The holiday season is almost upon us, and we love this time of year that is filled with gifts and delicious treats. But the most delightful is cozying up by the fire or enjoying holiday festivities with the best Earl Grey tea in Australia.

Earl Grey tea ingredients are mainly a combination of single-origin black tea infused with oil from the peel of bergamot oranges. Combined, it highlights a bright and complex brew with a subtle aroma and deep flavour. As a result of the traditional process used to create black tea blended with the fragrance of citrus, this is one of the favourite teas served all around the world.

How to enjoy Earl Grey tea during the holidays

You can brew a cup and enjoy sip by sip whilst decorating the house or wrapping Christmas gifts. 

Include these tea flavours into your afternoon tea spread or serve them up at your family holiday tea or dinner party. Brew them in a teapot with orange peels and a touch of sweetener to take the flavour up a notch. 

These are also excellent gifts for people who love or have teas on their wish list for Santa this year. 

Include Earl Grey tea in your holiday food recipes. Hint - Earl Grey tea cookies and cake are delicious. Why not spice up your hot chocolate by adding this tea into the mix? Yum!

Discover our range of Earl Grey teas

• Supreme Earl Grey - Our Supreme Earl Grey combines whole leaf black tea, marigold flowers, lemon peel & cold press bergamot oil for a beautifully balanced traditional Earl Grey with a twist of citrus.

• French Earl Grey - Let the French superlatives flow with every sip of this magnificent, rich blend. An Earl Grey with a twist. Put the bon into bonjour every morning with this tea that is aptly described as a ‘melody of fruit’. Typically, gallic – deep and complex, comprising of whole leaf black tea, rosehip, pineapple pieces, mango pieces, marigold, rose petals, cold press bergamot oil, passion fruit, soursop, and strawberry flavour. Best enjoyed whilst wearing a beret.

• Cream of Earl Grey - Here’s a twist on a regal classic. Delicately blends single origin white tea with the classic natural flavours of Earl Grey for a tea that delivers hints of vanilla with subtle hues of bergamot. If you’re hosting a high tea this is the tea to impress. An Earl Grey tea that doesn’t need milk and perfect for an after dinner relaxing treat.

Brewing a perfect cup of Earl Grey tea

• For the best flavour always use fresh, filtered, low mineral cold water. Never reboil the water as it loses oxygen and becomes flat.
• Water temperature has a profound impact on infusion quality, so brewing to the correct temperature will make sure you extract the optimum flavour of this tea at 99C.
• Steeping time is very much a matter of taste when it comes to Earl Grey. Most tea connoisseurs steep their tea at 2-4mins.
• Exact measurements will vary depending on how strong you like your tea, how large your favorite cup is, and how many cups your teapot holds. For loose tea, we recommend one and a half teaspoon per eight-ounce cup.
• Enjoy it with lemon or milk or savour the natural flavour and color straight from the pot.

Earl Grey tea benefits

A cup can boost your overall health. Here’s a breakdown of earl grey tea benefits. 

• Energy booster - Earl Grey features a caffeine boost like coffee without some side effects. Caffeine levels in tea are lower and can perk you up and keep you active throughout the day. 

• Improves Immunity – A key ingredient in Earl grey tea is bergamot. It has become recognized as having many health benefits. While it adds that delicious citrusy flavour to the tea, it also has antibacterial properties that give your immune system a boost. This tea is an ideal cold remedy. 

• Boosts metabolism - Citrus has always been believed to encourage weight loss and combined with the polyphenols in the tea will increase your metabolism to quicken the weight-loss process. Next time you enjoy a cuppa Earl Grey, try adding lemon for a great taste and benefit to your body!

• Improves digestion - It helps protect your gut health and support the digestion process. And if you need more reasons to drink Earl Grey, these same ingredients have natural anti-inflammatory qualities that can help relieve constipation and acid reflux.

Celebrate the holidays with Earl Grey tea

Bold in flavour. Rich in holiday spirit. There’s an Earl Grey for everybody. Take a moment to sit down, relax and enjoy one of our aromatic and flavourful Earl Grey teas.

 

 

If you ask a room full of people what they want for dessert someone is bound to shout “Tiramisu”.
Tiramisu is an Italian dessert consisting of coffee dipped lady fingers layered with mascarpone cheese and powdered chocolate.

We decided to give this classic recipe a little Tea Drop twist by switching out the coffee with our very own Tea Drop Matcha. By adding matcha to the mix you unlock a whole new dimension of versatile flavour, leaving a lingering sweetness in your mouth after every bite. Not to forget matcha is packed full of antioxidants and is a great coffee replacement as it gives you clean energy without the coffee crash!

What you need:

• 6 large egg yolks
• 170g brown sugar
• 450g mascarpone cheese
• 235ml heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons Tea Drop Matcha Latte and a little extra for sifting
• 4 tablespoons Kithul treacle 
• 350ml water
• 24-30 ladyfingers

 How to make the tiramisu cream:

1. In a medium saucepan whisk 6 egg yolks until they are slightly lighter in color. Add 170g brown sugar while continuing to whisk the yolks until thick and creamy.
2. Place saucepan over a double boiler and let it steam and keep whisking till soft peaks form.
3. In a sperate bowl whisk 450g of mascarpone till it’s smooth.
4. Now combine that with egg yolk/sugar mixture and fold together. (make sure there are no lumps)
5. In a separate bowl whisk the heavy cream but not too hard because we don’t want the cream to get too thick, we want it to be nice and fluffy.
6. Now combine that with the mascarpone and fold together.

Assembly:

1. Add 2 tablespoons of matcha and 4 tablespoons of kithul treacle to baking pan with 350ml of hot water.
2. Whisk the tea in a back-and-forth motion until the surface of the matcha becomes frothy.
3. Dunk lady fingers into matcha mixture (not for too long as it may fall apart very quickly) and line them up in a separate baking pan evenly,  so the bottom is covered.
4. Once the bottom is filled add half of the tiramisu cream on top.
5. Now arrange another layer of matcha dipped lady fingers on top and add remaining tiramisu cream on top.

As the temperatures start to rise, many of us look for ways to stay cool and refreshed. One of the best ways to do so is by sipping on a glass of iced tea. Iced tea is a classic summer drink that has been around for generations. However, there are so many different types of tea to choose from, and it can be challenging to know which one is the best for making iced tea. In this article, we will share with you the best tea for iced tea, how to infuse them, and some delicious recipes to try out.

What is Iced Tea

Iced tea is a refreshing and flavourful drink that is perfect for hot summer days. It's made by brewing tea and then chilling it with ice. Iced tea can be served plain or with added flavors such as lemon, honey, or mint. Iced tea is a popular and healthy drink, and there are many different varieties to choose from.

The Best Tea for Iced Tea - Black, Green, and Herbal Infusions

The best tea for iced tea is a matter of personal preference. However, there are three types of tea that are commonly used. These are black tea, green tea, and herbal infusions.

Black tea is the most popular tea used to make iced tea. It has a robust flavour and can hold up well to the addition of sweeteners and other flavours. Some popular black teas for iced tea include Ceylon black tea, Darjeeling, and Earl Grey.

Green tea is lighter and more delicate tea than black tea. It has a slight vegetal flavour and is often used to make iced tea that is a bit more refreshing. Some popular green teas for iced tea include Jasmine, Sencha, and Dragonwell.

Herbal tea is not technically tea, but rather an infusion of herbs, fruits, and flowers. It's a great option for those who want a caffeine-free alternative to traditional tea. Some popular herbal teas for iced tea include mint, chamomile, hibiscus and various fruit teas.

Benefits of Drinking Iced Tea

In addition to being a refreshing drink, iced tea also has several health benefits. Fresh brewed iced tea is always better than carbonated drinks and processed juices. It will keep you hydrated and it’s a great source of antioxidants, which can help boost metabolism. Iced tea also contains less caffeine than coffee, making it a great alternative for those looking to reduce their caffeine intake. Additionally, the goodness of fruits in the tea and garnishing helps keep the immune system and skin healthy.

Infusing Iced Tea with Fruits and Herbs

One of the best things about iced tea is that it's incredibly versatile. You can infuse it with fruits and herbs to create a unique and flavourful drink. Some popular fruits and herbs to add to iced tea include lemons, oranges, strawberries, raspberries, mint, and basil. To infuse your iced tea, simply add the fruit or herbs to the tea while it's steeping. You can also add the fruit or herbs directly to the glass for a more intense flavor and as beautiful garnishing.

5 Delicious and Creative Iced Tea Recipes

Southern Sweet Tea: This is a classic iced tea that is sweet and refreshing. To make it, brew our South Melbourne Breakfast black tea and add sweetener of your choice. Add lemon slices and chill with ice.

Green Tea with Mint and Lemon: This is a refreshing and healthy iced tea that's perfect for a hot summer day. Brew Japanese Sencha green tea, add fresh mint leaves, and stir in honey. Chill with ice and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Lemongrass and Ginger Iced Tea: This iced tea is packed with flavour and antioxidants. Brew Lemongrass Ginger tea, add fresh apple slices, a cinnamon stick, and a handful of mint leaves, and sweeten with honey. Chill with ice and garnish with a slice of orange.

Strawberry Basil Iced Tea: This iced tea is fruity and herbaceous. Brew English Breakfast black tea, add fresh strawberries and basil leaves, and sweetener of your choice. Chill with ice and garnish with a strawberry and a sprig of basil.

Peach Iced Tea: This is a classic iced tea with a sweet and fruity twist. We use oolong tea for this recipe. Brew Sweet Peach tea, add sliced peaches, and sweeten with honey. Chill with ice and garnish with a peach slice.

How to Make Iced Tea with Fruit Infusions

• Brew your tea using your favourite method.
• While the tea is still hot, add your preferred fruit or herb. You can also add sweeteners of your choice at this point.
• Let the tea steep for a few minutes until it's cool enough to add ice.
• Pour the tea into a glass full of ice and garnish.

Tips to Make Perfect Iced Tea Every Time

• Use loose leaf & brew it twice as strong. Eg: If you normally use 1 tsp of Lemongrass Ginger for a hot tea, use 2 tsp for your cold tea. And if you use a standard 230 ml of hot water, drop that down to 150 ml of hot water.⁠
• Go beyond standard green or black teas. Try fruit teas, rooibos teas and flavoured teas. Try different flavours. You never know what you will enjoy. ⁠
• Sweeten with juice or lemonade. Great alternative to sugar.⁠
• Go wild with fruit. ⁠
• Play with herbal infusions. Like fruit, herbs bring a lot of flavour. ⁠
• Just experiment. Unlike coffee, with iced tea if there’s a flavour you like, you can replicate it. You can have fruity, floral, savory, sweet, umami.

Your Perfect Iced Tea Recipe Awaits You!

Iced tea is a classic summer drink that is perfect for staying cool and refreshed. Whether you prefer black, green, or herbal infusions, there's a perfect iced tea recipe out there for you. Try infusing your tea with fruits and herbs for a unique and flavourful twist. Remember to use high-quality tea leaves and fresh ingredients for the best results. Cheers to a refreshing summer ahead!

Try out one of our iced tea recipes and let us know which one is your favourite!

 

 

Want to hold on to summer for just a bit longer? Here is the perfect way to do so. With a delicious cocktail using our favourite Strawberry Guava tea. 

What you need:

• 250ml fresh watermelon juice
• 4 large strawberries
• 3tsp Strawberry Guava brewed in 100ml water
• 100ml vodka (optional)
• Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles

How to make

Step 1: Play Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles. (this is a vital part of this recipe)

Step 2: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend till smooth.

Step 2: Strain over ice and enjoy!

We are particular about tea. It follows that we are particular about everything that surrounds it.

This June, we set out to complete the ritual. The leaf was already there. What it needed was the right vessel.

Robert Gordon has been designing and making pottery in Australia since 1945. Tea Drop has been sourcing tea for three generations. Two names shaped by time, devotion, and the refusal to do things any other way.

When we came across the Robert Gordon Ceylon Cup & Saucer, the choice was easy. This is the cup we would have chosen for ourselves.

It is not coincidence that Robert Gordon named it the Ceylon. 
In Sri Lanka, once known to the world as Ceylon, tea is not a habit. It is a heritage.

Tea Drop's Royal Ceylon Breakfast is sourced from the Ruhuna region, where the humid air and rich red soils produce a leaf that is full-bodied, malty, and best welcomed with milk on a slow morning.

The cup was made for this tea. The tea was grown for this cup.

Tea Drop curates the ritual. Robert Gordon makes the vessel. This June, every order over $90 has included one, complimentary — because some rituals deserve the right vessel.

Only seven days left.

Begin your ritual