When it comes to a hot summer day, nothing says refreshing like an icy sweet tea in the shade. Unless, of course, we can we elevate this experience in the form of a cocktail.

Luckily for us (and you) we certainly can, courtesy of David “Mr. Mojito” Nepove, master mixologist and president of the U.S. Bartenders Guild (USBG), who shows us how it’s done. For this hard tea recipe, David ditches the usual bourbon or cognac and creates a vodka-infused, light-and-citrusy crowd-pleaser. It’s easily made in large batches and becomes an instant “serve yourself” punch that’s perfect for a brunch or any gathering on a sweltering August day. “Hard tea is classically made with dark spirits, which I love,” says David. “But good a vodka (David uses Effen here) creates a bright, refreshing cocktail that is pleasing to most palettes. So when you are looking to serve guests a refreshing cocktail, it’s an easy choice.”

The drink itself is basically fresh black and orange tea infused with sugar, mixed with fresh lemon juice, orange liqueur, and a good quality orange marmalade, providing a bitter note to balance out the sweetness. David also points out that once you have these proportions down, it is a breeze to swap out different complimenting flavors. “For a different spin you can replace the orange flavors for raspberry or even try oolong or darjeeling tea with some cucumber and mint. At the end of the day, it all comes down to balance,” he says.

And for us here at Guy Gourmet, it is all about enjoying good things with good people, so remember to make the best of these lazy summer days. Enjoy!

 

Via: Happy Hour Hard & Sweet Tea