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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.

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.

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! 

Earl Grey Martini Recipe

Upgrade your martini routine with an Earl Grey Martini! This sophisticated cocktail features an earl grey simple syrup that infuses gin with subtle tea notes, balanced by a squeeze of lemon juice for a refreshing twist.
Print Recipe
Prep Time:20 minutes
Total Time:20 minutes

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:

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.

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