The Green Teani
I begin each morning - usually very early - with a cup of jasmine green tea from the Grace Tea Company. It's light floral scent suits my break-of-day mood and whispers, not yells, for me to start my day. Coffee comes later, when I need a firmer hand to push me on my way.
And let's not forget the health benefits of green tea. It stumps me how something with such a lovely flavor can be so good for you. Green tea is loaded with powerful antioxidants like flavonoids and catechins. Studies show that green tea increases the body's ability to burn fat and can improve physical performance. (Have you seen the Chinese acrobats and contortionists at Cirque du Soleil? I'll bet they drink green tea with abandon.) Other studies have shown that the catechin compounds in green tea can also protect aging brains, lowering the risk of age-related diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Check out more health benefits of green tea here.
Jasmine Green Tea - a gentle way to start the day.
But, I digress. This is a cocktail post and cocktails it shall be.
On a magical night at one of my favorite restaurants in Portland - Empire Chinese Kitchen - my date and I ordered a martini made with oolong tea. It was, in a word, divine. Several weeks later on a whim I decided to create my own version with my beloved Before the Rain Jasmine Green Tea.
Picture courtesy of St. Germain
My version is simple - light with slight floral notes imparted by both the jasmine-infused tea and the addition of a splash of my favorite liqueur, St. Germain. This artisanal French liqueur is made from the hand-picked blossoms of elderflowers. It smells and tastes like springtime in the South of France. St. Gemain takes so many classic cocktails to delightful new heights. I encourage you to peruse their website and try some of their creations.
The Green Teani is surprisingly refreshing, the perfect cocktail to welcome the advent of a new season. It's like springtime in a glass.
Three simple ingredients to produce such a delightful drink!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz of your favorite Vodka
- 1 oz Jasmine Green Tea
- 1 splash St. Germain
Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and give it a good shake. Then shake a little more for good measure. Serve in your favorite martini glass with a twist of citrus or a few fresh raspberries.
#cheers #clink #weekend