The Earl Grey Martini is a sophisticated twist on a classic that’s perfect for evenings that blur into twilight.

Close up of a crystal martini class with an earl grey infused martini and lemon twist.

Looking for a fun twist on a traditional martini?

The classic martini is a love letter to juniper. In all its bracing glory, gin takes center stage, leaving little room for subtlety.But what if you crave a martini with a touch of intrigue? A hint of something unexpected, like, well, tea time? Enter the Earl Grey Martini.

This martini is for the discerning martini drinker, the one who appreciates subtle floral notes, a whisper of bergamot that mingles with the distinctive flavor of gin. It’s a martini for those afternoons that blur into twilight when a little pick-me-up is desired, but elegance is non-negotiable. Think of it as Audrey Hepburn’s martini, a sophisticated twist on a classic, like a dry martini or a dirty smoked martini.

Watch 🎥: How to make this Earl Grey Martini Cocktail

Earl grey martini and cocktail shaker resting on a white table.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

CITRUS LOVERS DELIGHT – If you adore citrusy flavors, the Earl Grey Martini is your new best friend. The bergamot oil, a key ingredient in Earl Grey tea, infuses the drink with a subtle yet refreshing citrus aroma and taste that perfectly complements the botanical notes of the gin.
SOPHISTICATED SIP – Craving a classy after-dinner drink that feels elevated? The Earl Grey Martini delivers. With its unique flavor profile and elegant presentation in a chilled martini glass, this tea cocktail is a sophisticated twist on a classic cocktail, perfect for cozy evenings.

What You Need to Make an Earl Grey Martini

Earl Grey Tea Bags (for simple syrup): These brew a strong tea that gets turned into a simple syrup, adding a subtle citrus and floral bergamot flavor.
Boiling Water: This steeps the tea bags to extract all that delicious bergamot flavor we want in the simple syrup.
Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the simple syrup, balancing out the slightly bitter black tea and the tartness of the gin and lemon juice.
Earl Grey Simple Syrup: This homemade syrup is the key ingredient that infuses the martini with the unique Earl Grey taste.
Gin: This is the base of the martini, providing a strong juniper flavor that gets balanced by the other ingredients.
Fresh Lemon Juice: A splash of lemon juice adds a touch of tartness that cuts through the sweetness of the simple syrup and complements the botanicals in the gin.
Lemon Peel (Garnish): A twist of lemon peel adds a refreshing citrus aroma and a pop of color to your martini.

How to Make an Earl Grey Martini

To make the simple syrup, add the tea bags to a large mug or bowl with the boiling water.
Allow the tea to steep for about 10 minutes, and then remove the tea bags.
Add the tea and sugar to a saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Store the sugar syrup in a glass jar.
Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled.
Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Earl grey simple syrup being added to a cockatil shaker.

Expert Martini Cocktail Tips

Since gin is the main player in this martini, choose a good one! A botanical gin with floral or citrus notes will complement the Earl Grey flavors beautifully. We are currently crushing on Hendricks Midsummer Solstice.
A lemon twist is classic, but don’t be afraid to experiment! A sprig of fresh lavender adds a touch of floral elegance, or a single bergamot peel offers an intense citrus punch.

Crystal glass filled with this martini recipe casting a long shadow on a white table.

How to Serve This Cocktail

This Earl Grey Martini is perfect as a sophisticated pre-dinner drink with appetizers or a refreshing evening cocktail. Strain it into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a twist of lemon peel for an elegant presentation.

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The Perfect Gin Sling

This Earl Grey Martini is for the grown-up you, the one who appreciates a touch of intrigue, a hint of citrus that lingers on the palate long after the last sip. If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment down below to help out the next reader!

Prep Time:20

Total Time:20

Equipment

cocktail shaker
Strainer
mug or bowl
Saucepan
Stirring spoon
glass jar
martini glass

Ingredients

For the earl grey simple syrup

2-3 earl grey tea bags
1 cup boiling water
1 granulated sugar

For the cocktail

1 oz earl grey simple syrup
2 oz gin
½ oz lemon juice
Lemon peel for garnish

Instructions

For the earl grey simple syrup

Add the tea bags to a large mug or bowl with the boiling water.
Allow the tea to steep for about 10 minutes then remove the tea bags.
Add the tea and sugar to a saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Store in a glass jar.

For the cocktail

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled.
Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Video

Servings: 1

Calories: 214kcal

Recipe FAQs

You can use Earl Grey-infused gin or vodka if you prefer. Here are some options:

Earl Grey and Sage Gin from Knightly Spirits
Bergamot Orange Vodka from Square One
Earl Grey Vodka from Beacon Vodka

Sure! Vodka is a neutral spirit that can work in a pinch. However, you’ll lose the botanical complexity that gin brings to the party.

This martini is a great partner for lighter appetizers or finger foods. Think smoked cream cheese with smoked salmon, a Bloody Mary shrimp cocktail, or even a charcuterie board with some smoked brie or slow cooker goat cheese fondue.

Yes! If you have a tea infuser, you can use loose leaf instead.

Earl Grey tea is way cooler than it gets credit for. This black tea gets its name from Charles Grey, a British Prime Minister, who reigned during the 1800s. But how this tea came about is a bit of a head-scratcher. Some tales say it was a fancy gift, others that it was just a clever way to mask the taste of their not-so-great tap water. There’s even a story about Chinese diplomats being super grateful for a trade deal and whipping up this special brew.

The truth? We might never know for sure. But one thing’s for certain: Earl Grey tea has stuck around for a reason. It’s sophisticated, delicious, and a conversation starter (especially when you bring up the whole mystery behind it).

An Earl Grey Martini is a twist on the classic martini. Instead of just gin and vermouth, it adds a homemade or store-bought Earl Grey tea simple syrup for a subtle citrus and floral twist that complements the gin’s botanical flavors.