Tea Thyme SodaCocktail recipe
Rating
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Tea Thyme Soda sits in the highball-style family of long, sparkling whiskey drinks, built for easy sipping with a little extra depth from brewed tea and warm spice. Rather than leaning on a well-documented origin story, it reads like a modern, home-bar refresher: bourbon lengthened with soda, brightened with citrus, and given a soft, pantry-friendly sweetness. You’ll find it lands somewhere between a whiskey soda and an iced tea-inspired cooler, with a gently spiced edge.
On the palate, bourbon brings rounded sweetness and oak-driven richness, while lemon juice cuts through with clean, zesty acidity. Sugar smooths the sharper corners, turning the citrus into a more lemonade-like brightness. Tea adds a drying, tannic backbone that keeps the drink from tasting flat once it’s topped with soda water, and the cinnamon contributes a subtle, warming aromatic note that lingers behind the bubbles.
Serve it when you want something tall and refreshing but still unmistakably whiskey-forward—ideal for warm afternoons, casual get-togethers, or a lighter alternative to spirit-heavy sippers. If you enjoy bourbon with a bit of lift and a touch of spice, this one hits the sweet spot without feeling overly rich.
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Lowball / rocks glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Bourbon leads with caramel warmth, brightened by lemon juice, then stretched into a light, fizzy sip by soda water; brewed tea adds tannic dryness while cinnamon and sugar bring a spiced, sweet backbone. It works because the tea’s grip and lemon’s acidity keep the sugar from cloying as bubbles lift the bourbon, making it ideal for whiskey drinkers who want a long, refreshing pour with gentle spice.
Method
How to make a Tea Thyme Soda
- Bourbon 45ml, Lemon juice 15ml, Soda water 180ml, Tea 2 bags, Cinnamon Half stick, Sugar Half cup/100g
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- Make the syrup by combining water and sugar in a saucepan and then boil until the sugar has dissolved
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- Add black tea bags, a sprig of thyme and half a cinnamon stick and leave to steep
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- When the mixture has cooled, strain into a jug or container, squeezing as much liquid out of the tea bags as possible
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- Then, fill your glass with ice, and add the syrup, lemon juice and bourbon
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- Top with soda and stir
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- Garnish with thyme and serve
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FAQ's
Can I substitute the bourbon in Tea Thyme Soda with another type of alcohol?
Yes, you can substitute bourbon with another type of whiskey if you prefer a slightly different flavor profile. Rye whiskey, for instance, will give the cocktail a spicier edge. If you're looking for a non-whiskey alternative, dark rum can also complement the sweetness and the flavors of the tea and cinnamon quite nicely.
What are some garnish suggestions for Tea Thyme Soda to enhance its presentation?
For Tea Thyme Soda, consider garnishing with a lemon twist or a sprig of fresh thyme to emphasize the citrus and herbal notes of the cocktail. A cinnamon stick could also serve as both a garnish and a stirrer, adding to the drink's visual appeal and aromatic experience.
What is the best way to serve Tea Thyme Soda at a gathering?
Tea Thyme Soda is best served cold in a lowball glass, as recommended. To impress your guests at a gathering, consider pre-making the tea infusion with cinnamon and allowing it to chill before the event. Serve the cocktail over ice and garnish each glass just before serving to maintain the freshness and effervescence of the soda water.
How can I make a non-alcoholic version of the Tea Thyme Soda?
To create a non-alcoholic version of Tea Thyme Soda, simply omit the bourbon and increase the amount of black tea or consider adding a non-alcoholic bourbon alternative for flavor complexity. You could also experiment with adding a few drops of vanilla extract or almond extract to mimic the depth that bourbon adds to the drink.
In what season is Tea Thyme Soda best enjoyed?
Tea Thyme Soda's refreshing qualities and the presence of cinnamon make it a versatile cocktail that can be enjoyed year-round. However, its warm, spiced notes suggest it might be especially fitting during the transition from summer to autumn, where the weather begins to cool but there's still a desire for something refreshing.
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