I've had a deep love for herbs for many years. During the cold months, I sip only hot herbal teas. My garden is filled with lemon balm, thyme, and rosemary – and I use it all often.
And if I'm being honest, I've had a love for cocktails for even longer than herbs. The two came together several years ago when I began a journey of gin – when I fell in love with tasting gins to learn to distinguish herbal profiles.
So when I found out that gin is akin to herbed vodka (this is a gross simplification, but they are similar), I became obsessed with the idea of creating herb-infused vodka for cocktails.
It's my pleasure to bring together so many things that I love as I share this recipe with you, which I hope begins for you an exploration of creating herb- and tea-infused vodkas (and other spirits) for bringing new life to the most simple cocktails.
Autumn Tea-Infused Vodka
Ingredients:
1 cup of vodka*
3 T Mother Tree's Soften Herbal Tea
Instructions:
Pour vodka into a jar or decanter. Add tea and cover with lid. Let steep for 5-7 days.
*I'm not convinced of a need for fancy vodka [ever]. I used Smirnoff.
The above infusion creates a beautiful, floral-flavored vodka. The chamomile and rose of our Soften Herbal Tea steal the show, making a vodka that stands easily on its own.
But when crafted into a simple cocktail, it really sings. Here I'll share the basic recipe for a vodka tonic, where the infused vodka really elevates the flavor to a cocktail that feels far more complex, and completely appropriate for the season.
Autumn Vodka Tonic
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Autumn tea-infused vodka (recipe above)
1 ice cube
3 oz tonic water
lemon twist (optional)
Instructions:
Strain the Autumn tea-infused vodka into a shaker. Toss in ice cube and swirl until condensation gathers on the outside of the shaker and vodka is cold. Pour into a glass and top with tonic water. Garnish with the lemon twist.
I hope this cocktail encourages you to make new use of your favorite tea blends and embrace the simplest cocktails. And if you try this recipe with our Soften Herbal Tea blend, please share it on Instagram with #almanacsupplyco.
Cheers!
Emily is the co-founder of Almanac Supply Co., where she loves curating products for Nature Lovers and crafting content to help folks connect with nature. Her favorite season is Summer, when she can visit her favorite creeks and spend long days on her front porch.
