This Bourbon Tea Cocktail is a delightful blend of smooth bourbon and refreshing tea, perfect for a relaxing evening or a sophisticated gathering. The hint of lemon adds a zesty twist, while the simple syrup balances the flavors with a touch of sweetness.
While most of the ingredients for this Bourbon Tea Cocktail are common, you might need to ensure you have bourbon and simple syrup on hand. Bourbon is a type of whiskey that can be found in the liquor section, and simple syrup can either be purchased or easily made at home by dissolving sugar in water.

Ingredients For Bourbon Tea Cocktail
Bourbon: A type of American whiskey known for its rich, caramel flavor.
Tea: Brewed and chilled, it adds a refreshing base to the cocktail.
Simple syrup: A sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water, balancing the flavors.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed, it adds a zesty and tangy note.
Lemon slice: Used as a garnish, it enhances the presentation and adds a hint of citrus aroma.
Technique Tip for This Cocktail
When preparing this cocktail, ensure that the tea is properly chilled before adding it to the shaker. This prevents the ice from melting too quickly, which can dilute the flavors. Additionally, use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a brighter, more vibrant taste compared to bottled juice.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
bourbon - Substitute with dark rum: Dark rum provides a similar depth and warmth, making it a good alternative for bourbon in cocktails.
bourbon - Substitute with brandy: Brandy offers a rich, fruity flavor that can complement the other ingredients in the cocktail.
brewed tea - Substitute with iced coffee: Iced coffee can provide a similar refreshing quality with a different flavor profile.
brewed tea - Substitute with herbal tea: Herbal tea, such as chamomile or mint, can offer a unique twist while maintaining the tea base.
simple syrup - Substitute with honey syrup: Honey syrup adds a natural sweetness and a slight floral note to the cocktail.
simple syrup - Substitute with agave nectar: Agave nectar is a natural sweetener that dissolves easily and provides a mild, neutral sweetness.
freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar tartness and acidity, making it a suitable replacement for lemon juice.
freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar can add a tangy kick, though use sparingly as it is more potent.
lemon slice - Substitute with lime slice: A lime slice provides a similar visual appeal and a complementary citrus aroma.
lemon slice - Substitute with orange slice: An orange slice adds a touch of sweetness and a vibrant color to the garnish.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Cocktail
How to Store / Freeze This Cocktail
Ensure your bourbon tea cocktail is completely chilled before storing. This helps maintain its refreshing taste and prevents any dilution from melting ice.
Store the cocktail in an airtight container or a glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. This will keep it fresh and prevent any unwanted flavors from seeping in.
Place the container in the refrigerator. The bourbon tea cocktail can be stored for up to 3 days. Beyond this, the flavors may start to degrade.
If you want to freeze the cocktail, pour it into ice cube trays. This way, you can easily pop out a few cubes and enjoy a chilled drink without watering it down.
Once frozen, transfer the cocktail cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label it with the date to keep track of its freshness.
When ready to serve, simply place the frozen cubes in a glass and let them melt slightly, or blend them for a slushy version of the bourbon tea cocktail.
Always give the stored cocktail a good shake or stir before serving to ensure all the ingredients are well mixed.
For an added touch, you can freeze lemon slices or mint leaves in the ice cubes to enhance the presentation and flavor when serving.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Pour the bourbon tea cocktail into a small saucepan.
- Warm over low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
- Do not let it come to a boil, as this can alter the flavor of the bourbon and tea.
- Once warmed to your desired temperature, pour into a heatproof glass.
- Garnish with a fresh lemon slice and enjoy.
Alternatively:
- Pour the bourbon tea cocktail into a microwave-safe mug.
- Heat in the microwave on medium power for 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
- Continue until the cocktail is warmed to your liking.
- Garnish with a fresh lemon slice and serve.
Best Tools for Making This Cocktail
Cocktail shaker: Used to mix the bourbon, chilled tea, simple syrup, and lemon juice with ice to ensure the ingredients are well combined and chilled.
Ice: Essential for chilling the cocktail in the shaker and for filling the glass to keep the drink cold.
Strainer: Helps to strain the mixed cocktail into the glass, ensuring that the ice and any solid particles are left behind in the shaker.
Glass: The vessel in which the final cocktail is served. It should be filled with ice before pouring the strained mixture.
Jigger: A measuring tool used to accurately measure the bourbon, simple syrup, and lemon juice.
Lemon squeezer: Useful for extracting fresh lemon juice from the lemon.
Knife: Needed to slice the lemon for garnish.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for slicing the lemon.
How to Save Time on Making This Cocktail
Pre-brew the tea: Brew and chill the tea in advance to save time when making the cocktail.
Batch the simple syrup: Make a larger batch of simple syrup and store it in the fridge for future use.
Use fresh lemon juice: Squeeze lemon juice ahead of time and keep it in a sealed container.
Prepare garnishes: Slice the lemon for garnish in advance and store them in the fridge.
Organize your bar: Keep your bourbon and other ingredients easily accessible to streamline the process.

Bourbon Tea Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 4 oz Brewed tea, chilled
- 1 oz Simple syrup
- 0.5 oz Lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 slice Lemon for garnish
Instructions
- 1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- 2. Add bourbon, chilled tea, simple syrup, and lemon juice to the shaker.
- 3. Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
- 4. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- 5. Garnish with a lemon slice and serve.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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