When I flew to Italy a couple of weeks ago, I connected flights in London. I don’t particularly enjoy spending time at airports but Heathrow airport terminal 5 is different. There’s Fortnum and Mason there. 
Fortnum and Mason is an institution in London and in the UK with their curated gifts, elegantly old-fashioned tableware and accessories and gourmet food. They are royal purveyors and are known for their tea selection and afternoon tea service. So very British. Their tea caddies alone are to die for! You know me, I’m a compulsive tea buyer, this is heaven to me. I picked Queen Anne tea because I thought it would be a nice gift for my parents. And there you go, a compulsive tea buyer always needs an excuse to buy tea. This was mine, because I knew my parents wouldn’t mind sharing it with me! 
Queen Anne tea is a blend of TGFOP Assam and Ceylon FBOP. I had to make a cocktail with it. I mean, it screams sophisticated tea cocktail!
Brewing a cup of tea or creating something unique – food or beverage – by adding tea leaves to it is very special to me. It takes me back in time to when I was little and the simple process of adding leaves, herbs or grass to water meant crafting a magic potion with unlimited powers. It helps me reconnect with my inner child. This is what tea is about. Magic. And a lot of fun.

The Queen Anne tea cocktail

Ingredients for 1 serving:

1/4 cup (62.5 ml) black tea infused gin (see below for instructions)
1 teaspoon honey
1 1/2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoon Italian rhubarb liqueur
soda water (a splash)

Combine 1 cup and 1 tablespoon (250 ml) gin and 2 heaped teaspoons of Fortnum and Mason Queen Anne tea leaves. Stir and let steep overnight. Discard tea leaves. Stir honey and 1 1/2 teaspoons water in a small bowl and add to 1/4 cup (62.5 ml) tea-infused gin. Mix in lemon juice and rhubarb liqueur.
Fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour mixture into a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into prepared glass. Top with a splash of soda water. Garnish with a lemon wedge if you like.

Cheers!

Recipe inspired by Bon Appétit Rosa Mae cocktail.

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion. I was not asked nor paid to mention or review products or services that appear in this blog post. Please drink responsibly.