We’re right in the spirit of things here at Batch HQ. And that means we’re cracking on with the party cocktails.
In case incredible tea just isn’t enough, here’s how you can mix yours up a little (literally…)
So on tonight’s menu are 2 of our favourites, both rich in festive spices to get the juices flowing:
- ChaiRusski – a Sticky Chai Infused Vodka White Russian style cocktail
- Mulled Tea – a spiced gin tea cocktail, delicious hot or cold
ChaiRusski Chai Infused Vodka Christmas Cocktail
We just love this one. The classic White Russian cocktail pretty much got Marc through uni many moons ago. Although somewhat of an excess also almost put Marc out of uni during said moons. That’s what happens when you model yourself on The Dude.
So it’s only right, fair and lots of other things that we pay homage to the White Russian now we’re grown up enough to do it sensibly.
Oh yeah, we like it strong! Feel free to play with the quantities…
What You’ll Need
- 50ml Kama Sutra Sticky Chai infused Vodka (We use Russian Standard vodka at 10g Sticky Chai per 100ml Vodka)
- 10ml Teichenne Chocolate Liqueur or other chocolate schapps (if you can’t find chocolate schnapps you can just sweeten it a little with simple syrup if required)
- 50ml Full Fat Milk
- 25ml Single Cream
- Ice
- Chocolate Shavings (optional)
- Tumbler glass
- Non-plastic drinking straw
What To Do
To make the Kama Sutra Sticky Chai infused Vodka 
- Measure out 10g Kama Sutra Sticky Chai per 100ml Vodka and add to the vodka – You can do this in a jar with a lid or add the Chai to the bottle and replace the lid
- Leave to infuse for minimum 24 hours with the lid on
To make the ChaiRussky Cocktail
- Over ice add the infused vodka and chocolate liqueur
- Pour in the full fat milk & cream
- Stir the ingredients to mix
- Garnish with shaved chocolate and add a straw
- Watch The Big Lebowski & enjoy.
The Dude abides.
Mulled Tea Festive Cocktail
Perfect as a hot winter warmer or refreshing over ice, this spiced tea & gin cocktail is enough to impress even the scroogiest guest.
What You’ll Need
- 35ml London Dry style Gin (we’re fans of True North’s Sheffield Dry Gin)
- 10ml Cointreau
- 100ml steeped black tea (We use Absolute Assam single origin black tea at 10g tea / litre)
- Simple Sugar Syrup to taste (or add sugar to the warm liquid)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 ribbon orange peel
- 1 Star Anise & orange peel ribbon to garnish
- Mug / Heat-proof jar or Hi-ball / Collins glass
- Ice (if serving cold)
What To Do
If you’re enjoying this cold over ice, you’ll need to prepare the tea mix further in advance. You can do it earlier in the day or even the day before and bottle it in the fridge once it’s cooled to room temperature.
Making the tea mix
- Add Absolute Assam to some form of receptacle (pan / Kilner bottle / mug / jug) and pour over the desired amount of freshly boiled water
- Add cinnamon stick, cloves and orange peel to the infusion
- Stir to mix then leave to infuse for at least half an hour, but ideally a few hours
Making the cocktail
If you’re having your mulled tea hot:
- Heat the liquid back up, add your gin, cointreau and simple syrup to taste
- Pour into a mug or heat proof jar
- Garnish with star anise and orange peel ribbon
- Stick “Last Christmas” by Wham on & sing the night away
If you’re having your cocktail over ice:
- Wait until the liquid has cooled, then build the drink over ice. Start with the gin, then stir in the Cointreau, tea infusion and simple syrup
- Garnish with star anise, orange peel ribbon & serve with a straw
- Take photos & post to Instagram using hashtag #BatchTeaBar
Got any comments? We’d love to hear them. Leave our feedback in the comments section below.