Floral, tart, and slightly bitter, this Jasmine Grapefruit Iced Tea is a lip-smacking alternative to your traditional iced tea recipes.
The elderflower cordial adds a touch of sweetness and a delicate blossom aroma that compliments the musky jasmine notes. Meanwhile, the bright and zesty grapefruit and lime bring a refreshing and invigorating quality to brighten the whole drink.
While soda water adds a nice spritz to the mocktail, it’s worth noting that still water can be used as an alternative without compromising on taste. This makes it a great option if you’re planning to prepare a large batch in advance.
Ingredients
- 3 oz. (90 ml) jasmine tea, cooled
- ½ oz. (15 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice (approx. ½ a lime)
- 1 oz. (30 ml) freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice (approx. ¼ a grapefruit)
- ½ oz. (15 ml) elderflower cordial
- 1 ½ oz. (45 ml) soda water or sparkling water
- Ice
To garnish:
- Slices of lime
- Slices of grapefruit
Equipment
- Kettle
- Mug
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Citrus juicer
- Cocktail spoon
- Highball glass
Instructions
- First, make the jasmine tea.
- Pour just-boiled (but not boiling) water over a jasmine tea bag and steep for 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bag and leave to cool to room temperature.
- Next, assemble the mocktail.
- Into a highball glass, add the cooled jasmine tea, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and elderflower cordial.
- Fill the glass with ice and top with soda water.
- Use a cocktail spoon to gently mix the ingredients together.
- Garnish with slices of lime and grapefruit.
Similar Mocktails
If you liked Tranquility, check out:
- Grapefruit Tea-licious: Grapefruit and Earl Grey Iced Tea
- Garden Party: Pear, Elderflower, and Cucumber Fizz
Jasmine Grapefruit Iced Tea FAQ
Why can’t I pour boiling water over the jasmine tea bag?
You should avoid pouring boiling water over any type of tea because the high temperature can scorch the tea leaves and result in a bitter taste. To extract the best flavor and aroma from your tea, it is recommended to use water that is just below boiling point, at around 175-195°F (80-90°C).
How long should I steep the jasmine tea?
To extract the most flavor from the tea without it getting too bitter, steep the jasmine tea for a maximum of 5 minutes.
Can I use loose-leaf jasmine tea instead of a tea bag?
Yes, you can use loose-leaf jasmine tea instead of a tea bag. Simply add 1 teaspoon (per 8 oz. of water) into a tea infuser and steep for 5 minutes. If you don’t have a tea infuser, you’ll need to strain the tea using a tea strainer or fine-mesh sieve to remove any solids before mixing the mocktail.
How do I cool the jasmine tea to room temperature?
You can allow the tea to sit at room temperature until it cools, or refrigerate for faster cooling.
What type of glass should I use for this recipe?
This recipe recommends a highball glass. However, you could serve the Jasmine Grapefruit Iced Tea in any glass that you prefer, like a tumbler or stemmed wine glass.
Can I use bottled lime and grapefruit juice?
Yes, you can use store-bought grapefruit and lime juice, but fresh-squeezed juice is recommended for the best flavor.
Can I substitute the elderflower cordial with another sweetener?
Yes, you can substitute the elderflower cordial with simple syrup (1:1 parts sugar and water), honey, agave nectar, or any other sweetener you like. However, you will lose some of the floral complexity of the drink.
Can I use a different type of tea for this recipe?
For a variation on this recipe, you could experiment with different types of tea. However, the primary flavor of the Jasmine Grapefruit Iced Tea is jasmine and substituting the tea would completely change the character of the drink.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, you can make the Jasmine Grapefruit Iced Tea up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate until you are ready to serve. Don’t add the soda water until you are ready to serve to prevent the drink from losing its fizz.
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