This variation on a Bloody Mary is a wonderful vehicle for an earthy, smoky, Lapsang Souchong tea. Lapsang Souchong is smoked over pine needles and pine wood for a wonderful tarry, peaty smokiness reminiscent of a good Islay Single Malt Scotch.
The Smoky Tomato
This drink can be enjoyed without the alcohol as well. If you don't have Lapsang Souchong, a smoky Caravan style tea will also work.
Yield: 1 drink
Cost: $15
Equipment
- 1 Boston Shaker
- 1 Small Saucepan
- 1 Strainer
- 1 Cocktail muddler
Materials
- 2 ounces Lapsang Souchong steeped double strength.
- 3 ounces tomato juice V8 or other tomato/vegetable blend may be used as well
- 1 ounce chili tea syrup or to taste
- 1/2 each lime
- 3 dashes Angostera Bitters or to taste
- 5 each basil leaves good sized
- 1 pinch kosher salt optional
- 2 ounces vodka gin may be used if preferred
- 1 each chili pepper optional, for garnish
Chili Tea Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1.5 cups water
- 2 to 3 each chili peppers coarsely chopped
- 1 tablespoon green tea leaves sent works well
- 1 each lime wedge
Instructions
- Muddle 4 of the basil leaves with ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Squeeze in line and add 2 or 3 dashes of bitters, the tea syrup, tea, tomato juice and vodka or gin.
- Shake well, taste and adjust salt and chili syrup as desired.
- Strain over fresh ice and garnish with remaining basil leaf and a chili pepper.
Chili Tea Simple Syrup
- Place sugar, water and coarsely chopped peppers in a small saucepan. Squeeze in the lime.
- Bring to a boil and immediately turn down to simmer. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the green tea leaves and simmer for another 3 or 4 minutes.
- Remove from the heat. Allow to cool for around 10 minutes and strain through a fine sieve, pressing firmly on the solids with the back of a spoon or label to extract all of the syrup. Discard the solids and set syrup aside to cool completely.
Notes
Note: Double strength tea is made by steeping your tea leaves for the same time and temperature that you would normally use, but with twice the amount of tea leaves or tea bags. Double strength or even triple strength teas are very handy to have for blending with other ingredients so that the flavors are not lost behind secondary ingredients and ice.
