If you love Earl Grey tea, you know how refreshing and aromatic it is. But did you know that you can make it even more delicious by adding some lemonade? Earl Grey lemonade is a simple and easy drink that combines the citrusy and floral notes of Earl Grey tea with the tangy and sweet taste of lemonade. It’s the perfect drink for a hot summer day, or any day you need a boost of energy and flavor.
Brief History of Earl Grey
Earl Grey tea is named after Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl of Grey, who was the British Prime Minister in the 1830s. He supposedly received a gift of tea flavored with bergamot oil, a citrus orange fruit from Italy, and liked it so much that he asked for more. In fact, the first Earl Grey tea was invented by Twinnings in 1831 (you can still buy it today!). Since then, Earl Grey tea has become one of the most popular teas in the world, and is often enjoyed with milk and sugar. So grab a cup of Twinnings Earl Grey for an authentic experience!
Earl Grey Lemonade
Whilst Earl Grey tea is great on its own, it’s also great with other ingredients that enhance its flavor. One of my favorite ingredients to use is lemonade, which adds a refreshing and zesty twist to the tea. In particular, I like to use fizzy lemonade to give the iced Earl Grey a refreshing kick, similar to the Arnold Palmer Sweet Tea & Lemonade drink. However, you can also make your own fresh lemonade too, if you prefer. As an additional extra, I also like to add a splash of orange juice to emphasise the orange and bergamot flavor. Earl Grey lemonade is easy to make at home, and you can customize it to your liking. Here’s what you need to make it:
Ingredients:
- 4 Earl Grey tea bags or 4 teaspoons of loose leaf Earl Grey tea
- 4 cups of water
- 1/4 cup of sugar or honey (or more or less to taste)
- For fresh lemonade – 4 lemons, juiced (or about 1 cup of lemon juice)
- For Fizzy lemonade – a bottle/can of lemonade
- Optional add-ins: a splash of orange juice, some mint leaves, some lavender buds, orange slices, or some ginger slices
Equipment:
- A kettle or a pot to boil water
- A pitcher or a large jar to store the drink
- A measuring cup and a spoon
- A strainer or a cheesecloth to filter the tea
- A knife and a juicer to squeeze the lemons
Method 1: Using Fizzy Lemonade
- Boil 4 cups of water in a kettle or a pot. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and add the Earl Grey tea bags or loose leaf tea. Let the tea steep for about 5 minutes, or longer if you like a stronger flavor.
- Strain the tea into a large pitcher or jar. Discard the tea bags or leaves. You should have about 4 cups of Earl Grey tea.
- Refrigerate the Earl Grey tea until chilled, or at least 2 hours. You can also chill it faster by adding some ice cubes, but this will dilute the flavor a bit.
- When you are ready to serve, pour the chilled Earl Grey tea into glasses, filling them about halfway. Then, top them up with some fizzy lemonade of your choice. You can use a store-bought or homemade fizzy lemonade, as long as it is cold and bubbly.
- Stir gently to combine the tea and lemonade. Garnish with some lemon slices, a splash or orange juice to complement the bergamot flavour, or more of your optional add-ins.
This method is faster and easier than making your own fresh lemonade (method 2). Plus, it gives you that refreshing fizzy kick! However, you may lose some of the freshness and flavor of the lemons, and you may end up with a sweeter and more carbonated drink. You can adjust the ratio of tea and lemonade to your liking, depending on how strong and fizzy you want your Earl Grey lemonade to be. Enjoy!
Method 2: Using Fresh Lemonade
- Boil 4 cups of water in a kettle or a pot. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and add the Earl Grey tea bags or loose leaf tea. Let the tea steep for about 5 minutes, or longer if you like a stronger flavor.
- While the tea is steeping, make the lemonade. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar or honey with 1/4 cup of water and stir until dissolved. This is your simple syrup, which will sweeten the drink. You can also add some of your optional add-ins, such as orange juice, mint, lavender, or ginger, to infuse some extra flavor into the syrup.
- In a large pitcher or jar, pour the lemon juice and the simple syrup. Stir well to combine. You can adjust the sweetness and tartness of the lemonade by adding more or less sugar or lemon juice.
- Strain the tea into the pitcher or jar with the lemonade. Discard the tea bags or leaves. Stir well to mix the tea and lemonade. You should have about 6 cups of Earl Grey lemonade.
- Refrigerate the Earl Grey lemonade until chilled, or at least 2 hours. You can also chill it faster by adding some ice cubes, but this will dilute the flavor a bit.
- Enjoy your iced Earl Grey lemonade! You can serve it over ice, and garnish it with some lemon slices, orange slices, or more of your optional add-ins.
Variations of Earl Grey Lemonade
You can make your Earl Grey lemonade more interesting by trying some of these variations:
- Sugar-free: If you want to avoid sugar, you can use a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit, or skip the sweetener altogether and enjoy the natural sweetness of the tea and lemon juice. Additionally, you can use sugar-free fizzy lemonade, or sparkling lemonade.
- Caffeine-free: If you are sensitive to caffeine, you can use decaffeinated Earl Grey tea, or substitute it with another herbal tea that has a citrusy flavor, such as lemon balm, lemon verbena, or lemongrass.
- Earl Grey Lemonade with Ginger: Add some fresh ginger slices to the simple syrup or the tea for a spicy kick. Ginger can also help with digestion and nausea.
- Earl Grey Lemonade with Lavender: Add some dried lavender buds to the tea or the simple syrup for a floral and relaxing touch. Lavender can also help with stress and insomnia.
- Earl Grey Lemonade with Mint: Add some fresh mint leaves to the lemonade or the tea for a cooling and refreshing effect. Mint can also help with bad breath and headaches.
Pairing Suggestions
Earl Grey lemonade is a versatile drink that can go well with many foods. Here are some suggestions for what to pair it with:
- Sandwiches: Earl Grey lemonade is a great accompaniment to a classic afternoon tea sandwich, such as cucumber, egg salad, or ham and cheese. You can also try it with a more hearty sandwich, such as a BLT, a chicken salad, or a roast beef.
- Salads: Earl Grey lemonade can complement the freshness and crunchiness of a salad, such as a green salad, a fruit salad, or a pasta salad. You can also add some cheese, nuts, or seeds to your salad for some extra protein and flavor.
- Desserts: Earl Grey lemonade can balance the sweetness and richness of a dessert, such as a cake, a pie, or a cookie. You can also try it with a more light and refreshing dessert, such as a sorbet, a pudding, or a fruit tart.
Health Benefits
Earl Grey lemonade is not only delicious, but also has some benefits. Here are some of the health benefits of Earl Grey tea and lemons:
- Earl Grey tea contains antioxidants, which can protect your cells from damage and inflammation. It also contains caffeine, which can boost your energy and alertness.
- Earl Grey tea also contains bergamot oil, which can have various benefits, such as lowering cholesterol, improving mood, and fighting infections.
- Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which can support your immune system and skin health. They also contain citric acid, which can aid digestion and detoxification.
Conclusion
Earl Grey lemonade is a refreshing and easy drink that you can make at home with just a few ingredients. It’s a great way to enjoy the flavor and benefits of Earl Grey tea and lemons, and you can customize it to your liking. Whether you drink it hot or cold, plain or spiked, Earl Grey lemonade is a drink that will keep you hydrated and happy.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe article and learned something new. If you try this Earl Grey lemonade, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I would love to hear your feedback and suggestions. And don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family who love tea and lemonade!
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