Steeped in a New Tradition.

Tea liqueurs are a growing trend in mixology, and Ted Kilgore has been at the forefront. In this recipe, Kilgore combines the strong herbal presence from Earl Grey tea with the sweet, light flavor of ripe blueberries. The result is a liqueur that can find a home in almost any cocktail, especially our Clearly Old Fashioned.

PREPARATION:

To get started, you’ll need: 6 oz. Everclear®, 7 oz. purified water, ¼ cup Earl Grey tea, 6 oz. fresh blueberries, and 13 oz. cooled, white simple syrup. If you don’t have any simple syrup on hand or would like to make your own, see our simple syrup instructions.

Once you have all your ingredients in order, mix the Earl Grey tea, Everclear® and water in a sealable, quart-sized container.

Once blended, seal and let steep from 30 to 90 minutes. Taste test every half hour to ensure it’s infused to your liking.

After the initial infusion is finished, remove the Earl Grey tea and then add blueberries. Seal the container and let steep in a cool, dry place for 24 hours.

Once the blueberries have infused to your liking, strain them out with a mesh strainer and coffee filter. Then combine the strained infusion with a 1:1 ratio of simple syrup (13 oz.) and stir.

Once fully blended, your Blueberry Earl Grey Liqueur is ready to bottle. Store in a cool, dark place, and enjoy.

BLUEBERRY EARL GREY LIQUEUR

Ingredients:
6 oz. Everclear®
7 oz. Purified water
¼ cup Earl Grey tea (or 3 bags)
6 oz. Fresh, ripe blueberries
13 oz. Simple syrup

Instructions:

  1. Blend Everclear®, water and tea in quart-sized container.
  2. Let steep for 30 to 90 minutes to taste.
  3. Once steeped, remove tea and add blueberries.
  4. Steep in a cool, dry place for 24 hours.
  5. Strain out blueberries and blend with simple syrup.
  6. Bottle, store and enjoy.
Prep: 2 min Steep: 25 hours
Yield: 24 oz.
Ted Kilgore

Make It Your Own’s in-house mixologist, Ted Kilgore, is a 17-year veteran of the bar and spirits world. Passing the B.A.R. with BAR Ready certification in 2007, he is now proprietor and Beverage Director at Planter’s House in St. Louis.