand name and instead of google I thought “I’ll just check Joy the Baker” :) Thanks for the info. Also, I will be trying it soon. Thanks for the inspiration.
I was just oogling your site & recipes and was hoping to find out where you found the stemware used in the photo? I just love the look of them! Hopefully they still make them somewhere!?
I’d love to post this to my blog, Whisky Business! I share your deep attachment of that smooth, southern nectar and can’t wait to pass it along to my readers! Thanks for this gorgeous recipe!
How long will this mix last for in the fridge? A few days? Thank you, sounds delicious
a week or so!
I so agree with marrying Bourbon. ;) But if you really want to fall in love with Bourbon try Woodford Reserve. It’s soooo smooth and the only bourbon to use in a mint julep. Can’t wait to try this drink, it sounds completely wonderful and very “Kentucky”! With the Derby coming up this weekend you need to get to some WR and some mint for a pitcher of tea and some juleps! Oh, and a big, pretty hat! Happy Derby Day!