Have you ever had a cocktail in a teacup? After a bunch of us discussed it in the Comments on this post, I decided to give it a try. It was so much fun, I’m sure I’ll do it again!
(Remember – if you’re under 21, the cocktail in this post is not intended for you. Better stick to tea for another couple years!)
Choose Your Teacup
So the first thing to do of course, is pick out my teacup! I love this pretty pink and gold one.
In fact, I did a Teacup Tuesday with it back a while ago – click here to check it out. The saucer has a little secret too!
Cocktail in a Teacup Recipe
So then, I needed a recipe. I looked up a tea-based cocktail, and found one that called for Earl Grey vodka. I thought that would be perfect for a cocktail in a teacup, right?
2 ounces Earl Grey vodka
3 ounces Earl Grey tea
Half a lemon, juiced
1 ounce simple syrup
Fine sugar, for rim
Royal-Tea Cocktail by Mamrie Hart
Except I couldn’t find any Earl Grey vodka! I know I could have put some EG teabags in vodka and infused some myself. But as I was searching the shelves, I saw this lovely grapefruit vodka and my course changed!
Grapefruit & Earl Grey
I love grapefruit and I love Earl Grey! So, just like chocolate and peanut butter, (does anybody else remember the old Reese’s ad?) I put these two favorites together!
I’ve never heard of this brand of vodka before, but it sure was a beautiful color. Tasted pretty good too!
In The Produce Aisle
At the grocery store, I looked for a fresh red grapefruit. No luck. But since this was becoming the ever-evolving cocktail concept anyway, I just got a yellow one and called it good!
Then it was off to the fresh-herb case for some mint. Time was, I would have had some mint in my garden. But when we had our house painted a couple years back, our painter cleaned up a little too well!
Apparently he decided to “weed” for us. Which was awfully kind, but I do miss the mint.
ANYway,
Tea for Our Cocktail in a Teacup
When I got home from the store, I made a little pot of Earl Grey. I like it strong, so I put two tea bags in, and let it steep for a long time.
The 4 Cocktail in a Teacup Ingredients
Now I had all four of my ingredients. (I thought the vodka was sweet enough, so I left out the simple syrup.)
I’d love to say that I measured everything out. But I just poured what looked like the right amounts of vodka and tea into the ice-filled shaker!
Then a couple good squeezes of grapefruit juice, and shake!
Depending on your taste, you could certainly expand these ingredients. A little sugar or simple syrup, might be just right.
After a little shaking, I poured my cocktail into the teacup. And here comes the magic part.
Citrus Oil
I read up on garnishes, and found that the “twist” in the twist of lemon (or grapefruit in our case,) actually has a culinary reason.
Once the drink is ready, if you twist a strip of citrus rind over the top, it sprays a little oil out. It really adds the finishing touch to your cocktail! I can attest that it was very yummy!
Why Didn’t I Call My Son?!
I don’t really have much experience with mixed drinks, (I mean with making them!) My son however, is an actual real-life bartender!
Unfortunately I didn’t realize until afterward how much this might have helped me. I didn’t even notice the great big reminder on the vodka bottle!
I could have just called him up and asked him for a good recipe! Also, I could have asked him how to make the skinny piece of grapefruit rind!
The Twist
I got myself this lovely zester and channel knife, thinking it would be a cinch. It was a process, I must say, and I’m not overly thrilled with my results.
But at least I got a strip long enough to tie in a knot – that was my measure of success on cocktail day!
The Cocktail in a Teacup Party!
So at last the time had come! I had my cocktail in a teacup and my computer ready, then my friends came knocking on my virtual door.
We had so much fun – all of us with different cocktails in our cups!
Another Fun Cocktail in a Teacup
In fact, one set of guests had quite an interesting cocktail! It was a lovely – if unusual – color, and turned out to be purple gin garnished with a homemade dill pickle! We got a little tutorial.
Who would have thought you could learn so much over a video connection?
But, I guess all the kids are doing it now!
Thanks for Sharing!
Thanks so much for sharing our little cocktail in a teacup party! I had a ton of fun preparing for it. And I’ll definitely be experimenting with different recipes, now that I know what a blast it is!
Hope you get a chance for your own cocktail in a teacup party sometime soon. I bet you’ll love it!
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Pin The ‘Cocktail in a Teacup’ For Later
Wow, Barbara! This is so unique and sounds amazing!
Hi Marieza! It was pretty tasty, alright! Now onward to more cocktail creations. I’m working on one with raspberry in it, we’ll see how that goes! 🙂 Hope you’re closing in on those builtins of yours – good luck with the construction! I’m toasting with my teacup to your success!
Never have I ever… had a cocktail in a teacup. What a fun adventure as you creatively sourced ingredients and mixed a unique cocktail complete with a professional garnish and the most inspiring photos. Excellent post, Barbara! Tipping my teacup to you and wishing you a fun filled Memorial Day weekend.
Hi! Haha – I’d never had one before that either, but I’ve had many since! 😊 I’m still working on my cocktail skills, and I know to check with my son these days! Tipping my teacup back to you – hope you had a lovely Memorial Day too. That extra day is always so nice! Take care out there!
Barbara, oh I always love your posts! Your pictures are fabulous and how fun to create a new cocktail in such a pretty cup. I believe when the Traveling tea cup came to Bella Terra, I made a tea cocktail. I will need to look up the ingredients and make it again, however, your recipe sounds divine. Thanks for sharing…and how interesting the combination of the purple cocktail and pickle!
YES! You did make a teacup cocktail for Tessa Rose – it was lemon if I recall, and looked fabulous! And yes, that purple cocktail was pretty interesting! I’ll have to get them to make another one, now that I could actually go over there and taste it! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by – I always love to see you!
I love this Barbara. And your pics are so pretty!
Oh thank you, Kim! 😊 Here’s to a teacup cocktail and happy weekend, my friend!
This sounds amazing!
It’s really fun, plus get to use the teacups! 😊 Thanks so much for stopping over – hope you’re doing well!
One day away from my “Tea Party” whereby our guests will be enjoying a table of desserts and must drink their wine out of the tea cups. There will be no wine glasses available and protocol will be that everyone must lift their pinky fingers when they sip their wine. Very excited about this surprise party and will share pictures afterwards.
Yaay!! That’s going to be so fun, Arleen! And I bet your guests will just love it! 🙂 If you send me some pix via email, I’ll add them to the post. I totally can’t wait to see! Happy Wine Tea Party!
I love tea in my tea cups, and I have used tea cups for DIYs. You have taught me more fun with dessert and now a cocktail in a tea cup! Amazing friend – absolutely love it.
Chas! I’ve seen your teacup DIYs – you’re SO creative! There really are so many things to do with a teacup! 🙂 Have a good one out there!
How clever.
And what a gorgeous teacup set!
You take the prettiest pictures and Tuesday has become one of my very fav blog days of the week. Thank you for all the beauty, Barbara.
Thanks so much Michele! I know we share that love of a pretty teacup! 🙂 Love to see you here on Tuesdays, and take care till next time!
Barbara,
Wow! You never cease to amaze me. I like how you are very resourceful in changing up the recipe based on ingredients available. Since you live in the Pacific Northwest, you probably wouldn’t know that Ruby Red grapefruit ripens here in at the beginning of the year and through the spring. Hard to find a fresh one in late September. But how nice that you adapted with a white grapefruit. We grow both varieties and the white ones can be very sweet too! I am now dreaming about the cocktail that I will need to make in the traveling tea cup!!! As always, love reading your posts! So fun you were able to share this with your virtual friend group!
Oh I’m so jealous that you can grow grapefruit! When I lived in AZ I had a tiny little grapefruit tree, but I guess I forgot when they actually get ripe! 😉 I can’t wait to see what you and the teacup get up to, too! Hope you have a lovely day my friend!