Oolong Tea-Infused Vodka Recipe

Oolong tea lends a complex and sophisticated flavor profile to vodka in the oolong tea vodka recipe. Serve this oolong tea-infused vodka straight, mix it with simple syrup for a tea liqueur, or use it as a base for more complex tea cocktails.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 hours

Total Time: 15 hours, 10 minutes

Yield: Ten two-ounce servings

Ingredients:

* 750 mL neutral-tasting vodka (a.k.a. "a fifth")
* 6 level teaspoons good quality rolled oolong tealeaves or 9 lightly crushed teaspoons twisted or wiry oolong tealeaves (The tea can be flavored or unflavored, but unflavored tea vodkas usually have a better flavor profile for mixing.
* Simple syrup (optional, to taste. Recipe below)

Preparation:

1. Using a funnel, place the tealeaves into the bottle of vodka.
2. Replace the cap of the bottle and shake well.
3. Steep for about 15 hours, or to taste.
4. Pour the mixture through a strainer and funnel into a different bottle. (If you plan to add simple syrup, use a larger bottle.)
5. Discard the tealeaves. Add simple syrup to the remaining solution if desired.
6. Serve straight, on the rocks or as a base for more complex cocktails.

 

Simple (or sugar) syrup is, as the name implies, very simple to make and is an essential item to stock in any bar. You will find it in many mixed drinks including Mojitos, Daiquiris and Hurricanes.
This sweetener is primarily used as a substitute for raw sugar and adds rich volume, but can be made in a variety of ways. Making your own simple syrup is also more economical than buying it at the store. You can make as small or as large a batch as you wish and store it in the refrigerator in a well sealed bottle for around 6 months.

Rich Simple Syrup:
With this variation you can use less syrup than a cocktail calls for.

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
* 2 parts sugar
*1 part water
Preparation:
1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. Dissolve the sugar into the boiling water, stirring constantly. 3. Once the sugar is dissolved completely, remove the pan from the heat. (Note: Do not allow the syrup to boil for too long or the syrup will be too thick.)
4. Allow to cool completely and thicken, then bottle.

To prolong the shelf life of your simple syrup, add a little vodka - usually between a tablespoon and an ounce, depending on how large the batch of syrup is.
Bar Simple Syrup:
The easiest way to make simple syrup does not require a stove and can be made in minutes. Simply combine equal parts (1:1) sugar and water in a bottle and shake it until the sugar is completely dissolved. The result is a syrup that is thinner than rich simple syrup.