Have you heard? Tea is this season’s magic ingredient for summer cocktails.

Tea Cocktails – and their alcohol-free alternatives Tea ‘Mocktails’ will complement the summer drinks menu and consumers will identify with a new healthy way to stay cool thus summer. Ideal as an aperitif, or a perfect partner for alfresco dining, these fruity cocktails will get your customers talking so why not make up a jug to share over a platter of tapas?

The London Tea Company has a range of great flavoured Fairtrade teas – all made from 100% certified organic ingredients, which can be used as a cocktail base. Simply add a mix of alcohol, fruit juices, herbs, flowers and mineral waters to brewed tea for a delicious, long drink. Let your taste buds run riot and tempt your customers with innovative, subtle blends such as Blackcurrant, Raspberry and Cinnamon; White Tea, Elderflower and Apricot or Lemongrass, Ginger and Citrus Fruits.

“The health benefits of tea are well documented and are a key driver in the increased popularity of tea amongst consumers. Foodservice operators need to keep apace with consumer demand and develop interesting new ways to introduce speciality teas onto the menu. An innovative Tea Cocktail menu is a great way to achieve this. Says Dan Bennett, head of food service for The London Tea Company.

“Tea can often be the secret ingredient in a cocktail, helping to highlight a taste or to create a link between different flavours.” Explains Dan. So why not try adding a touch of City cool to the drinks menu this summer with the following recipes:

City Menu

Tea cocktails

The May Fair
Ingredients:
1 oz Cognac
2 oz fresh brewed The London Tea Company Lemongrass, Ginger, Citrus Fruits
1/2 oz sugar
3 mint leaves
3 pieces ginger
extra mint leaf for garnish

Method:
In a tall glass mix together the ginger, mint and sugar
Add the Cognac and fresh tea and mix again
Strain into an ice filled glass.
Garnish with a mint leaf.

Pall Mall
Ingredients:
2 parts Gin
2 parts brewed and chilled London Tea Company Red Berries
Squeeze of lemon juice
Spoonful of sugar, to taste
Slices of lime to garnish

Method:
Pour the ingredients into a tall glass filled with ice.
Garnish with slices of lime.

Number 10
Ingredients:
1 oz orange liqueur
5 oz The London Tea Company Earl Grey Tea
1 tsp sugar, to taste

Method:
Combine ingredients in a heat-proof glass and sweeten to taste. Add a slice of orange, and serve.

City Mocktail Menu

The Soho
Ingredients:
The London Tea Company Pure Green Tea Tropical Detox
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup honey
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup fresh fruit, crushed
1 pint ginger ale

Method:
Make up tea as per instructions. Allow it to cool. Mix all ingredients except ginger ale. Just before serving add ginger ale and crushed ice. If the punch is too strong for your taste you can dilute with ice water or more ginger ale

Portobello
Ingredients
16 oz. Cranberry juice
6 oz. Lemonade concentrate
6 oz. Limeade concentrate
6 oz. Pineapple juice concentrate
6 oz. Orange juice concentrate
The London Tea Company Peppermint, Spearmint and Strawberry ice

Method
Make up the tea as per instructions. Mix together all ingredients and serve in punch bowl. Add water to dilute if preferred.

Pall Mall
Ingredients:
The London Tea Company English Breakfast Tea x 4 tea bags
1/2 cup (4 oz) sugar
1 cup (8 floz) water
1 stick cinnammon
6 whole cloves
3 cardamom pods (optional)
4 cups (32 floz) boiling water
juice of 1 large lemon and 2 oranges
ice cubes
iced water or soda water to taste
orange and lemon slices to decorate

Method:
1. Boil the sugar, water and spices for 5 mins, then remove from heat. Put the tea bags in a large pot and pour the boiling water over, leave for 5 mins.
2. Strain into large bowl, add the strained syrup and leave to cool. Stir in the strained lemon and orange juice, then add ice cubes and dilute with iced water or club soda to taste. Decorate with slices of orange or lemon.
Serves: 8-10

Once operators have made a decision to extend the drinks menu, then The London Tea Company is the natural partner. The company offers an extensive choice of blends including Lavender Camomile; Vanilla Chai; Red Berries; Lemongrass, Ginger and Citrus Fruits and Green Tea, Mango and Ginger as well as the more traditional English Breakfast, Earl Grey and Pure Green Tea.

Teas can be supplied in various formats including string and tag tea bags; envelope tea bags; pyramid sachets and loose leaf. All ingredients (the teas, the spices, the flowers, the herbs) are certified 100% organic and are packed at source to retain quality and freshness. With its attractive packaging and colourful point of sale material, the London Tea Company creates a stunning focal point or counter top display and tastes great too! A retail gifting range is also available.

For further information and free samples from London Tea’s extensive range of premium speciality teas, please tel: 0203 159 5480, email: info@londontea.co.uk or visit the website at www.londontea.co.uk