Ginger-Lemongrass Bourbon Iced Tea
It’s finally Friday! I hope you’re thirsty š
I’m not really sure these could get more Southern. Sweet iced tea and bourbon? I really should have served these in mason jars, but I just got these glasses and was excited to use them.
These would be my first wine glasses. What did I drink wine out of before?, you may wonder… Good question. I would have people over and serve them wine in a tumbler. I’m not even kidding. I’m just that classy. These were like $12 at Fred Meyer for 4, so I thought I really didn’t have any excuse not to buy them.
So this cocktail…it’s kind of totally awesome. It’s delicious and really easy to make. Just brew up your favorite black tea for iced tea (I use the Starbuck’s Tazo black tea that’s specifically for iced tea), have some bourbon on hand, and make a really easy simple syrup. Simple syrups are just that…simple. All you have to do is add equal parts water and sugar to a saucepan and simmer for like 10-15 minutes. If you want to flavor it, add in your flavorings with the water and sugar. For this one, I used ginger and lemongrass because those flavors are refreshing to me, and I wanted to go with a cocktail that would be perfect for a sunny Spring day.
This really makes me wish I had a front porch with a rocking chair to enjoy this, but the picnic table in park across the street worked almost as well š
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 to 2 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1 lemongrass stalk (white portion only), chopped
- ice
- 1/4 cup (2 ounces) bourbon
- 2 to 4 tbsp ginger-lemongrass syrup, depending on tastes
- iced black tea
- lemongrass stalk (optional)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine all of the ingredients and bring to a a simmer over medium-low heat.
- Simmer for 15 minutes until fragrant and the sugar is dissolved.
- Strain the simple syrup through a fine mesh sieve. Allow to cool.
for each cocktail:
- Fill a glass with ice. Pour in the bourbon followed by the simple syrup. Fill the remainder with the iced black tea and add in a lemongrass stalk to use as a swizzle stick.
Are Southern cocktails your thang? Try this one next!
This looks great. Why not rum?
I'm afraid I don't understand the question… Why *would* I use rum, here????
Just did this with mint instead of ginger because a) I have a mint plant and b) I'm not the world's biggest ginger fan.
Turned out amazing! Thanks for the idea and recipe.
I bet mint would be amazing as well! YUM! So glad you liked it š